Drug Crime Lawyer in Kansas City, MO. Being caught with drugs can send you to jail, even if you weren’t using them. If you’re particularly unlucky, you could face manufacturing allegations, and up to life in prison. On your own, without a proven Kansas City, MO, criminal defense attorney, your chances of a positive outcome are slim.
Combs Waterkotte knows how to fight these cases successfully. Your attorney from Combs Waterkotte is ready to defend against any drug charge in Kansas City, MO, and won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
If you need an expert Kansas City, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re ready to talk to you today. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
Kansas City, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary
On this page, we describe the different steps a drug crime lawyer in Kansas City, MO, takes during a case, the differences between criminal substance allegations in Missouri, the top qualities to look for when deciding on a drug defense attorney, and resources which can help with fighting substance abuse and/or navigating legal complications.
If there’s a specific topic you want to learn more about, you can jump ahead using the links below:
- What a Kansas City, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
- Different Drug Charge Categories in Kansas City, MO
- Qualities to Look For in Your Kansas City, MO Drug Crime Lawyer
- Alternatives to Court for Kansas City, MO, Drug Charges
- Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
- Contact a Drug Crime Lawyer in Kansas City, MO, Today
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What a Kansas City, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Can Do for You
When you call an experienced Kansas City, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, we start working on your defense immediately. Regardless of the particulars, it’s essential to work with a team that will fight for your rights and won’t back down.
Each of our team members is dedicated to giving you the best experience and legal representation possible. Here’s how we do it:
- Let You Tell Your Story: The outcome of your case matters, but so does your experience while you fight it. We want to know you, and how we can best help.
- Protect You During Interrogations: In every case, even if you’re innocent, having a lawyer in the room with you can protect you from negative outcomes.
- Argue for Bail: If you’re facing drug charges in Kansas City, MO, you may or may not get bail; getting it depends on certain subjective factors. We will argue that you deserve pretrial release and a reasonable bail amount.
- Craft a Powerful Defense Strategy: Every case has unique details and circumstances. We can help you find the best defensive strategy to fit yours.
- Explore Plea Deal Options: Plea bargains can be a powerful strategy to find a positive outcome for your case, without the high risk of a trial.
- Defend You in Front of a Jury: When you need to go before a judge and/or jury, our trial-ready team of drug crime lawyers will present your defense in court.
- Represent You for Sentencing/Appeals/Parole: Depending on the result of your trial, you might go through sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. Our lawyers can stay by your side and help you explore further options.
Strong Tactics We Use to Fight Drug Crime Allegations
A leading drug crimes defense attorney should have a variety of defenses to choose from for your case. When you work with us, we’ll look at the below defense strategies and figure out what fits your circumstances best:
Lack of Intent
If you didn’t mean to break the law, many times, you can’t be held liable for your actions. Intentions are critical in drug crime cases. In the wrong circumstances, you can face criminal accusations if someone with you was using an illegal substance, even if they weren’t yours. For example, if there were drugs in your vehicle but they weren’t yours, you can argue that you did not have intent to use them, and because of that, are innocent.
Lab Analysis Errors
If the prosecution wants to convict you, the state needs to correctly identify the substance as something illegal to use or make. If something is wrong with the way the tests were conducted, we will counter it, show the flaws, and have the evidence suppressed.
Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
Your Fourth Amendment rights protect you against unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement. This means that police need to either have a warrant or probable cause to search your person or property. Your Kansas City, MO, drug crime lawyer can question the legitimacy of these warrants and probable cause inferences.
Entrapment
Similar to above, law enforcement has more rules on what they are allowed to do during investigations. They can observe people breaking the law and then arrest them, but if they go too far in encouraging someone to break the law, this is called entrapment. By claiming entrapment, we can successfully argue for many drug charges to be dropped or dismissed.
Drug possession defenses are different from those for some other types of accusations, namely, violent crimes. This is because many are vice crimes, so defenses like “self-defense” aren’t applicable.
On the other hand, for certain drug charges, there are defenses available that wouldn’t work for other kinds of charges. For example, let’s look at a hypothetical marijuana criminal charge. While it is now legal in Missouri, adults over 21 cannot carry more than 3oz of marijuana at a time. If you only had 3oz on you, but a police officer’s scale malfunctioned, and it showed 4oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you were actually innocent.
Vice Crimes Definition: Vice crimes are actions that are illegal and socially unacceptable, but generally don’t hurt other people. Common examples include using drugs, violating alcohol regulations, and certain kinds of gambling.
Common Drug Charges in Kansas City, MO
Whatever drug crime you’ve been accused of, you need a strong Kansas City, MO, drug crime lawyer to fight it. Below, you can read about some typical charges, and what legal consequences you could face if convicted:
Drug Possession
Drug possession is probably the most common drug-related charge in Kansas City, MO. You can be convicted of drug possession if you have an illegal substance, either on your person or located elsewhere.
