Drug Crimes Lawyer Platte City, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Platte City, MO.

When you’re facing drug crimes in Platte City, 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 Platte City, 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 Platte City, MO are committed to defending your rights, protecting your freedom, and safeguarding your future.

Charged With a Drug Crime in Platte City, MO? Trust a Team That Delivers Results

When your future is at stake, there’s no room for uncertainty in Platte City, MO. Missouri’s drug laws remain some of the toughest in the nation, and prosecutors work tirelessly to secure convictions. At Combs Waterkotte though, we exceed that determination with aggressive defense strategies that have consistently delivered results for our clients.

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 Platte City, MO area:

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

The severity of the penalties you could face and whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony hinges on:

• The type of drugs (see below)
• The amount of the drug involved
• Presence of any aggravating or mitigating elements

A drug crime conviction in Platte City, 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:

• Severely limiting your career opportunities.
• Making it difficult to find housing or obtain loans.
• Hurting your reputation within your Platte City, MO community.
• Impacting your eligibility for professional licenses or certifications.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Platte City, 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 with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, such as heroin, LSD, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and other hallucinogens. These carry the harshest 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 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 Platte City, 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

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
  • 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 for amounts such as:
  • Over 10mg of fentanyl
  • Over 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 Platte City, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case

  If you’ve been charged with any of the above drug crimes in Platte City, 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 Platte City, 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 robust 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.

  Disputing Possession

  To convict on possession charges in Platte City, MO, the prosecution must prove you had control of the drugs. When substances are found in a shared area or their ownership is uncertain, we’ll challenge the claim that they belonged to you. Missouri law differentiates between two possession types:

  1. Actual Possession: Direct physical possession, such as having the drugs on your person or in an item under your control.
  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

  The state must prove that you knowingly possessed or distributed the drugs. If there’s no evidence you were aware of the drugs—such as if they were planted or unknowingly left in your home or vehicle—our team can argue that you lacked the required knowledge to establish possession or distribution.

  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 Platte City, MO area.

  Insufficient Evidence

  To secure a conviction in Platte City, 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.

  Duress or Coercion Defense

  If you committed a drug crime in Platte City, 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.

  Platte County Resources
  

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

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

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

  • Thorough Investigation:
    Our Platte City, MO attorneys meticulously review every detail, from police reports to witness statements, to identify inconsistencies or oversights that could weaken the prosecution’s case.
  • Scrutinizing Evidence:
    Was proper procedure followed during your Platte City, MO arrest and investigation? We’ll challenge any unlawfully obtained evidence to make sure your rights are protected.
  • Negotiation with Prosecutors:
    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 in Platte City, MO: Why Trust Combs Waterkotte?

  When you hire Combs Waterkotte for your Platte City, 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 Platte City and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
  • Transparent Communication: Transparency is key—we make sure you’re never left wondering about your Platte City, MO case’s progress.
  • Focused Representation: We treat every Platte City, MO case with the urgency and care it deserves. You’re never on the backburner.

  If hire Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in the Platte City, MO area, you’re not just selecting the ideal drug crimes lawyer in Platte City, MO and beyond – you’re safeguarding 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 offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Platte City and beyond:

  Charged With a Drug Crime in Platte City, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Today

  A drug charge in Platte City, 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 Platte City, 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 case review with one of our devoted Platte City, MO drug crimes lawyers.