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Franklin County, MO

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Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Drug crimes lawyer in Franklin County, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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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Drug Charges in Franklin County, MO? Trust a Team That Delivers Results

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 Franklin County area, including:

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

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Franklin 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:

A Franklin 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.
  • Making it difficult to find housing or obtain loans.
  • Damage your reputation in your Franklin County, MO community.
  • Impacting your eligibility for professional licenses or certifications.

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

Missouri’s schedule of controlled substances, categorized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services under Missouri Revised Statute § 195.017, determines the severity of drug crimes and their penalties. They are:

  • 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 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 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 Franklin 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 in Franklin 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 Franklin 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:
    • Over 10 milligrams of fentanyl
    • More than 30 grams of heroin
    • More than 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
    • More than 30 kilograms of marijuana
    • More than 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 Franklin County, MO | Criminal Defense in Franklin County, MO | Combs Waterkotte

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Franklin County, MO: Building a Strong Defense for Your Case

    Being charged with a drug crime in Franklin 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.

    Franklin County, MO’s drug laws impose harsh penalties, but with a skilled legal team on your side, there’s hope. Our drug crime lawyers in Franklin County excel at finding vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s case. While strategies vary depending on your specific circumstances, here’s how we can build a robust 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.

    Challenge Possession

    To convict on possession charges in Franklin County, MO, the prosecution must prove you had control of the drugs. When substances are found in a shared area or their ownership is uncertain, we’ll challenge the claim that they belonged to you. Missouri law differentiates between two possession types:

    1. Actual Possession: Direct physical possession, such as having the drugs on your person or in an item under your control.
    2. 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 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.

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

    Insufficient Evidence

    The prosecution has the burden to prove your beyond a reasonable doubt in Franklin 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.

    Duress or Coercion Defense

    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 Franklin 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 Franklin County, MO case. Here’s how we fight for you in Franklin County, MO:

    • Thorough 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.
    • Scrutinizing Evidence:
      Was the investigation conducted legally? Were your rights violated? We’ll examine every detail in Franklin County, MO to make sure that any unlawfully obtained evidence is excluded.
    • Negotiation with Prosecutors:
      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 | Franklin County, MO Criminal Defense Attorneys | Combs Waterkotte

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Franklin County, MO: Why Hire Combs Waterkotte?

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

    • Proven Expertise: Our legal team has a proven track record of success in defending Franklin County, MO drug crimes.
    • Clear Communication: We provide regular updates and make sure you’re fully informed throughout the legal process in Franklin County, MO.
    • Focused Representation: Every case receives our full attention and determination to achieve the best possible outcome in Franklin County, MO.

    If choose Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in or around Franklin County, MO, you aren’t just hiring the ideal drug crimes lawyer in and around Franklin County, MO – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our experienced drug crimes attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Franklin County and beyond:

    Charged With a Drug Crime in Franklin County, MO? Reach Out To Combs Waterkotte Today

    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 Franklin 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 dedicated Franklin County, MO drug crimes lawyers.

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