Drug Crimes Lawyer Buchanan County, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Buchanan County, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Buchanan County, MO is a serious matter that can alter the course of your life. Whether you’re dealing with a misdemeanor possession charge, a felony trafficking offense, or a federal drug crime, the consequences are steep: substantial fines, years or even life behind bars, a criminal record, and a tarnished reputation. However, with the right Buchanan County, MO drug crimes lawyer, you can take control of your situation and fight back.

If you’re facing a drug crime, call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an expert criminal defense attorney in Buchanan County, MO. Our team of skilled drug crimes lawyers is dedicated to fighting aggressively to protect your rights, your freedom, and your reputation

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

We get it. Your future is on the line, and you can’t afford to test fate and roll the dice with an unproven law firm. Despite recent changes, including the partial decriminalization of marijuana, Missouri still has some of the most stringent drug laws in the country, with some of the toughest penalties. Prosecutors are relentless in pursuing convictions, but no more than we are at defending them.

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 Buchanan County, MO area:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Buchanan County, MO: What Determines the Severity?

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

• The classification of the drug (see below)
• The quantity of drugs in question
• Any aggravating or mitigating factors

A drug crime conviction in Buchanan County, MO can have far-reaching effects on your life. Aside from fines and prison/jail time—which vary depending on the severity of your crime—it can:

• Harm your career and any future employment prospects.
• Making it difficult to find housing or obtain loans.
• A tarnished reputation in your Buchanan County, MO personal and professional circles.
• Loss or denial of professional licensure opportunities.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Buchanan County, MO: Missouri’s Controlled Substances & Penalties

In Missouri, the severity of drug crimes is tied to the state’s classification of controlled substances, as defined under Missouri Revised Statute § 195.017. These schedules, organized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, outline potential penalties based on the drug’s category:

• 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 substances have a lower risk of physical dependence than Schedule I or II drugs but still pose a risk of high psychological dependence. These drugs include anabolic steroids, certain stimulants, antidepressants, and weight loss medications, all of which have accepted medical uses.
• 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 Buchanan 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

Selling or delivering a controlled substance is classified as a class C felony in Buchanan County, MO, carrying a sentence of 3-10 years in prison. However, penalties are heightened if the sale or delivery occurs under specific circumstances:

• Near a Protected Location: Distributing, selling, or delivering drugs within 2,000 feet of a school or 1,000 feet of a park upgrades the charge to a class A felony, with penalties ranging from 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment.
• To a Minor: If the recipient is under 17 years old and at least 2 years younger than you, or if you allow a minor to purchase or transport drugs, the offense becomes a class B felony, with enhanced penalties.

Penalties for Trafficking

Drug trafficking offenses in Buchanan County, MO are divided into two degrees based on the substance and its quantity:

• First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony with a sentence of 5-15 years when involving:
  • More than 10 milligrams of fentanyl
  • Over 30 grams of heroin
  • More than 8g of cocaine
  • Over 30g of methamphetamine

  If larger quantities are involved, the charge is elevated to a class A felony, such as:

  • 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
  • More than 30 kilograms of marijuana
  • Over 30g of methamphetamine

  This offense becomes a class B felony when the amount is:

  • 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 Buchanan County, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case

  Time is critical. Contact an experienced drug crimes lawyer at Combs Waterkotte right away by calling Buchanan County, MO or reaching out online to discuss the specifics of your case.

  Drug crime penalties in Buchanan County, MO are severe, but we know how to scrutinize every detail of your case to uncover weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments. While every case is different, here’s how our drug crimes attorneys can help build a strategic defense:

  Fighting Unreasonable Search and Seizure

  Under the Fourth Amendment, evidence obtained through an illegal search or seizure cannot be used against you. If law enforcement lacked probable cause or failed to obtain a valid warrant, we’ll push to have that evidence excluded. This could be the key to reducing your charges or getting a dismissal.

  Disputing Possession

  Buchanan County, MO possession charges hinge on proving that you had control over the drugs. If the substances were located in a shared area or there’s ambiguity about ownership, we can argue that you were not in possession. Missouri law recognizes two types of possession:

  1. Actual Possession: This means that you had actual physical possession of a drug, whether in your hand, pocket, car, etc.
  2. Constructive Possession: While you may not have actual physical possession of a drug, you might have knowledge of and control of where the drugs are located, along with both the power and intention of physically possessing the drug at some time in the future.

  Proving Lack of Awareness

  The state must prove that you knowingly possessed or distributed the drugs. If there’s no evidence you were aware of the drugs—such as if they were planted or unknowingly left in your home or vehicle—our team can argue that you lacked the required knowledge to establish possession or distribution.

  Errors in Evidence Handling

  For evidence to hold up in court, its handling must follow a documented and uninterrupted chain of custody. Any mistakes in how evidence is collected, transported, or stored can result in its exclusion. This is especially critical in drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases throughout the Buchanan County, MO area.

  Challenging Evidence Sufficiency

  The prosecution has the burden to prove your beyond a reasonable doubt in Buchanan County, MO. If the case relies on circumstantial evidence or lacks direct proof tying you to the alleged crime, your attorney can argue the evidence is insufficient to convict.

  Claiming Duress or Coercion

  If threats or intimidation forced you to commit the alleged offense, a defense of duress may apply in Buchanan County, MO. Similarly, coercion due to an imminent threat of harm could justify your actions and mitigate your culpability.

  Buchanan County Resources
  

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

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

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

  With decades of legal expertise, access to top-notch experts in our network, and a thorough grasp of Missouri’s drug statutes, our team builds robust defense strategies tailored to your Buchanan County, MO case. Here’s how we work to secure the best possible outcome in Buchanan County, MO:

  • In-Depth Case Review:
    Our Buchanan 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 the investigation conducted legally? Were your rights violated? We’ll examine every detail in Buchanan County, MO to make sure that any unlawfully obtained evidence is excluded.
  • Negotiation with Prosecutors:
    Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in Buchanan 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 get to make the final decision.

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Buchanan County, MO: Why Trust Combs Waterkotte?

  At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys pride themselves on a results-driven approach and client-focused service in Buchanan County, MO. When you hire us, you’ll get:

  • Proven Expertise: Our legal team has a proven track record of success in defending Buchanan County, MO drug crimes.
  • Transparent Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way in Buchanan County, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
  • Personalized Attention: We understand that every Buchanan County, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.

  When choose Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in the Buchanan County, MO area, you’re not just selecting a leading drug crimes lawyer in and around Buchanan County, MO – you are securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our experienced drug crimes lawyers, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Buchanan County and beyond:

  • Weapons Crime Attorney
  • DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
  • Violent Crime Lawyer

  Facing a Drug Crime in Buchanan County, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Now

  A drug charge in Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with one of our devoted Buchanan County, MO drug crimes lawyers.