Drug Crimes Lawyer New Madrid County, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in New Madrid County, MO.

In New Madrid County, 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 New Madrid County, 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 New Madrid County, MO stand with you during this challenging time.

Drug Charges in New Madrid County, MO? Choose Proven Legal Expertise

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 New Madrid County, MO area:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in New Madrid County, 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 quantity of drugs in question
• Any aggravating or mitigating factors

A New Madrid County, MO drug crime conviction can disrupt your life in ways beyond immediate penalties like fines or jail time. The consequences may include:

• Harm your career and any future employment prospects.
• Difficulty securing housing or obtaining loans.
• Hurting your reputation within your New Madrid County, MO community.
• Loss or denial of professional licensure opportunities.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in New Madrid 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: 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: 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 drugs include numerous prescription drugs, such as Xanax, Valium, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.

Penalties for Possession

Possession of any controlled substance in New Madrid County, 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 New Madrid 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
  • Over 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 for amounts such as:
  • More than 10mg of fentanyl
  • Over 30g of heroin
  • Over 30 kilograms of marijuana
  • More than 30g of methamphetamine

  For larger amounts, the offense is upgraded 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 New Madrid County, MO: Protecting Your Rights and Future

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

  Drug crime penalties in New Madrid 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 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.

  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.

  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.

  Chain of Custody Errors

  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 New Madrid County, MO area.

  Insufficient Evidence

  To secure a conviction in New Madrid County, MO, the prosecution must demonstrate your guilt guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence fails to definitively connect you to the crime or relies on speculation, your lawyer can challenge its adequacy.

  Claiming Duress or Coercion

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

  New Madrid County Resources
  

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

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

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in New Madrid 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 New Madrid County, MO. Here’s how we fight for you in New Madrid County, 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.
  • Scrutinizing Evidence:
    Was proper procedure followed during your New Madrid County, MO arrest and investigation? We’ll challenge any unlawfully obtained evidence to make sure your rights are protected.
  • Proactive Negotiation:
    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 get to make the final decision.

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in New Madrid County, MO: Why Hire Combs Waterkotte?

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

  • Proven Results: We’ve built a solid reputation in New Madrid County and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
  • Transparent Communication: We provide regular updates and make sure you’re fully informed throughout the legal process in New Madrid County, MO.
  • Personalized Attention: We understand that every New Madrid County, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.

  If choose Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in the New Madrid County, MO area, you’re not just choosing a top-rated drug crimes lawyer in New Madrid County, MO and beyond – you are safeguarding your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our esteemed drug crimes attorneys, our staff is available 24/7 and provides expertise in the following areas for residents in New Madrid County and beyond:

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

  Facing a Drug Crime in New Madrid County, MO? Reach Out To Combs Waterkotte Today

  A drug charge in New Madrid 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 New Madrid 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 today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free case review with one of our devoted drug crimes lawyers in New Madrid County, MO.