Drug Crimes Lawyer Montgomery County, MO

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

Drug Charges in Montgomery County, MO? You Need Experience on Your Side

Your future is far too important to gamble with an inexperienced attorney in the Montgomery 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.

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 Montgomery County, MO area:

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

The seriousness of the penalties you face—whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony—depends on several factors, including:

• The classification of the drug (see below)
• The quantity of drugs in question
• The actuality of any aggravating or mitigating elements

A drug crime conviction in Montgomery 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.
• A tarnished reputation in your Montgomery County, MO personal and professional circles.
• Result in the loss of professional licenses and the ability to acquire one in the future.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Montgomery County, 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 are those that have the highest potential for abuse and have no accepted medical uses, and therefore carry the stiffest sentences. These include opiates, heroin, LSD, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and other hallucinogenics.
• 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 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 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 Montgomery County, 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 Montgomery County, 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 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
  • More than 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 for amounts such as:
  • More than 10mg of fentanyl
  • More than 30g of heroin
  • Over 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 in Montgomery County, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case

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

  Drug crime penalties in Montgomery 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 Illegal 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, we’ll fight to have it suppressed. This can significantly weaken the case against you and may even lead to a reduction or dismissal of charges.

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

  Errors in Evidence Handling

  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 Montgomery County, MO area.

  Insufficient Evidence

  The prosecution has the burden to prove your beyond a reasonable doubt in Montgomery County, MO. If the case relies on circumstantial evidence or lacks direct proof tying you to the alleged crime, your attorney can argue the evidence is insufficient to convict.

  Duress or Coercion Defense

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

  Montgomery County Resources
  

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

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

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Montgomery County, MO: Building Your Robust Defense With Combs Waterkotte

  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 Montgomery County, MO. Here’s how we work to secure the best possible outcome in Montgomery County, MO:

  • In-Depth Case Review:
    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 the investigation conducted legally? Were your rights violated? We’ll examine every detail in Montgomery County, MO to make sure that any unlawfully obtained evidence is excluded.
  • Proactive Negotiation:
    Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in Montgomery County, 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 Montgomery County, MO: Why Hire Combs Waterkotte?

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

  • Proven Strategies: We’ve built a solid reputation in Montgomery County and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
  • Consistent Updates: We keep you informed every step of the way in Montgomery County, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
  • Tailored Defense: We understand that every Montgomery County, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.

  If partner with Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in or around Montgomery County, MO, you aren’t just choosing a leading drug crimes lawyer in Montgomery County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our experienced drug crimes lawyers, our legal team is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for Montgomery County, MO residents:

  • Drivers License Reinstatement Attorney
  • Careless Imprudent Driving Attorneys
  • Weapons Crime Attorney

  Charged With a Drug Crime in Montgomery County, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Today

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