Drug Crime Lawyer in Norborne, MO. Even just “simple possession” of an illegal substance can land you in prison. If you’re particularly unlucky, you could face elevated charges of distribution or trafficking. Without the help of a proven Norborne, MO, criminal defense lawyer, you could lose access to potential deals and avenues.
Combs Waterkotte is dedicated to ensuring our clients get fair, expert legal representation. Your attorney from Combs Waterkotte is ready to defend against any drug charge in Norborne, MO, and a team that is available around the clock if you have any questions or need any help.
If you need an experienced Norborne, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re just a call away. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or send us a note on line for a free, confidential consultation.
Norborne, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary
In this post, we outline how a drug crime lawyer in Norborne, MO, will take direct action to help you, the different drug charges you can face in Missouri, what you need in a drug crimes attorney, and resources which can help with fighting substance abuse and/or navigating legal complications.
You can navigate to a specific section using the links below:
- How a Norborne, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Protects You
- Potential Consequences for Different Drug Charges in Norborne, MO
- What You Need in a Norborne, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
- Treatment and Diversion Programs for Norborne, MO, Drug Charges
- Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
- Connect With a Drug Crime Lawyer in Norborne, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
500+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
What a Norborne, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
When you contact an expert Norborne, 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 have an attorney on your side to protect your rights and won’t back down.
When you work with our firm, you can expect your drug crime lawyer to do the following:
- Listen to Your Story: This is your case, and your well-being should be at the center of it. We’re dedicated to treating you like a person, not a case number.
- Guide You Through Police Interviews: No matter what, even if you’re innocent, you need an attorney by your side to ensure that your rights are being protected.
- Fight for Bail: If you’re facing drug charges in Norborne, MO, you may or may not get bail; getting it depends on certain subjective factors. Our team will fight for your freedom and a low bail amount.
- Design a Defense Strategy: Based on the specifics of your case, we’ll work together to come up with a powerful defense strategy to fight the prosecution.
- Explore Plea Deal Options: Using our strategy and any available evidence, we’ll negotiate with the prosecution to see if we can have your charges dropped or dismissed.
- Fight the State at Trial: Not every case ends with a plea deal. If you choose to go to trial, our trial-ready team of drug crime lawyers will defend you in court.
- Represent You for Sentencing/Appeals/Parole: Depending on the result of your trial, you may have the option for 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.
Strong Drug Crime Defense Strategies
There are many tactics that we can use when fighting drug charges. 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, many times, you can’t be held liable for your actions. Drug charges can often center around intent, because you can be accused just for being near a controlled substance, even if you didn’t touch it. 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.
Mistaken Substance Analysis
To be convicted of possession, distributing, or manufacturing an illegal substance, the state needs to correctly identify the substance as something illegal to use or make. If the evidence chain of custody was broken, or the lab made a mistake in the analysis, we can exploit that to have the evidence thrown out.
Fourth Amendment Rights Violation
Your Fourth Amendment rights restrict the police’s ability to search you for evidence. This means that police cannot search you for evidence with either a warrant or probable cause. Your Norborne, MO, drug crime lawyer can help you determine if your rights were violated or not.
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 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 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 more than 3oz, 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.
Drug Allegations We Fight in Norborne, MO
There’s no such thing as a drug accusation in Norborne, MO, that isn’t serious. Below, you can read about some typical charges, and what legal consequences you could face if convicted:
Drug Possession
Drug possession is in many ways the default drug crime people are accused of in Norborne, 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 can either be a class A or class D misdemeanor).
Drug Distribution
Drug distribution is a step up from regular possession charges. Distribution covers cases where 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 refers to situations where someone produced an illegal drug.
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 often treated very much like a DWI with alcohol: 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: Previous DWIs can increase the penalties for subsequent DWI convictions. If this is your first conviction, 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
If the alleged offender was under the age of 18 when they supposedly broke any of the above laws, that is a juvenile drug crime case. 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 explore what youth diversionary options are available in Norborne, MO.
As outlined above, most of these allegations can be charged as a felony. To protect yourself from years behind bars, it’s essential to work with a talented felony drug crime lawyer to protect your freedom.
Federal Drug Charges in Norborne, MO
Beyond 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 immediately.
What You Need in a Norborne, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you pick a drug crime lawyer in Norborne, MO, you need a premier option. An ideal candidate will have:
- Established relationships in Norborne, MO, courtrooms
- Care for how you’re doing
- Fair and understandable payment structures
- Plans on how to defend against your charges
- Experience working with the state and insights into their strategies
Combs Waterkotte meets all of the criteria for a high-quality drug crime lawyer. We can offer you expert legal counsel and guidance on how to move forward.
Missouri’s Drug Treatment and Diversion Programs
Jury trials for drug cases are intimidating. They can be unforgiving and unpredictable. 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 offer you alternatives.
While the state of Missouri has many drug treatment courts, most defendants will try to use adult treatment court. As the name would imply, these systems offer treatment opportunities over typical punishments.
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.
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 also offer alternatives to prison and the traditional court process, however, not every city has them available. Contact a drug crime lawyer to learn about what you have access to in Norborne, MO.
Getting Help: Resources to Help With Substance Abuse and Drug Crime Allegations
Drug cases are convoluted. The way laws regulate drug usage don’t always take the realities of addiction into account. But you can find help. Below, you can review some resources for assistance with both the addiction layer and the legal layer:
Substance Abuse Assistance Resources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA is an official government organization that offers support options for people fighting addiction. They also feature FindTreatment.gov, which offers confidential and anonymous assistance with getting help.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
NIDA is primarily an informational resource, but the organization also conducts research trials into new potential treatment options.
Missouri Treatment Court Reports
This Missouri government resource can help you get an idea of where the nearest treatment courts are to you, and includes additional resources for finding additional information on them as an option.
Missouri Drug Charges Legal Resources
Missouri Drug Laws Index
Because Missouri law isn’t always written in a straightforward manner, we’ve rewritten some of the key drug statutes in plain English for you to review.
Missouri Legal FAQs
Our legal FAQs provide answers to some of the most common criminal defense questions in Missouri, including for drug crime accusations.
Legal Glossary
Our legal glossary can help you understand the meanings behind different legal terms. If you’ve been given a court document that you can’t make sense of, this can be a useful resource.
Substance abuse and related criminal charges can be devestating. 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 Norborne, MO, From a Proven Drug Crime Lawyer
When you work with us, you’re working with a proven Norborne, MO, drug crime lawyer who takes your case seriously. We are ready to take any kind of case now and will create a defense you can be proud of.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Over 80 years of combined legal experience
- Expert criminal defense resources
- Availability around the clock
- Over 500 five star reviews
Call us at (314) 900-HELP or use our online contact form to talk to a drug crime lawyer now.
