Drug Crime Lawyer in Pleasant Hill, MO. Being caught with drugs can send you to jail, even if you weren’t using them. What’s worse, you could face manufacturing allegations, and up to life in prison. On your own, without a premier Pleasant Hill, MO, criminal defense attorney, you could easily get lost in the complex legal system.
Combs Waterkotte is here to help you avoid that fate. When you work with us, you get a lawyer who is ready to defend against any drug charge in Pleasant Hill, MO, and will help you find the best outcome possible for your case.
If you need an expert Pleasant Hill, MO, drug crime lawyer, we’re ready to talk to you today. Talk to one of our representatives today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a no-obligation review of your charges.
Pleasant Hill, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary
In this article, we outline how a drug crime lawyer in Pleasant Hill, MO, will take direct action to help you, Missouri’s illegal substance related laws and consequences, the things you should look for in your drug crimes defense lawyer, and list some helpful 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 Pleasant Hill, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
- Potential Consequences for Different Drug Charges in Pleasant Hill, MO
- Pleasant Hill, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Essential Qualities
- Different Diversionary Pathways for Drug Accusations in Pleasant Hill, MO
- Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
- Contact a Drug Crime Lawyer in Pleasant Hill, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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Over 80 Years
What a Pleasant Hill, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
When you contact an experienced Pleasant Hill, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, we start working on your defense immediately. Whatever your case looks like, you need to work with a team that will protect 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 Side of the 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.
- Stand By You During Interrogations: No matter what, whether or not you broke the law, you need an attorney by your side to ensure that your rights are being protected.
- Argue for Pretrial Release: If you’re facing drug charges in Pleasant Hill, 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.
- Design a 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.
- Negotiate With the State: The prosecutors know that we build every defense as if we’re going to trial, so they know they can’t get away with an unfair offer.
- Fight the State at Trial: 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: After a trial, you might go through sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. We won’t give up until you get justice.
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. 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. Drug charges can often center around intent, because you can be accused if someone with you was using an illegal substance, even if you’re not guilty of using it. For example, if someone using drug paraphernalia left them on your property, you can argue that you did not have intent, and there for are not guilty of possessing or using them.
Substance Analysis Errors
To be convicted of possession, distributing, or manufacturing an illegal substance, the state needs to show that the substance in question was, in fact, illegal. If something is wrong with the way the tests were conducted, we’ll highlight that and have the evidence removed.
Illegal Search and Seizure
Your Fourth Amendment rights protect you against unlawful searches and seizures by law enforcement. This means that law enforcement officers need to either have a warrant or probable cause to search your person or property. Your Pleasant Hill, 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” don’t apply.
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 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 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.
Pleasant Hill, MO, Drug Charges We Defend and Their Consequences
You can face a variety of different drug accusations in Pleasant Hill, MO, and it’s important to work with a reputable drug crime lawyer for any of them. 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 Pleasant Hill, MO. You would ‘possess’ a drug if you allegedly had it on your person, or it was somewhere else, but you had control over it.
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 normally treated more seriously than simple possession. Distribution covers cases where 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: Depending on the exact charge you face, you could be up against anything from a class C felony to a class A felony (ten years to life in prison).
Drug Manufacturing
Drug manufacturing charges in Pleasant Hill, MO, are what you probably expect: cases where a person supposedly made an illegal drug.
Drug Manufacturing Penalty: Manufacturing penalties depend on the type of substance that was allegedly made and the amount. Some other factors, such as if someone was injured in the process, can also elevate the penalties. The sentence 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 make it unsafe to be on the road, you can be accused of a DWI with drugs.
DWI with Drugs Penalty: These sentences vary depending on your driving history. If you’ve never been convicted before, 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: Juveniles accused face the same penalties as listed above. However, youths typically have some additional options available to avoid them. Your juvenile drug crime lawyer can help you maximize your chances of exiting the regular legal process and using a Pleasant Hill, MO, diversionary program.
As you probably noticed, nearly any drug charge has the potential to be a felony. To defend yourself against lifelong consequences, it’s imperitive to work with an expert felony drug crime lawyer to fight your case.
Federal Drug Charges in Pleasant Hill, 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, can be prosecuted by the federal government. If you are facing federal charges, contact a leading federal drug charges lawyer who can take on the United States Government immediately.
What You Need in a Pleasant Hill, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
Your Pleasant Hill, MO, drug crime lawyer can’t be just anyone. If you’re trying to pick a a lawyer, look for someone with the following:
- Established relationships in Pleasant Hill, MO, courtrooms
- An interest in your well-being, not just your case
- Fair and clear payment structures
- Plans on how to defend against your charges
- A track record of success
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.
Missouri’s Drug Treatment and Diversion Programs
Jury trials for drug cases are intimidating. They can be unforgiving and unpredictable. 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 has several different drug treatment courts, adult treatment courts are the most widely available. As the name would imply, these systems offer treatment opportunities over typical punishments.
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 can be equally valuable, though they are not as widely available. Contact a drug crime lawyer to learn about what you have access to in Pleasant Hill, MO.
Getting Help: Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
Drug cases are complicated. The government’s rules don’t always take real-life circumstances 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 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 which can give you another chance.
Your Freedom Is at Stake. Work With a Dominant Pleasant Hill, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
When you work with a Pleasant Hill, MO, drug crime attorney, you need to have high standards. You should be getting ideas and strategies that are tailored to your circumstances.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Successfully handled over 10,000 cases
- Wide-spread criminal defense resources
- Availability around the clock
- A reputation for success
Get in touch with our team at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to speak with a drug crime lawyer today.