Drug Possession Penalty: For any substances other than Marijuana, possession is a class D felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to seven years (Marijuana possession is typically much more lenient, either a class A or class D misdemeanor).
Drug Distribution
Drug distribution is a step up from regular possession charges. These charges include when someone allegedly sold an illegal drug, tried to sell it, or even just planned to sell some they had.
Drug Distribution Penalty: Distribution charges can range from a class E felony (up to four years in prison) to a class C felony (three to ten years in prison).
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking has a wide range of definitions in Missouri, but they are all centered on the transport and distribution of large quantities of controlled substances.
Drug Trafficking Penalty: Trafficking charges can come in either first or second degree, and overall range from being a class C felony to a class A felony (ten years to life in prison).
Drug Manufacturing
Drug manufacturing charges arise when someone allegedly grew, mixed, or otherwise made a controlled substance.
Drug Manufacturing Penalty: Sentences for drug manufacturing can vary based on what the drug was and how much was made. Additional prison time can be added in special cases, for example, if the drugs were allegedly made near a school. It can range from a class E felony up to a class A felony.
DWI With Drugs
A DWI with drugs is similar to an alcohol DWI: If you were driving with drugs in your system (even legal ones) that impact your awareness and ability to drive, you can be accused of a DWI with drugs.
DWI with Drugs Penalty: These sentences vary depending on your driving history. If this is your first conviction, the penalty is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail). Additionally, you will face a license suspension.
Juvenile Drug Crimes
Juvenile drug crimes are more of a category than a specific offense. This includes any charges where the accused is under 18. This also includes some special crimes, such as a minor in possession of marijuana.
Juvenile Drug Crimes Penalty: The potential penalties are the same as for adults, but the defense strategies are different. Your juvenile drug crime lawyer can help you look into juvenile diversion programs in Kansas City, MO.
As outlined above, several of the above allegations carry felony consequences if convicted. To protect yourself from lifelong consequences, it’s essential to work with an experienced felony drug crime lawyer to fight your case.
Federal Drug Charges in Kansas City, MO
On top of state charges, there’s another thing to be aware of: Federal charges. For major drug trafficking allegations or transport of illegal substances across state lines, the federal government may decide to prosecute the case. If you are facing federal charges, contact a leading federal drug charges lawyer with the strength to take on the United States Government right away.
What You Need in a Kansas City, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you pick a drug crime lawyer in Kansas City, MO, you need a premier option. An ideal candidate will have:
- Practice fighting cases in Kansas City, MO
- An interest in your well-being, not just your case
- Fair and understandable payment structures
- Knowledge of your specific charges
- A history of positive outcomes for clients
Combs Waterkotte checks off all the boxes for a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We’re here to help and will battle for your freedom.
Legal Alternatives: Missouri Drug Charges and Treatment/Diversion Programs
A trial or a plea deal are the two main ways criminal cases are resolved. However, there is another way. Your drug crime lawyer can help you explore special courts and diversionary programs that can protect your freedom.
While the state of Missouri has many drug treatment courts, adult treatment courts are the most widely available. In an effort to make more long-lasting, positive change in people’s lives, these courts are focused on helping people defeat addictions, rather than punishing them.
The typical process involves the court identifying if someone is a good candidate for treatment services, working with the defense attorney to ensure the candidate’s rights are respected, and providing rehabilitation services to the person once they’re in the program. Regular testing is required to ensure participants remain drug-free.
Some other types of treatment courts in Missouri include DWI court, family treatment court, and/or juvenile court. These offer some of the same benefits, however, not every city has them available. Talk to a drug crime lawyer to learn about what you have access to in Kansas City, MO.
Getting Help: Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
Drug cases are complicated. The way laws regulate drug usage don’t always take the realities of addiction into account. But you can find help. Below, we’ve listed some resources for assistance with both substance abuse and legal complexities:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Missouri Treatment Court Reports
- Missouri Drug Laws Index
- Missouri Legal FAQs
- Legal Glossary
- General Missouri Criminal Defense Resources
Substance abuse and related criminal charges can be devestating. But with the right drug crime lawyer, you can find options which can give you another chance.
You Need a Leading Kansas City, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte
When you work with us, you’re working with a proven Kansas City, MO, drug crime lawyer who is dedicated to fighting on your behalf. We are ready to take any kind of case now and will craft a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Successfully handled over 10,000 cases
- Wide-spread criminal defense resources
- Two former prosecutors who understand how the state thinks
- A stellar reputation amongst clients and peers
Get in touch with our team at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to speak with a drug crime lawyer now.
