Drug crimes lawyer in Cape Girardeau, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, 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 Cape Girardeau, MO. Our team of skilled drug crimes lawyers is dedicated to fighting aggressively to protect your rights, your freedom, and your reputation
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Chris – Client Testimonial
See what Chris has to say about Combs Waterkotte Law Firm after Combs Waterkotte helped him with his felony charge, and restored him to his everyday life. Criminal Defense Lawyers in Missouri.
Chris – Client Testimonial
See what Chris has to say about Combs Waterkotte Law Firm after Combs Waterkotte helped him with his felony charge, and restored him to his everyday life. Criminal Defense Lawyers in Missouri.
Drug Charges in Cape Girardeau, MO? Trust a Team That Delivers Results
Your future is far too important to gamble with an inexperienced attorney in the Cape Girardeau, MO area. Missouri continues to enforce some of the harshest drug laws in the nation, even with recent changes like partial marijuana decriminalization. Prosecutors are relentless in their pursuit of convictions, but at Combs Waterkotte, we’re even more relentless.
The Combs Waterkotte legal team boasts more than 60 years of combined experience and has successfully handled over 10,000 cases throughout Missouri and the Cape Girardeau area, including:
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Drug Crimes Lawyer in Cape Girardeau, MO: What Determines the Severity?
The severity of the penalties you could face and whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony hinges on:
- The type of controlled substances (see below)
- The amount of the substance in question
- The actuality of any aggravating or mitigating factors
A conviction for drug crimes in Cape Girardeau, MO, has consequences that go far beyond fines or prison time. These long-term effects include:
- Severely limiting your career opportunities.
- Make it near impossible to secure housing or loans.
- Hurting your reputation within your Cape Girardeau, MO community.
- Result in the loss of professional licenses and the ability to acquire one in the future.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Cape Girardeau, 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: Drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and other hallucinogens. These carry the harshest penalties.
- Schedule II are narcotics, stimulants, and the like that have a high potential for abuse and have an accepted medical use (even if severely restricted). They include cocaine, opium, oxycodone, methamphetamine, vicodin, fentanyl, and morphine.
- Schedule III drugs are classified as having a moderate to low potential for physical dependence or high psychological dependence, with accepted medical uses. Examples include weight loss medications, stimulants, antidepressants, and anabolic steroids.
- Schedule IV and Schedule V drugs include numerous prescription drugs, such as Xanax, Valium, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.
Penalties for Possession
Possession of any controlled substance in Cape Girardeau, MO, apart from marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, is a class D felony in Missouri, which can result in up to 7 years in prison. For marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, possessing between 10 and 35 grams is classified as class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail. If the amount exceeds 35g, the charge 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
- Over 30 grams of heroin
- Over 8g of cocaine
- More than 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 for amounts such as:
- More than 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 Cape Girardeau, MO: Building a Strong Defense for Your Case
Time is critical. Contact an experienced drug crimes lawyer at Combs Waterkotte right away by calling Cape Girardeau, MO or reaching out online to discuss the specifics of your case.
Drug crime convictions in Cape Girardeau, 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 powerful defense strategy:
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
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:
- Actual Possession: Direct physical possession, such as having the drugs on your person or in an item under your control.
- Constructive Possession: When you don’t physically possess the drugs but have knowledge of an access to their location with intent to control them.
Proving Lack of Knowledge
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
The chain of custody for evidence must remain intact to ensure its validity in court. Any lapses, such as mishandling during collection or improper storage, may render the evidence inadmissible. This defense is particularly relevant in Cape Girardeau, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.
Insufficient Evidence
The prosecution has the burden to prove your beyond a reasonable doubt in Cape Girardeau, 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.
Duress or Coercion Defense
If you committed a drug crime in Cape Girardeau, 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.
Cape Girardeau County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Cape Girardeau County and Missouri.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Cape Girardeau, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Builds a Strong Defense
At Combs Waterkotte, we leverage our decades of experience, a vast professional network, and unmatched knowledge of Missouri’s drug laws to mount an aggressive defense for you in Cape Girardeau, MO. Here’s how we fight for you in Cape Girardeau, MO:
- Comprehensive Case Investigation:
We dig deep into every aspect of your Cape Girardeau, MO case, from reviewing police procedures to gathering witness testimony, to uncover crucial details that may challenge the prosecution’s narrative. - Challenging Evidence:
Was the evidence obtained lawfully? Were your rights upheld in Cape Girardeau, MO? Our team carefully analyzes the details to ensure any evidence acquired improperly is excluded from court. - Proactive Negotiation:
Occasionally, the ideal outcome is reached outside the courtroom. Our lawyers work diligently to reduce charges, negotiate plea bargains, or secure alternatives to jail time, like probation, drug courts, or treatment or diversion programs However, you always get to make the final decision.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Cape Girardeau, MO: Why Choose Combs Waterkotte?
At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys pride themselves on a results-driven approach and client-focused service in Cape Girardeau, MO. When you hire us, you’ll get:
- Proven Strategies: Our team has a strong track record of securing favorable outcomes in Cape Girardeau, MO drug crime cases.
- Transparent Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way in Cape Girardeau, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
- Personalized Attention: We understand that every Cape Girardeau, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.
When partner with Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in or around Cape Girardeau, MO, you’re not just choosing the ideal drug crimes lawyer in Cape Girardeau, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our knowledgeable drug crimes attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for Cape Girardeau, MO residents:
Facing a Drug Crime in Cape Girardeau, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Now
Don’t let a drug crime define your future and don’t wait to start building your defense. WIth the right legal representation, it’s possible to avoid or minimize the charges. The sooner you have a skilled Combs Waterkotte Cape Girardeau, MO drug crimes lawyer on your side, the better your chances of reaching the best possible outcome. Your freedom is worth fighting for—let us fight for you.
Call Combs Waterkotte right now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review with one of our dedicated drug crimes lawyers in Cape Girardeau, MO.
