Image

Frontenac, MO

Verified Content

Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Drug crimes lawyer in Frontenac, MO.

In Frontenac, 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 Frontenac, 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 Frontenac, MO stand with you during this challenging time.

  • Protect Your Life

    Image

    Protect Your Life

    A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.

    Reach Out Now

  • Know Your Next Steps

    Image

    Know Your Next Steps

    Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.

    Stay Informed

  • Title

    Image

    Ready to Talk to an Expert?

    Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.

    Get Started

Drug Charges in Frontenac, 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 Frontenac area, including:

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

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

The severity of the penalties you could face and whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony hinges on:

A conviction for drug crimes in Frontenac, MO, has consequences that go far beyond fines or prison time. These long-term effects include:

  • Harm your career and any future employment prospects.
  • Making it difficult to find housing or obtain loans.
  • Damage your reputation in your Frontenac, MO community.
  • Impacting your eligibility for professional licenses or certifications.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Frontenac, MO: Understanding Missouri’s Drug Schedules 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 are those that have the highest potential for abuse and have no accepted medical uses, and therefore carry the stiffest sentences. These include opiates, heroin, LSD, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and other hallucinogenics.
  • 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 Frontenac, 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

Drug trafficking in Frontenac, MO is categorized into two degrees with penalties based on type and quantity of the substance:

  • First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony, punishable by 5-15 years in prison, when involving:
    • More than 10 milligrams of fentanyl
    • Over 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 involving:
    • 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 Frontenac, MO | Criminal Defense in Frontenac, MO | Combs Waterkotte

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

    Being charged with a drug crime in Frontenac, 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 penalties in Frontenac, 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 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.

    Challenge Possession

    To convict on possession charges in Frontenac, 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: You physically had the drugs on your person, such as in a pocket, bag, or vehicle.
    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.

    Chain of Custody Errors

    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 Frontenac, MO area.

    Insufficient Evidence

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

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Frontenac, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Builds a Strong Defense

    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 Frontenac, MO:

    • Comprehensive Case Investigation:
      We dig deep into every aspect of your Frontenac, MO case, from reviewing police procedures to gathering witness testimony, to uncover crucial details that may challenge the prosecution’s narrative.
    • Scrutinizing Evidence:
      Was proper procedure followed during your Frontenac, MO arrest and investigation? We’ll challenge any unlawfully obtained evidence to make sure your rights are protected.
    • 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 have the final say.

    Drug Crimes Lawyer | Frontenac, MO Criminal Defense Attorneys | Combs Waterkotte

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

    At Combs Waterkotte, we’re dedicated to delivering exceptional results and unmatched client care. When you work with us, you can expect:

    • Proven Expertise: Our team has a strong track record of securing favorable outcomes in Frontenac, MO drug crime cases.
    • Consistent Updates: Transparency is key—we make sure you’re never left wondering about your Frontenac, MO case’s progress.
    • Personalized Attention: We understand that every Frontenac, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.

    If partner with Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in the Frontenac, MO area, you aren’t just hiring a top-rated drug crimes lawyer in and around Frontenac, MO – you are safeguarding 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 Frontenac, MO residents:

    Arrested or Questioned for a Drug Crime in Frontenac, MO? Reach Out To Combs Waterkotte Right Away

    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 Frontenac, 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 now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with one of our dedicated Frontenac, MO drug crimes lawyers.

View Service Areas
Open Video
Image

Featured Results:

Client Review, DUI Case

Play video
Image

Get In Touch:

St. Louis

Main Office

(314) 900-HELP

Get Directions

Clayton

By Appointment Only

(314) 900-HELP

Get Directions