Drug Crime Lawyer in Maysville, MO. Being caught with drugs can send you to jail, even if you weren’t using them. What’s worse, you could be charged with drug dealing instead of just possession. Without the help of a proven Maysville, MO, criminal defense lawyer, you’ll be in a tough battle against the state prosecutor.
Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to ensuring our clients get fair, expert legal representation. Our team of legal experts is ready to defend against any drug charge in Maysville, MO, and a team that is available around the clock if you have any questions or need any help.
If you need an experienced Maysville, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re just a call away. Speak with a lawyer now at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a free, confidential consultation.
Maysville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Overview
In this post, we describe the different steps a drug crime lawyer in Maysville, 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 people defending against criminal drug allegations in Maysville, MO.
You can navigate to a specific section using the links below:
- The Role of a Maysville, MO, Drug Crime Defense Attorney
- Potential Consequences for Different Drug Charges in Maysville, MO
- Maysville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Essential Qualities
- Different Diversionary Pathways for Drug Accusations in Maysville, MO
- Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
- Connect With a Drug Crime Lawyer in Maysville, MO, Today
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What a Maysville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Can Do for You
When you call an expert Maysville, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, we start working on your defense immediately. Regardless of the particulars, it’s imperative to have an attorney on your side to fight for your rights and defend your freedom.
When you work with our firm, you can expect your drug crime lawyer to do the following:
- Listen to Your Story: The outcome of your case matters, but so does your experience while you fight it. We’re dedicated to treating you like a person, not a case number.
- Guide You Through Police Interviews: In every case, regardless of the circumstances, having a lawyer in the room with you can protect you from negative outcomes.
- Fight for Bail: If you’re facing drug charges in Maysville, 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.
- Decide on a Defense: Every case has unique details and circumstances. We can help you find the best defensive strategy to fit yours.
- Negotiate With the State: Using our strategy and any available evidence, we’ll bargain with the district attorney to see if we can have your charges dropped or dismissed.
- Fight the State in Front of a Jury: If the negotiations don’t give us an outcome that you find acceptable, 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 might go through sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. We don’t stop after the verdict. If you still need help, we’re still available to offer it.
Powerful Drug Crime Defense Strategies
A leading drug crimes defense attorney should have a variety of defenses to choose from for your case. Below are some of the common strategies that your Maysville, MO, drug crime lawyer should consider:
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 be accused just for being near 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 the intent to possess them.
Substance 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 there was an error in the scientific analysis used to identify it, we’ll highlight that and have the evidence removed.
Illegal Search and Seizure
Your Fourth Amendment rights place rules on how law enforcement officers can find evidence. This means that police cannot search you for evidence with either a warrant or probable cause. Your Maysville, MO, drug crime lawyer can help you determine if your rights were violated or not.
Entrapment
entrapment is a process where a state official (likely undercover) causes a person to commit an illegal act, when they wouldn’t have otherwise. If you were a victim of entrapment, that can be grounds for a dismissal of your charges.
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 defenses like “self-defense” don’t apply.
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 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 3.5oz, you can claim that there was a measurement error and you were actually innocent.
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, prostitution, and certain kinds of gambling.
Maysville, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Consequences
Whatever drug crime you’ve been accused of, you need a strong Maysville, MO, drug crime lawyer to fight it. Here are some of the charges we will defend you against:
Drug Possession
Drug possession is probably the most common drug-related charge in Maysville, 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 besides Marijuana, possession is a class D felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to seven years (Marijuana possession is treated less harshly, and is either a class A or class D misdemeanor).
Drug Distribution
Drug distribution is a step up from regular possession charges. These charges include when there was any intention to sell a controlled substance, whether or not it was followed through upon.
Drug Distribution Penalty: Distribution 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. The exact level of felony also depends on other circumstances, such as if someone was hurt or killed in the production process. A conviction can range from a class E felony up to a class A felony.
DWI With Drugs
A DWI with drugs is not that different than one with alcohol: If you were driving with drugs in your system (even legal ones) that make it unsafe to be on the road, you can be accused of a DWI with drugs.
DWI with Drugs Penalty: The penalty depends on whether you have any previous DWI convictions. 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 Maysville, MO.
As outlined above, most of these allegations can be charged as a felony. If you want to avoid lifelong consequences, it’s essential to work with an accomplished felony drug crime lawyer to protect your freedom.
Federal Drug Charges in Maysville, MO
In cases where the federal government has decided to take over, building a strong defense is even more important. Federal prosecutors are often even tougher than state prosecutors, and frequently have higher conviction rates. 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.
Essential Qualities in a Maysville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you pick a drug crime lawyer in Maysville, MO, you need a premier option. An ideal candidate will have:
- Experience in Maysville, MO, courtrooms
- Care for how you’re doing
- Fair and open payment structures
- Familiarity with the statute(s) you’re accused of violating
- A history of positive outcomes for clients
Combs Waterkotte offers everything you need in 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. But there are more options. Your drug crime lawyer advise you on special courts and diversionary programs that can offer you alternatives.
While the state of Missouri offers many drug treatment courts, adult treatment courts are the most widely available. These courts were made to help people with substance use disorders fight against addiction, rather than facing typical criminal charges.
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. Typically, drug testing is required on a regular basis in these programs.
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 Maysville, MO.
Getting Help: Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
Criminal drug charges are complex. The way laws regulate drug usage don’t always take the realities of addiction into account. But there are ways forward. Below, you can review some resources for assistance with both drug addiction 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.
Your Freedom Is at Stake. Work With a Premier Maysville, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
Your Maysville, MO, drug crime lawyer should be doing more than “good enough” for your case. 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
- Two former prosecutors who understand how the state thinks
- A reputation for success
Call one of our team members at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to connect with a drug crime lawyer now.
