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Laclede County, MO

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Last Updated: January 15, 2025

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

Your future is far too important to gamble with an inexperienced attorney in the Laclede County, 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.

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 Laclede County, MO, including:

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

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

In Laclede County 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:

A drug crime conviction in Laclede County, 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 Laclede County, MO community.
  • Result in the loss of professional licenses and the ability to acquire one in the future.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Laclede County, MO: Understanding Missouri’s Drug Schedules 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 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 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 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 Laclede County, 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 Laclede County, 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:
    • More than 10 milligrams of fentanyl
    • Over 30 grams of heroin
    • More than 8g of cocaine
    • More than 30g of methamphetamine

    This offense becomes a class A felony when the amount increases to:

    • 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 for amounts such as:
    • 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 Laclede County, MO | Criminal Defense in Laclede County, MO | Combs Waterkotte

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Laclede County, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case

    If you’ve been charged with any of the above drug crimes in Laclede County, 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 penalties in Laclede County, 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 strategic defense:

    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.

    Disputing 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: This means that you had actual physical possession of a drug, whether in your hand, pocket, car, etc.
    2. 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.

    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

    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 Laclede County, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.

    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 Laclede County, MO.

    Duress or Coercion Defense

    If you committed a drug crime in Laclede County, 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 Laclede County, 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 Laclede County, MO case. Here’s how we work to secure the best possible outcome in Laclede County, MO:

    • Thorough Investigation:
      Our Laclede County, MO attorneys meticulously review every detail, from police reports to witness statements, to identify inconsistencies or oversights that could weaken the prosecution’s case.
    • Challenging Evidence:
      Was the investigation conducted legally? Were your rights violated? We’ll examine every detail in Laclede County, MO to make sure that any unlawfully obtained evidence is excluded.
    • Proactive Negotiation:
      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 get to make the final decision.

    Drug Crimes Lawyer | Laclede County, MO Criminal Defense Attorneys | Combs Waterkotte

    Drug Crimes Lawyer in Laclede County, MO: Why Trust Combs Waterkotte?

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

    • Proven Expertise: We’ve built a solid reputation in Laclede County and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
    • Clear Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way in Laclede County, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
    • Personalized Attention: We treat every Laclede County, MO case with the urgency and care it deserves. You’re never on the backburner.

    If hire Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in the Laclede County, MO area, you’re not just selecting a top-rated drug crimes lawyer in Laclede County, MO and beyond – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our esteemed drug crimes attorneys, our legal team is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in Laclede County and beyond:

    Arrested or Questioned for a Drug Crime in Laclede County, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Right Away

    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 Laclede County, 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 now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with one of our dedicated drug crimes lawyers in Laclede County, MO.

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