Kearney, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Kearney, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Kearney, 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 Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO. Our team of skilled drug crimes lawyers is dedicated to fighting aggressively to protect your rights, your freedom, and your reputation

Facing Charges from Drug Crimes in Kearney, 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 Kearney area, including:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Kearney, 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 details below)
• The amount of the substance in question
• Presence of any aggravating or mitigating factors

A drug crime conviction in Kearney, 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:

• Barriers to finding or advancing in a career.
• Making it difficult to find housing or obtain loans.
• Damage your reputation in your Kearney, MO community.
• Loss or denial of professional licensure opportunities.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Kearney, 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: 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 Kearney, 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 Kearney, 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 in Kearney, 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 with a sentence of 5-15 years when involving:
  • More than 10 milligrams of fentanyl
  • More than 30 grams of heroin
  • More than 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
  • 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 in Kearney, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case

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

  Drug crime convictions in Kearney, 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 robust defense strategy:

  Fighting Unlawful 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

  Possession charges require sufficient evidence of possession of the drugs. If the drugs were found in a shared space or if ownership is unclear, we can argue that you were not in possession. There are 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

  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.

  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 Kearney, MO area.

  Insufficient 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 Kearney, MO.

  Claiming Duress or Coercion

  If threats or intimidation forced you to commit the alleged offense, a defense of duress may apply in Kearney, MO. Similarly, coercion due to an imminent threat of harm could justify your actions and mitigate your culpability.

  Clay County Resources
  

  Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Clay County and Missouri.

  • Missouri Criminal Defense Resources
  • Missouri Criminal Court Process
  • Missouri Revised Statutes
  • Missouri Courts
  • Missouri Department of Revenue
  • Clay County Website
  • Clay County Court
  • Clay County Jail
  • SLU School of Law
  • Christopher Combs
  • OCU School of Law
  • Steven Waterkotte

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Kearney, 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 Kearney, MO case. Here’s how we fight for you in Kearney, MO:

  • Comprehensive Case Investigation:
    We dig deep into every aspect of your Kearney, MO case, from reviewing police procedures to gathering witness testimony, to uncover crucial details that may challenge the prosecution’s narrative.
  • Evidence Assessment:
    Was the evidence obtained lawfully? Were your rights upheld in Kearney, MO? Our team carefully analyzes the details to ensure any evidence acquired improperly is excluded from court.
  • Negotiation with Prosecutors:
    When appropriate, we pursue resolutions outside of court by working to reduce charges, negotiate favorable plea agreements, or secure alternatives like probation or treatment programs However, you always have the final say.

  

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

  At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys pride themselves on a results-driven approach and client-focused service in Kearney, MO. When you hire us, you’ll get:

  • Proven Expertise: We’ve built a solid reputation in Kearney and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
  • Consistent Updates: Transparency is key—we make sure you’re never left wondering about your Kearney, MO case’s progress.
  • Personalized Attention: We treat every Kearney, MO case with the urgency and care it deserves. You’re never on the backburner.

  If choose Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in the Kearney, MO area, you’re not just hiring the ideal drug crimes lawyer in Kearney, MO and throughout Missouri – you are securing 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 Kearney, MO residents:

  • DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
  • DWI/DUI Lawyer
  • Violent Crime Lawyer
  • Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Gun Crime Lawyer
  • Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
  • Homicide Lawyer
  • Assault Lawyer
  • Rape Defense Lawyer

  Facing a Drug Crime in Kearney, MO? Reach Out To Combs Waterkotte Today

  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 Kearney, 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 consultation with one of our dedicated Kearney, MO drug crimes lawyers.