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Hannibal, MO

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Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Drug crimes lawyer in Hannibal, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, MO? You Need Experience on Your Side

When your future is at stake, there’s no room for uncertainty in Hannibal, MO. Missouri’s drug laws remain some of the toughest in the nation, and prosecutors work tirelessly to secure convictions. At Combs Waterkotte though, we exceed that determination with aggressive defense strategies that have consistently delivered results for our clients.

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 Hannibal area, including:

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

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Hannibal, MO: How is the Severity Determined?

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

A drug crime conviction in Hannibal, 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:

  • Harm your career and any future employment prospects.
  • Difficulty securing housing or obtaining loans.
  • A tarnished reputation in your Hannibal, MO personal and professional circles.
  • 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 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: 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 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 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

Selling or delivering a controlled substance is classified as a class C felony in Hannibal, MO, carrying a sentence of 3-10 years in prison. However, penalties are heightened if the sale or delivery occurs under specific circumstances:

  • Near a Protected Location: Distributing, selling, or delivering drugs within 2,000 feet of a school or 1,000 feet of a park upgrades the charge to a class A felony, with penalties ranging from 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment.
  • To a Minor: If the recipient is under 17 years old and at least 2 years younger than you, or if you allow a minor to purchase or transport drugs, the offense becomes a class B felony, with enhanced penalties.

Penalties for Trafficking

Drug trafficking offenses in Hannibal, MO are divided into two degrees based on the substance and its quantity:

  • First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony, punishable by 5-15 years in prison, 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 involving:
    • More than 10mg of fentanyl
    • More than 30g of heroin
    • More than 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 Hannibal, MO | Criminal Defense in Hannibal, MO | Combs Waterkotte

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Hannibal, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case

    Being charged with a drug crime in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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 robust defense strategy:

    Fighting Unlawful Search and Seizure

    The Fourth Amendment protects your rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. If evidence was gathered 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.

    Disputing Possession

    Hannibal, 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: 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.

    Highlighting Breaks in Chain of Custody

    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 Hannibal, MO area.

    Weak or Inconclusive Evidence

    To secure a conviction in Hannibal, MO, the prosecution must demonstrate your guilt guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence fails to definitively connect you to the crime or relies on speculation, your lawyer can challenge its adequacy.

    Duress or Coercion Defense

    If you committed a drug crime in Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Builds a Strong Defense

    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 Hannibal, MO case. Here’s how we work to protect your rights in Hannibal, MO:

    • Thorough Investigation:
      We dig deep into every aspect of your Hannibal, 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 Hannibal, 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 | Hannibal, MO Criminal Defense Attorneys | Combs Waterkotte

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

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

    • Proven Strategies: We’ve built a solid reputation in Hannibal and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
    • Clear Communication: 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 drug crimes defense in or around Hannibal, MO, you’re not just selecting a leading drug crimes lawyer in Hannibal, MO and beyond – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our experienced drug crimes lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Hannibal, MO residents:

    Arrested or Questioned for a Drug Crime in Hannibal, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now

    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 Hannibal, 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 today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free case review with one of our devoted Hannibal, MO drug crimes lawyers.

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