Drug Crime Lawyer in Lathrop, MO. If someone makes drug-related allegations against you, you could be up against life-altering consequences. What’s worse, you could be charged with drug dealing instead of just possession. If you don’t work with a knowledgeable Lathrop, MO, criminal defense lawyer, you could lose access to potential deals and avenues.
Combs Waterkotte has handled over 10,000 cases, many just like yours. Our team of legal experts is ready to defend against any drug charge in Lathrop, MO, and a team that is available around the clock if you have any questions or need any help.
If you need an experienced Lathrop, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re ready to talk to you today. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note on line for a free, confidential consultation.
Lathrop, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Overview
Below, we overview what a drug crime lawyer in Lathrop, MO, does to protect you, Missouri’s illegal substance related laws and consequences, what you need in a drug crimes attorney, and resources which can help people defending against criminal drug allegations in Lathrop, MO.
The links below let you skip ahead to a particular topic, if you want to learn more about a particular area:
- How a Lathrop, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Protects You
- Different Drug Charge Categories in Lathrop, MO
- Lathrop, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Essential Qualities
- Treatment and Diversion Programs for Lathrop, MO, Drug Charges
- Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
- Talk to a Drug Crime Lawyer in Lathrop, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
500+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
What a Lathrop, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
When you call an experienced Lathrop, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, you get skillful legal representation from day one. No matter what stage your case is in, it’s critical to work with a team that will protect your rights and defend your freedom.
Here are the steps we take to help after your call:
- Learn Your Story: This is your case, and your well-being should be at the center of it. We will treat you right and keep you informed through the process.
- Stand By You During Interrogations: No matter what, regardless of the circumstances, having a lawyer in the room with you can protect you from negative outcomes.
- Argue for Pretrial Release: Bail is not guaranteed for all crimes in Lathrop, MO, and getting it depends on certain subjective factors. We will argue that you deserve pretrial release and a reasonable bail amount.
- Decide on a Staunch Defense Strategy: There are a number of defensive tactics available to fight drug charges, but not every one is right for your case. We’ll help you pick the most effective option.
- 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 at Trial: When you need to go before a judge and/or jury, our trial-ready team of drug crime lawyers will present your case in court.
- Continue to Fight for Your Interests at Sentencing/Appeals/Parole: After a trial, you may have the option for sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. Our lawyers can stay by your side and help you explore further options.
Powerful Strategies Our Lawyers Use Against Drug Charges
Your case is unique and deserves a tailor-made defensive plan. 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, you often can be found innocent. This is particularly relevant to drug crime cases, where you can face criminal accusations just for being near an illegal substance, even if you didn’t touch it. For example, if someone hid drugs in your house without your knowledge, you can argue that you did not have the intent to possess them.
Mistaken Substance Analysis
Before you can be convicted, the state needs to prove what that substance was. If the evidence chain of custody was broken, or the lab made a mistake in the analysis, we’ll highlight that and have the evidence removed.
Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
Your Fourth Amendment rights place rules on how law enforcement officers can find evidence. This means that police need to either have a warrant or probable cause to search your person or property. Your Lathrop, MO, drug crime lawyer can cast doubt on whether their reasoning did, in fact, qualify as probable cause.
Entrapment
Police are allowed to conduct undercover operations to catch alleged criminals, but there are limits on what they are allowed to do. If they go too far and cause you to break the law when you wouldn’t have otherwise, that is entrapment. By claiming entrapment, we can successfully argue for many drug charges to be dropped or dismissed.
Drug possession defenses require specialized expertise, because not every type of criminal defense strategy will work for them. This is because many are vice crimes, so strategies like “self-defense” aren’t applicable.
On the other hand, you can fight drug charges in unique ways, with unique defenses. For example, let’s look at a hypothetical marijuana criminal charge. While Missouri has largely decriminalized it, adults over 21 cannot carry more than 3oz of marijuana at a time. If you only had 3oz on you, but something was wrong with the law enforcement’s scale, and it showed more than 3oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you did not violate the law.
Vice Crimes Definition: Vice crimes refer to a category of actions that are illegal, but committing them typically does not harm anyone other than the alleged offender. Common examples include using drugs, violating alcohol regulations, and certain kinds of gambling.
Lathrop, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Penalties
Whatever drug crime you’ve been accused of, you need a strong Lathrop, MO, drug crime lawyer to fight it. We’ve outlined some of the most common types of charges below, along with their penalties:
| Drug Charge Category | Description | Minimum Possible Penalty | Maximum Possible Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Possession | Holding or owning a drug | Class D Misdemeanor | Class D Felony |
| Drug Distribution | Giving out or selling a drug | Class E Felony | Class C Felony |
| Drug Trafficking | Owning or crossing state borders, into Missouri, with large quantities of drugs | Class C Felony | Class A Felony |
| Drug Manufacturing | Growing, mixing, or otherwise making drugs | Class E Felony | Class A Felony |
| DWI With Drugs | Operating a vehicle while affected by drugs | Class B Misdemeanor | Class A Felony (multiple prior offenses) |
| Juvenile Drug Crimes | Any drug charges where the alleged offender was a youth | Varies | Varies |
As you probably noticed, nearly any drug charge has the potential to be a felony. To protect yourself from lifelong consequences, it’s imperitive to work with an accomplished felony drug crime lawyer to protect your freedom.
Federal Drug Charges in Lathrop, MO
Most minor drug crime allegations are prosecuted by the state. But major ones, or cases in which you are alleged to have crossed state lines, are frequently taken over by the federal government. If you are facing federal charges, contact a leading federal drug charges lawyer with the strength to take on the United States Government immediately.
Essential Qualities in a Lathrop, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
A Lathrop, MO, drug crimes attorney with skill and knowledge is essential to help you win your case. An ideal candidate will have:
- Practice fighting cases in Lathrop, MO
- Care for how you’re doing
- Fair and clear payment structures
- Plans on how to defend against your charges
- A track record of success
Combs Waterkotte meets all of the criteria for a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We’re here to help and will battle for your freedom.
Missouri’s Drug Treatment and 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 advise you on special courts and diversionary programs that can offer you alternatives.
While the state of Missouri has many drug treatment courts, most defendants will try to use adult treatment court. These courts were made to help people with substance use disorders fight against addiction, rather than facing typical criminal charges.
If you want to participate in a treatment court, your attorney will need to work with the state to arrange for it. Your lawyer will explain why you are a good candidate for treatment court, and you’ll get access to rehabilitation services while in the program. Typically, drug testing is required on a regular basis in these programs.
Adult treatment court isn’t the only option in Missouri. The state also offers DWI court, family treatment court, and/or juvenile court. These also offer alternatives to prison and the traditional court process, however, not every city has them available. Contact a drug crime lawyer to see what you have access to in Lathrop, MO.
Getting Help: Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
Criminal drug charges are complex. The interactions between law and addiction don’t always make sense. But you can find help. Below, you can review 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
The consequences of a drug charge are a big deal. But with the right drug crime lawyer, you can find options to get back on your feet and move forward.
Get Expert Legal Representation in Lathrop, MO, From a Proven Drug Crime Lawyer
When you work with us, you’re working with a proven Lathrop, MO, drug crime lawyer who takes your case seriously. We are ready to let you know how we can help and will create a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Successfully handled over 10,000 cases
- Expert criminal defense resources
- Availability around the clock
- A stellar reputation amongst clients and peers
Call one of our representatives at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to speak with a drug crime lawyer today.
