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Clinton County, MO

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Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Drug crimes lawyer in Clinton County, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Clinton 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 Clinton 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 Clinton County, 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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Charged With a Drug Crime in Clinton 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 boasts more than 40 years of combined experience and has successfully handled over 10,000 cases throughout Missouri and the Clinton County area, including:

Drug Crimes Lawyer Clinton County, MO | Criminal Defense Attorneys in Clinton County, MO | Combs Waterkotte

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Clinton County, MO: What Affects the Severity of Your Charges?

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

A drug crime conviction in Clinton 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:

  • Barriers to finding or advancing in a career.
  • Make it near impossible to secure housing or loans.
  • Damage your reputation in your Clinton County, MO community.
  • Loss or denial of professional licensure opportunities.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Clinton 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: 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: 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 drugs include numerous prescription drugs, such as Xanax, Valium, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.

Penalties for Possession

In Clinton County, MO, possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids is treated as a class D felony, with potential penalties of up to 7 years in prison. If you’re caught with between 10 and 35 grams of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, the charge is a class A misdemeanor, carrying up to 1 year in jail. Possession of more than 35g escalates to a class D felony.

Penalties for Sale or Delivery

Delivery of a controlled substance in Clinton County, MO is treated as a class C felony, punishable by 3-10 years in prison. However, additional circumstances can lead to more severe charges:

  • Proximity to a Protected Area: Selling or delivering drugs within 2,000 feet of a school or 1,000 feet of a park is considered a class A felony, carrying 10 to 30 years or even life imprisonment.
  • Involving a Minor: Distributing drugs to someone under 17 who is at least 2 years younger than you, or allowing a minor to handle controlled substances, is a class B felony with enhanced sentencing.

Penalties for Trafficking

Drug trafficking offenses in Clinton 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
    • 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:
    • Over 10mg of fentanyl
    • More than 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 Clinton County, MO | Criminal Defense in Clinton County, MO | Combs Waterkotte

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Clinton County, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case

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

    Drug crime convictions in Clinton 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 robust defense strategy:

    Fighting Unlawful Search and Seizure

    The Fourth Amendment safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement obtained evidence without probable cause or a valid warrant, your attorney might argue to suppress that evidence, weakening the prosecution’s case and possibly getting your charges minimized or dismissed.

    Challenge Possession

    Clinton 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: 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 Knowledge

    Under Missouri law, the prosecution is required to show that you knowingly possessed or distributed drugs. Our lawyers can work to prove that you were unaware of the drugs’ presence—whether they could have been placed in your vehicle, home, or property without your knowledge.

    Errors in Evidence Handling

    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 Clinton County, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.

    Insufficient Evidence

    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 Clinton County, MO.

    Claiming Duress or Coercion

    If you were forced to commit a drug crime under threat of harm, we may use duress as a defense to challenge your culpability. Similarly, if you faced an immediate threat of bodily harm and no alternative means, your lawyer can claim coercion occurred.

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Clinton County, 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 Clinton County, MO. Here’s how we work to protect your rights in Clinton County, MO:

    • Comprehensive Case Investigation:
      We leave no stone unturned. From meticulously combing through police reports to interviewing witnesses, we uncover the facts that can challenge the prosecution’s case.
    • Challenging Evidence:
      Was the investigation conducted legally? Were your rights violated? We’ll examine every detail in Clinton County, MO to make sure that any unlawfully obtained evidence is excluded.
    • 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 | Clinton County, MO Criminal Defense Attorneys | Combs Waterkotte

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

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

    • Proven Results: Our team has a strong track record of securing favorable outcomes in Clinton County, MO drug crime cases.
    • Consistent Updates: We keep you informed every step of the way in Clinton County, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
    • Tailored Defense: We understand that every Clinton County, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.

    When partner with Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in Clinton County, MO, you aren’t just selecting the ideal drug crimes lawyer in and around Clinton County, MO – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our knowledgeable drug crimes lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Clinton County and beyond:

    Arrested or Questioned for a Drug Crime in Clinton County, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Right Away

    Your freedom and future are on the line, but with a skilled legal team, you can take control of your defense. A knowledgeable Combs Waterkotte drug crimes lawyer in Clinton County, MO can help you navigate the complexities of your case and work toward the best possible outcome. Time is critical—act now to protect your rights.

    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 Clinton County, MO.

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