Drug crimes lawyer in Kirkwood, MO.
When you’re facing drug crimes in Kirkwood, MO, the stakes couldn’t be any higher. No matter if it’s a misdemeanor possession charge, a felony trafficking offense, or even a federal drug crime, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting, if not permanent—including hefty fines, lengthy prison sentences, a criminal record, as well as the accompanying personal stigma. But with an experienced Kirkwood, MO drug crimes lawyer by your side, you don’t have to face these challenging times alone.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Call Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys in Kirkwood, MO are committed to defending your rights, protecting your freedom, and safeguarding your future.
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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.
Drug Charges in Kirkwood, 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 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 Kirkwood, MO area:
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Drug Crimes Lawyer in Kirkwood, MO: What Determines the Severity?
In Kirkwood and across Missouri, the level of punishment for a drug crime—whether charged as a misdemeanor or felony—depends on several key aspects, such as:
- The type of controlled substances (see below)
- The amount of the substance in question
- The actuality of any aggravating or mitigating factors
A conviction for drug crimes in Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO community.
- Loss or denial of professional licensure opportunities.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Kirkwood, 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: These drugs, including heroin, LSD, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and the like, have no accepted medical use and the highest potential for abuse, resulting in the most severe penalties.
- Schedule II: While substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine have limited medical uses, their high potential for abuse means they are still strictly regulated.
- 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 drugs encompass a variety of prescription medications, such as Valium, Xanax, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.
Penalties for Possession
The possession of a controlled substance in Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, 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
Missouri has two degrees of drug trafficking:
- First-Degree Drug Trafficking is a class B felony, which carries 5-15 years in prison, when the drugs involve:
- More than 10 milligrams of fentanyl
- More than 30 grams of heroin
- More than 8g of cocaine
- More than 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:
- Over 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 Kirkwood, MO: Protecting Your Rights and Future
If you’ve been charged with any of the above drug crimes in Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, 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 Illegal 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:
- Actual Possession: You physically had the drugs on your person, such as in a pocket, bag, or vehicle.
- Constructive Possession: While you may not have actual physical possession of a drug, you might have knowledge of and control of where the drugs are located, along with both the power and intention of physically possessing the drug at some time in the future.
Arguing Lack of Awareness
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 be admissible in court, it must have an unbroken chain of custody. Any errors or mishandling of evidence during its collection, transport, or storage could lead to it being excluded from the case. This is particularly important in Kirkwood, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.
Challenging Evidence Sufficiency
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 Kirkwood, MO.
Duress or Coercion Defense
If you committed a drug crime in Kirkwood, 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.
St. Louis County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Louis County and Missouri.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Kirkwood, MO: How Combs Waterkotte Builds a Strong Defense
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 Kirkwood, MO. Here’s how we fight for you in Kirkwood, MO:
- Thorough Investigation:
We leave no stone unturned. From meticulously combing through police reports to interviewing witnesses, we uncover the facts that can challenge the prosecution’s case. - Challenging Evidence:
Was proper procedure followed during your Kirkwood, MO arrest and investigation? We’ll challenge any unlawfully obtained evidence to make sure your rights are protected. - Proactive Negotiation:
Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in Kirkwood, MO. We fight for reduced charges, fair plea bargains, or alternatives like drug treatment programs, always keeping your future in mind However, you always get to make the final decision.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Kirkwood, MO: Why Trust Combs Waterkotte?
When you hire Combs Waterkotte for your Kirkwood, MO drug crime defense, you’re choosing a firm that prioritizes results and personalized care. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Proven Expertise: We’ve built a solid reputation in Kirkwood and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
- Consistent Updates: We keep you informed every step of the way in Kirkwood, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
- Personalized Attention: We understand that every Kirkwood, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.
When hire Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in the Kirkwood, MO area, you aren’t just hiring a leading drug crimes lawyer in and around Kirkwood, MO – you are safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our knowledgeable drug crimes lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Kirkwood and beyond:
Charged With a Drug Crime in Kirkwood, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Right Away
A drug charge in Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, 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 for a free consultation with one of our devoted drug crimes lawyers in Kirkwood, MO.
