Drug Crime Lawyer in Lawson, MO. Being caught with drugs can send you to jail, even if you weren’t using them. What’s worse, you could face elevated charges of distribution or trafficking. If you don’t have a knowledgeable Lawson, MO, criminal defense lawyer, you could easily get lost in the complex legal system.
Combs Waterkotte will fight for your rights and your freedom. Your attorney from our team is ready to defend against any drug charge in Lawson, MO, and will help you find the best outcome possible for your case.
If you need an experienced Lawson, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re just a call away. You can reach us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form for a free, confidential consultation.
Lawson, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary
In this post, we describe the different steps a drug crime lawyer in Lawson, MO, takes during a case, Missouri’s illegal substance related laws and consequences, what you need in a drug crimes attorney, and list some resources which can help with fighting substance abuse and/or navigating legal complications.
You can navigate to a specific section using the links below:
- What a Lawson, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
- Potential Consequences for Different Drug Charges in Lawson, MO
- What You Need in a Lawson, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
- Different Diversionary Pathways for Drug Accusations in Lawson, MO
- Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
- Connect With a Drug Crime Lawyer in Lawson, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
What a Lawson, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Can Do for You
When you contact an expert Lawson, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, we start working on your defense immediately. Wherever you are in the judicial process, it’s critical to have an attorney on your side to fight for your rights and won’t back down.
When you work with our firm, you can expect your drug crime lawyer to do the following:
- Learn Your Story: A legal case is about more than just winning or a verdict. We will treat you right and keep you informed through the process.
- Protect 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 Bail: Bail is not guaranteed for all crimes in Lawson, MO, and getting it depends on certain subjective factors. A lawyer can help you ensure that you receive bail, and lower the cost to something reasonable.
- Design a Powerful 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: The prosecutors know that we build every defense as if we’re going to trial, so we can negotiate from a position of strength.
- 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.
- Continue to Fight for Your Interests at Sentencing/Appeals/Parole: Depending on the result of your trial, you might go through sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. We won’t give up until you get justice.
Powerful Strategies Our Lawyers Use Against Drug Charges
A leading drug crimes defense attorney should have a variety of defenses to choose from for your case. Our attorneys know how to use each of the below criminal defense strategies to maximum effect:
Lack of Intent
If you didn’t mean to break the law, you might have an avenue to show your innocence. This is particularly relevant to drug crime cases, where you can face criminal accusations if someone with you was using 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.
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 Lawson, MO, drug crime lawyer can cast doubt on whether their reasoning did, in fact, qualify as probable cause.
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, you can fight drug charges in unique ways, with unique defenses. 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 something was wrong with the law enforcement’s scale, and it showed 3.5oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you did not violate the law.
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.
Lawson, MO, Drug Charges We Fight and Their Penalties
There’s no such thing as a drug accusation in Lawson, MO, that isn’t serious. We’ve outlined some of the most common types of charges below, along with their penalties:
Drug Possession
Drug possession is in many ways the default drug crime people are accused of in Lawson, MO. ‘Possession’ is generally defined as holding it, having it in your pocket, or controlling it (even if it wasn’t literally on you).
Drug Possession Penalty: For any substances besides Marijuana, possession is a class D felony, with up to seven years in prison if convicted (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 charges most often apply in cases with a large quantity of illegal substances. Trafficking is mostly centered around transporting drugs into Missouri, but even just possessing enough can lead to trafficking charges.
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: Different drug manufacturing cases can face different penalties, depending on the type and quantity produced. Some other factors, such as if someone was injured in the process, can also elevate the penalties. A conviction 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 operating a vehicle while affected by any drugs (even legal ones) that could impair your ability to drive, you can face drug DWI accusations.
DWI with Drugs Penalty: The penalty depends on whether you have any previous DWI convictions. If you’ve never been convicted before, the penalty is a class B misdemeanor (up to six months in jail). On top of that, you will face a license suspension.
Juvenile Drug Crimes
Juvenile drug charges need special treatment from a defense attorney to fight properly. These typically include variations on the allegations listed above. This also includes some special crimes, such as a minor in possession of marijuana.
Juvenile Drug Crimes Penalty: Convictions can carry the same sentences for juveniles as for adults. That said, diversionary programs can help youths avoid the worst. Your juvenile drug crime lawyer can help you look into juvenile diversion programs in Lawson, MO.
In Missouri, nearly any drug charge has the potential to be a felony. To defend yourself against years behind bars, it’s imperitive to work with a skillful felony drug crime lawyer to build your defense.
Federal Drug Charges in Lawson, MO
In addition to state charges, there’s another thing to be aware of: Federal charges. If the alleged crime took place on federal land, or across multiple states, 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 as soon as possible.
Essential Qualities in a Lawson, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you pick a drug crime lawyer in Lawson, MO, you need a premier option. If you’re trying to pick a a lawyer, look for the following:
- Practice fighting cases in Lawson, MO
- Compassion for your situation and well-being
- Fair and open payment structures
- Familiarity with the statute(s) you’re accused of violating
- Experience working with the state and insights into their strategies
Combs Waterkotte offers everything you need in a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We can offer you expert legal counsel and guidance on how to move forward.
Treatment and Diversion Programs for Lawson, MO, Drug Charges
A trial or a plea deal are the two main ways criminal cases are resolved. With help, though, you might be able to take another route. Your drug crime lawyer can help you explore special courts and diversionary programs that can protect your freedom.
While the state of Missouri has several different 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.
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. Regular testing is required to ensure participants remain drug-free.
Depending on where you live in Missouri, you may also have the opportunity to take part in DWI court, family treatment court, and/or juvenile court. These offer some of the same benefits, though they are not as widely available. Contact a drug crime lawyer to see what you have access to in Lawson, MO.
Getting Help: Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
Drug cases are complicated. 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 the addiction layer and the legal layer:
- 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
Facing drug charges can turn your life upside down. But with the right drug crime lawyer, you can find options to get back on your feet and move forward.
You Need a Leading Lawson, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte
When you work with a Lawson, MO, drug crime attorney, you need to have high standards. You should be getting expert legal representation and working with someone who puts you first.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Successfully handled over 10,000 cases
- Extensive criminal defense resources
- A client-centered approach
- Over 500 five star reviews
Reach out to us at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to connect with a drug crime lawyer today.
