Drug Crimes Lawyer Boone County, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Boone County, MO.

In Boone County, MO, charges from drug crimes can bring overwhelming challenges—looming over you, your freedom, future, and reputation—that demand immediate action. From a misdemeanor possession to a felony trafficking case or even a federal drug offense, the penalties can be life-altering—costly fines, lengthy incarceration, and a permanent record. With an experienced Boone County, MO drug crimes lawyer by your side, you gain a powerful advocate ready to challenge the charges against you.

Act now to protect your future. Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free consultation. Let our dedicated drug crimes lawyers in Boone County, MO stand with you during this challenging time.

Charged With a Drug Crime in Boone County, MO? You Need Experience on Your Side

When your future is at stake, there’s no room for uncertainty in Boone County, MO. Missouri’s drug laws remain some of the toughest in the nation, and prosecutors work tirelessly to secure convictions. At Combs Waterkotte though, we exceed that determination with aggressive defense strategies that have consistently delivered results for our clients.

The Combs Waterkotte legal team has more than 40 years of experience and has successfully handled over 10,000 cases in the following fields and more throughout Missouri and the Boone County, MO area:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Boone County, MO: How is the Severity Determined?

The seriousness of the penalties you face—whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony—depends on several factors, including:

• The type of drugs (see details below)
• The amount of the substance in question
• Any aggravating or mitigating elements

A Boone County, MO drug crime conviction can disrupt your life in ways beyond immediate penalties like fines or jail time. The consequences may include:

• Barriers to finding or advancing in a career.
• Difficulty securing housing or obtaining loans.
• Hurting your reputation within your Boone County, MO community.
• Result in the loss of professional licenses and the ability to acquire one in the future.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Boone County, MO: Know Missouri’s Controlled Substances and Penalties

The severity of drug charges in Missouri is determined by the state’s classification of controlled substances under Missouri Revised Statute § 195.017, managed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Here’s a breakdown:

• Schedule I: These drugs, including heroin, LSD, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and the like, have no accepted medical use and the highest potential for abuse, resulting in the most severe penalties.
• Schedule II: While substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine have limited medical uses, their high potential for abuse means they are still strictly regulated.
• Schedule III drugs can lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence, and have a currently accepted medical treatment, including weight loss drugs, stimulants, antidepressants, and anabolic steroids.
• Schedule IV and Schedule V substances, which include prescription drugs like Valium, Xanax, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica, are considered to have a lower potential for abuse and dependence.

Penalties for Possession

The possession of a controlled substance in Boone County, MO, other than marijuana or a synthetic cannabinoid, constitutes a class D felony, carrying penalties of up to 7 years in prison. Possession of between 10 and 35 grams of marijuana or any synthetic cannabinoid is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year incarceration. If the amount is more than 35 grams, it is a class D felony.

Penalties for Sale or Delivery

Delivery of a controlled substance is a class C felony, punishable by 3-10 years in prison, unless you deliver to a:

• Protected Location: You face a class A felony—10 to 30 years or life in prison—if you knowingly distribute, sell, or deliver within 2,000 feet of a school or 1,000 feet of a park.
• Minor: You face a class B felony if the recipient is younger than 17 and at least 2 years younger than you or you knowingly permit a minor to purchase or transport illegally obtained controlled substances.

Penalties for Trafficking

Missouri has two degrees of drug trafficking:

• First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony, which carries 5-15 years in prison, when the drugs involve:
  • Over 10 milligrams of fentanyl
  • More than 30 grams of heroin
  • Over 8g of cocaine
  • Over 30g of methamphetamine

  This offense becomes a class A felony when the amount increases to:

  • 20mg or more of fentanyl
  • 90g or more of heroin
  • 24g or more of cocaine
  • 90g or more of methamphetamine
• Second-degree trafficking is a class C felony when the drugs involve:
  • Over 10mg of fentanyl
  • Over 30g of heroin
  • Over 30 kilograms of marijuana
  • More than 30g of methamphetamine

  When quantities exceed the thresholds below, the charges is elevated to a class B felony:

  • 90g or more of heroin
  • 24g or more of cocaine
  • 100kg or more of marijuana
  • More than 500 marijuana plants
  • 20mg or more of fentanyl

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Boone County, MO: Protecting Your Rights and Future

  Being charged with a drug crime in Boone County, MO can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Call the knowledgeable attorneys at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a review of your case.

