Drug Crime Lawyer in Weatherby Lake, 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. Without the help of a knowledgeable Weatherby Lake, MO, criminal defense lawyer, your chances of a positive outcome are slim.
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 Weatherby Lake, MO, and won’t stop fighting until you get the justice you deserve.
If you need an experienced Weatherby Lake, MO, drug crime lawyer, it’s easy to get a hold of us. Speak with a member of our team now at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online for a no strings attached case review.
Weatherby Lake, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer: Page Summary
Below, we describe the different steps a drug crime lawyer in Weatherby Lake, 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 available to help people facing drug charges in Weatherby Lake, MO.
The links below let you skip ahead to a particular topic, if you want to learn more about a particular area:
- What a Weatherby Lake, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Does
- Potential Consequences for Different Drug Charges in Weatherby Lake, MO
- Qualities to Look For in Your Weatherby Lake, MO Drug Crime Lawyer
- Different Diversionary Pathways for Drug Accusations in Weatherby Lake, MO
- Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
- Connect With a Drug Crime Lawyer in Weatherby Lake, MO, Today
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
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Legal Experience
Over 80 Years
How a Weatherby Lake, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer Fights for You
When you contact an experienced Weatherby Lake, MO, drug crime lawyer from Combs Waterkotte, we start working on your defense immediately. Whatever your case looks like, it’s critical to work with an attorney who will fight for your rights and won’t back down.
Each of our team members is dedicated to giving you the best experience and legal representation possible. Here’s how we do it:
- Learn Your Story: The outcome of your case matters, but so does your experience while you fight it. We will treat you right and keep you informed through the process.
- Protect 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 Bail: Bail is not guaranteed for all crimes in Weatherby Lake, 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: 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: 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 at Trial: If the negotiations don’t give us an outcome that you find acceptable, our trial-ready team of drug crime lawyers will defend you in court.
- Continue to Fight for Your Interests at Sentencing/Appeals/Parole: Depending on the result of your trial, you may have the option for sentencing, appeal, and/or parole hearings. We won’t give up until you get justice.
Powerful 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. 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. Drug charges can often center around intent, because you can face criminal accusations just for being near a controlled 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.
Mistaken Substance Analysis
If the prosecution wants to convict you, the state needs to show that the substance in question was, in fact, illegal. If there was an error in the scientific analysis used to identify it, we will counter it, show the flaws, and have the evidence suppressed.
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 Weatherby Lake, MO, drug crime lawyer can question the legitimacy of these warrants and probable cause inferences.
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. 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 a police officer’s scale malfunctioned, and it showed 3.5oz, 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, prostitution, and certain kinds of gambling.
Drug Allegations We Fight in Weatherby Lake, MO
There’s no such thing as a drug accusation in Weatherby Lake, MO, that isn’t serious. Here are some of the charges we will defend you against:
Drug Possession
Drug possession is probably the most common drug-related charge in Weatherby Lake, 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 controlled substances besides Marijuana, possession is a class D felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to seven years (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 there was any intention to sell a controlled substance, whether or not it was followed through upon.
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 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: 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 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. The exact level of felony also depends on other circumstances, such as if someone was hurt or killed in the production process. The sentence 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: Previous DWIs can increase the penalties for subsequent 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 explore what youth diversionary options are available in Weatherby Lake, MO.
As you probably noticed, several of the above allegations carry felony consequences if convicted. If you want to avoid years behind bars, it’s imperitive to work with an experienced felony drug crime lawyer to fight your case.
Federal Drug Charges in Weatherby Lake, 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 proven federal drug charges lawyer with the strength to take on the United States Government as soon as possible.
What to Look For in a Weatherby Lake, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer
A Weatherby Lake, MO, drug crimes attorney with skill and knowledge is essential to help you win your case. If you want to maximize your chances of a positive outcome, you need someone who has all of the following:
- Established relationships in Weatherby Lake, MO, courtrooms
- Compassion for your situation and well-being
- Upfront and open 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 are committed to your case and will always be honest with you about it.
Treatment and Diversion Programs for Weatherby Lake, MO, Drug Charges
Jury trials for drug cases are intimidating. They can be unforgiving and unpredictable. However, there is another way. Your drug crime lawyer can help you explore special courts and diversionary programs that can keep you out of jail.
While Missouri has several different 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.
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.
Adult treatment court isn’t the only option in Missouri. The state also offers 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 Weatherby Lake, MO.
Getting Help: Substance Abuse and Legal Resources
Drug cases are convoluted. The way laws regulate drug usage don’t always take the realities of addiction into account. But there are ways to find help. Below, you can access 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
The consequences of a drug charge are a big deal. But with the right drug crime lawyer, you can find options that help you start over.
You Need a Leading Weatherby Lake, MO, Drug Crime Lawyer. You Need Combs Waterkotte
Your Weatherby Lake, MO, drug crime lawyer should be doing more than “good enough” for your case. You should be getting advice on how to best handle your case from day one.
At Combs Waterkotte, we have:
- Over 80 years of combined legal experience
- Extensive 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 now.
