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Jennings, MO

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Last Updated: January 15, 2025

Drug crimes lawyer in Jennings, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Jennings, 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 Jennings, 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 Jennings, 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 Jennings, 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.

With over 40 years of combined legal experience and a track record of successfully handling 10,000+ cases, our team has the knowledge and tenacity to handle cases just like yours in Jennings, MO, including:

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

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Jennings, 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 Jennings, 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.
  • Make it near impossible to secure housing or loans.
  • Hurting your reputation within your Jennings, MO community.
  • Result in the loss of professional licenses and the ability to acquire one in the future.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Jennings, MO: Know Missouri’s Controlled Substances 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 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 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 are classified as having a moderate to low potential for physical dependence or high psychological dependence, with accepted medical uses. Examples include weight loss medications, 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

In Jennings, 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 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 offenses in Jennings, MO are divided into two degrees based on the substance and its quantity:

  • First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony, which carries 5-15 years in prison, when the drugs involve:
    • Over 10 milligrams of fentanyl
    • Over 30 grams of heroin
    • Over 8g of cocaine
    • Over 30g of methamphetamine

    If larger quantities are involved, the charge is elevated to a class A felony, such as:

    • 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 Jennings, MO | Criminal Defense in Jennings, MO | Combs Waterkotte

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

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

    Jennings, MO’s drug laws impose harsh penalties, but with a skilled legal team on your side, there’s hope. Our drug crime lawyers in Jennings 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

    The Fourth Amendment safeguards 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.

    Challenge Possession

    Jennings, 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: 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

    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.

    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 Jennings, MO area.

    Weak or Inconclusive 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 Jennings, MO.

    Claiming Duress or Coercion

    If you committed a drug crime in Jennings, 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 Jennings, 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 Jennings, MO case. Here’s how we work to protect your rights in Jennings, MO:

    • In-Depth Case Review:
      Our Jennings, 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 evidence obtained lawfully? Were your rights upheld in Jennings, 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 | Jennings, MO Criminal Defense Attorneys | Combs Waterkotte

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Jennings, MO: Why Trust 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 legal team has a proven track record of success in defending Jennings, MO drug crimes.
    • Consistent Updates: We keep you informed every step of the way in Jennings, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
    • Personalized Attention: We understand that every Jennings, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.

    When partner with Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in the Jennings, MO area, you aren’t just selecting a leading drug crimes lawyer in Jennings, MO and beyond – you’re 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 Jennings, MO residents:

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

    A drug charge in Jennings, MO doesn’t have to define your future, but swift action is essential. With skilled legal counsel, you can fight to reduce or eliminate the charges against you. The experienced Combs Waterkotte Jennings, MO drug crimes lawyers are ready to stand by your side and protect your rights. Don’t wait—your future depends on it.

    Call Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free case review with one of our dedicated Jennings, MO drug crimes lawyers.

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