  Drug crime convictions in Boone County, MO come with severe consequences, but our skilled attorneys can quickly and thoroughly identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. While no two cases are alike, here’s how we work to build a strategic defense:

  Fighting Unreasonable Search and Seizure

  The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. If evidence was gathered without probable cause or a valid warrant, we’ll fight to have it suppressed. This can significantly weaken the case against you and may even lead to a reduction or dismissal of charges.

  Disputing Possession

  Possession charges require sufficient evidence of possession of the drugs. If the drugs were found in a shared space or if ownership is unclear, we can argue that you were not in possession. There are two types of possession:

  1. Actual Possession: Direct physical possession, such as having the drugs on your person or in an item under your control.
  2. Constructive Possession: This refers to having knowledge of and control over the location of drugs, coupled with the ability and intention to possess them in the future.

  Arguing Lack of Awareness

  Missouri law requires the prosecution to demonstrate that you knowingly possessed or distributed the drugs. If evidence shows you were unaware of their presence—such as drugs being planted or left in your possession unknowingly—we can argue that you lacked the requisite knowledge to be held accountable.

  Highlighting Breaks in Chain of Custody

  For evidence to be admissible in court, it must have an unbroken chain of custody. Any errors or mishandling of evidence during its collection, transport, or storage could lead to it being excluded from the case. This is particularly important in Boone County, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.

  Challenging Evidence Sufficiency

  The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is circumstantial or fails to directly link you to the drug crime in question, your lawyer can challenge the sufficiency of the case against you in Boone County, MO.

  Duress or Coercion Defense

  If you committed a drug crime in Boone County, MO because you were under a credible threat of harm, your lawyer might argue duress as a defense. Similarly, if coercion led to your actions under immediate physical threat, this can challenge your accountability for the crime.

  Boone County Resources
  

  Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Boone County and Missouri.

  • Missouri Criminal Defense Resources
  • Missouri Criminal Court Process
  • Missouri Revised Statutes
  • Missouri Courts
  • Missouri Department of Revenue
  • Boone County Website
  • Boone County Court
  • Boone County Jail
  • SLU School of Law
  • Christopher Combs
  • OCU School of Law
  • Steven Waterkotte

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Boone County, MO: Building Your Robust Defense With Combs Waterkotte

  Our attorneys leverage decades of experience, a large network of experts, and a deep understanding of Missouri’s drug laws to craft a compelling defense. Here’s how we fight for you in Boone County, MO:

  • In-Depth Case Review:
    Our Boone County, MO attorneys meticulously review every detail, from police reports to witness statements, to identify inconsistencies or oversights that could weaken the prosecution’s case.
  • Scrutinizing Evidence:
    Was proper procedure followed during your Boone County, MO arrest and investigation? We’ll challenge any unlawfully obtained evidence to make sure your rights are protected.
  • Negotiation with Prosecutors:
    Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in Boone County, MO. We fight for reduced charges, fair plea bargains, or alternatives like drug treatment programs, always keeping your future in mind However, you always have the final say.

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Boone County, MO: Why Choose Combs Waterkotte?

  When you hire Combs Waterkotte for your Boone County, MO drug crime defense, you’re choosing a firm that prioritizes results and personalized care. Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Proven Expertise: We’ve built a solid reputation in Boone County and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
  • Clear Communication: Transparency is key—we make sure you’re never left wondering about your Boone County, MO case’s progress.
  • Personalized Attention: We treat every Boone County, MO case with the urgency and care it deserves. You’re never on the backburner.

  If choose Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in the Boone County, MO area, you aren’t just hiring a top-rated drug crimes lawyer in Boone County, MO and beyond – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our knowledgeable drug crimes lawyers, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Boone County and beyond:

  • Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
  • Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
  • Weapons Crime Attorney

  Charged With a Drug Crime in Boone County, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now

  A drug charge in Boone County, MO doesn’t have to define your future, but swift action is essential. With skilled legal counsel, you can fight to reduce or eliminate the charges against you. The experienced Combs Waterkotte Boone County, MO drug crimes lawyers are ready to stand by your side and protect your rights. Don’t wait—your future depends on it.

  Call Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review with one of our devoted drug crimes lawyers in Boone County, MO.