Drug crimes lawyer in Hannibal, MO.
In Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, MO stand with you during this challenging time.
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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.
Charged With a Drug Crime in Hannibal, MO? Choose Proven Legal Expertise
Your future is far too important to gamble with an inexperienced attorney in the Hannibal, 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 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 Hannibal, MO area:
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Drug Crimes Lawyer in Hannibal, MO: What Affects the Severity of Your Charges?
The severity of the penalties you could face and whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony hinges on:
- The classification of the drug (see below)
- The quantity of drugs in question
- Presence of any aggravating or mitigating elements
A Hannibal, MO drug crime conviction can disrupt your life in ways beyond immediate penalties like fines or jail time. The consequences may include:
- Harm your career and any future employment prospects.
- Making it difficult to find housing or obtain loans.
- Hurting your reputation within your Hannibal, MO community.
- Result in the loss of professional licenses and the ability to acquire one in the future.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Hannibal, 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 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: Substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine, which have recognized medical uses but are tightly regulated due to their high potential for abuse.
- 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
The possession of a controlled substance in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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
Missouri has two degrees of drug trafficking:
- First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony with a sentence of 5-15 years when involving:
- Over 10 milligrams of fentanyl
- Over 30 grams of heroin
- Over 8g of cocaine
- Over 30g of methamphetamine
When larger quantities are involved, it becomes a class felony, like:
- 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:
- More than 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 in Hannibal, MO: Building a Strong Defense for Your Case
If you’ve been charged with any of the above drug crimes in Hannibal, MO, you need to speak with a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible. Give a drug crimes lawyer at Combs Waterkotte a call right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to discuss the specifics of your case.
Drug crime convictions in Hannibal, 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
The Fourth Amendment safeguards your rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement obtained evidence without probable cause or a valid warrant, we’ll fight to have it suppressed. This can significantly weaken the case against you and may even lead to a reduction or dismissal of charges.
Challenge Possession
To convict on possession charges in Hannibal, 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:
- Actual Possession: Direct physical possession, such as having the drugs on your person or in an item under your control.
- 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.
Proving Lack of Knowledge
Missouri law requires the prosecution to demonstrate that you knowingly possessed or distributed the drugs. If evidence shows you were unaware of their presence—such as drugs being planted or left in your possession unknowingly—we can argue that you lacked the requisite knowledge to be held accountable.
Highlighting Breaks in Chain of Custody
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 Hannibal, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.
Challenging Evidence Sufficiency
The prosecution has the burden to prove your beyond a reasonable doubt in Hannibal, 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 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.
Marion County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Marion County and Missouri.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Hannibal, MO: Building Your Robust Defense With Combs Waterkotte
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 Hannibal, MO. Here’s how we fight for you in Hannibal, MO:
- Thorough Investigation:
Our Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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 have the final say.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Hannibal, MO: Why Trust Combs Waterkotte?
At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys pride themselves on a results-driven approach and client-focused service in Hannibal, MO. When you hire us, you’ll get:
- Proven Strategies: Our legal team has a proven track record of success in defending Hannibal, MO drug crimes.
- Consistent Updates: Transparency is key—we make sure you’re never left wondering about your Hannibal, MO case’s progress.
- Focused Representation: Every case receives our full attention and determination to achieve the best possible outcome in Hannibal, MO.
When partner with Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in Hannibal, MO, you’re not just selecting the ideal drug crimes lawyer in and around Hannibal, MO – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our esteemed drug crimes attorneys, our legal team is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for Hannibal, MO residents:
Charged With a Drug Crime in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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 devoted Hannibal, MO drug crimes lawyers.
