Drug crimes lawyer in Pulaski County, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Pulaski 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 Pulaski 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 Pulaski 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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See what Chris has to say about Combs Waterkotte Law Firm after Combs Waterkotte helped him with his felony charge, and restored him to his everyday life. Criminal Defense Lawyers in Missouri.
Chris – Client Testimonial
See what Chris has to say about Combs Waterkotte Law Firm after Combs Waterkotte helped him with his felony charge, and restored him to his everyday life. Criminal Defense Lawyers in Missouri.
Drug Charges in Pulaski County, MO? Choose Proven Legal Expertise
When your future is at stake, there’s no room for uncertainty in Pulaski County, 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 Pulaski County, MO area:
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Drug Crimes Lawyer in Pulaski County, MO: What Affects the Severity of Your Charges?
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 details below)
- The amount of the drug involved
- Any aggravating or mitigating factors
A drug crime conviction in Pulaski 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:
- Barriers to finding or advancing in a career.
- Making it difficult to find housing or obtain loans.
- Damage your reputation in your Pulaski County, MO community.
- Loss or denial of professional licensure opportunities.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Pulaski County, MO: Missouri’s Controlled Substances & 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 drugs are classified as having a moderate to low potential for physical dependence or high psychological dependence, with accepted medical uses. Examples include weight loss medications, stimulants, antidepressants, and anabolic steroids.
- 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
The possession of a controlled substance in Pulaski 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
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 Pulaski County, MO are divided into two degrees based on the substance and its quantity:
- 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
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 when the drugs involve:
- Over 10mg of fentanyl
- Over 30g of heroin
- More than 30 kilograms of marijuana
- Over 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 Pulaski County, MO: Building a Strong Defense for Your Case
Time is critical. Contact an experienced drug crimes lawyer at Combs Waterkotte right away by calling Pulaski County, MO or reaching out online to discuss the specifics of your case.
Pulaski County, MO’s drug laws impose harsh penalties, but with a skilled legal team on your side, there’s hope. Our drug crime lawyers in Pulaski County excel at finding vulnerabilities in the prosecution’s case. While strategies vary depending on your specific circumstances, here’s how we can build a strategic defense:
Fighting Unreasonable 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
Pulaski County, 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:
- Actual Possession: You physically had the drugs on your person, such as in a pocket, bag, or vehicle.
- 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 Knowledge
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 Pulaski County, MO area.
Challenging Evidence Sufficiency
To secure a conviction in Pulaski 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.
Duress or Coercion Defense
If you committed a drug crime in Pulaski 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.
Pulaski County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Pulaski County and Missouri.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Pulaski County, 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 Pulaski County, MO. Here’s how we work to protect your rights in Pulaski County, MO:
- Comprehensive Case 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. - Challenging Evidence:
Was the investigation conducted legally? Were your rights violated? We’ll examine every detail in Pulaski County, MO to make sure that any unlawfully obtained evidence is excluded. - Negotiation with Prosecutors:
Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, MO: Why Choose Combs Waterkotte?
When you hire Combs Waterkotte for your Pulaski County, 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 Pulaski County and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
- Transparent Communication: Transparency is key—we make sure you’re never left wondering about your Pulaski County, MO case’s progress.
- Focused Representation: Every case receives our full attention and determination to achieve the best possible outcome in Pulaski County, MO.
If choose Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in the Pulaski County, MO area, you’re not just selecting the ideal drug crimes lawyer in and around Pulaski County, MO – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our knowledgeable drug crimes attorneys, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Pulaski County, MO residents:
Arrested or Questioned for a Drug Crime in Pulaski County, MO? Call 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 Pulaski 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 case review with one of our dedicated Pulaski County, MO drug crimes lawyers.
