Drug Crimes Lawyer Moberly, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Moberly, MO.

In Moberly, MO, charges from drug crimes can bring overwhelming challenges—looming over you, your freedom, future, and reputation—that demand immediate action. From a misdemeanor possession to a felony trafficking case or even a federal drug offense, the penalties can be life-altering—costly fines, lengthy incarceration, and a permanent record. With an experienced Moberly, MO drug crimes lawyer by your side, you gain a powerful advocate ready to challenge the charges against you.

Act now to protect your future. Call Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free consultation. Let our dedicated drug crimes lawyers in Moberly, MO stand with you during this challenging time.

Facing Charges from Drug Crimes in Moberly, 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 60 years of combined experience and has successfully handled over 10,000 cases throughout Missouri and the Moberly area, including:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Moberly, MO: What Determines the Severity?

In Moberly 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 classification of the drug (see below)
• The quantity of drugs in question
• Any aggravating or mitigating elements

A conviction for drug crimes in Moberly, 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 Moberly, MO community.
• Result in the loss of professional licenses and the ability to acquire one in the future.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Moberly, MO: Missouri’s Controlled Substances & Penalties

In Missouri, the severity of drug crimes is tied to the state’s classification of controlled substances, as defined under Missouri Revised Statute § 195.017. These schedules, organized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, outline potential penalties based on the drug’s category:

• 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 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 drugs include numerous prescription drugs, such as Xanax, Valium, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.

Penalties for Possession

Possession of any controlled substance in Moberly, MO, apart from marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, is a class D felony in Missouri, which can result in up to 7 years in prison. For marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids, possessing between 10 and 35 grams is classified as class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in jail. If the amount exceeds 35g, the charge is 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 Moberly, 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
  • More than 8g of cocaine
  • Over 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 when involving:
  • More than 10mg of fentanyl
  • More than 30g of heroin
  • Over 30 kilograms of marijuana
  • Over 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 in Moberly, MO: Protecting Your Rights and Future

  Being charged with a drug crime in Moberly, 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.

  Moberly, MO’s drug laws impose harsh penalties, but with a skilled legal team on your side, there’s hope. Our drug crime lawyers in Moberly excel at finding vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s case. While strategies vary depending on your specific circumstances, here’s how we can build a powerful 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.

  Disputing Possession

  Moberly, 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.

  Proving Lack of Awareness

  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.

  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 Moberly, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.

  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 Moberly, MO.

  Duress or Coercion Defense

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

  Randolph County Resources
  

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

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

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Moberly, 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 Moberly, MO. Here’s how we work to secure the best possible outcome in Moberly, MO:

  • Thorough Investigation:
    We dig deep into every aspect of your Moberly, MO case, from reviewing police procedures to gathering witness testimony, to uncover crucial details that may challenge the prosecution’s narrative.
  • Evidence Assessment:
    Was proper procedure followed during your Moberly, MO arrest and investigation? We’ll challenge any unlawfully obtained evidence to make sure your rights are protected.
  • Negotiation with Prosecutors:
    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 have the final say.

  

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

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

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

  If partner with Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in or around Moberly, MO, you’re not just hiring a top-rated drug crimes lawyer in Moberly, MO and beyond – you are protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our esteemed drug crimes lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Moberly, MO residents:

  Charged With a Drug Crime in Moberly, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now

  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 Moberly, 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 for a free consultation with one of our devoted drug crimes lawyers in Moberly, MO.