Drug crimes lawyer in St. Charles County, MO.
In St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles County, MO stand with you during this challenging time.
Legal Videos
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.
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.
Charged With a Drug Crime in St. Charles County, MO? You Need Experience on Your Side
When your future is at stake, there’s no room for uncertainty in St. Charles 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 St. Charles County, MO area:
-
Protect Your Life
![Image]()
Protect Your Life
A felony can have long-term consequences. Act quickly and carefully to protect your future and your livelihood.
Reach Out Now
-
Know Your Next Steps
![Image]()
Know Your Next Steps
Wondering what happens after your felony arrest? The skilled Combs Waterkotte attorneys have the answers.
Stay Informed
-
Title
![Image]()
Ready to Talk to an Expert?
Contact the experienced Combs Waterkotte felony lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP to get started on your defense.
Get Started
Drug Crimes Lawyer in St. Charles County, MO: What Determines the Severity?
In St. Charles County 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 type of controlled substances (see details below)
- The amount of the substance in question
- The actuality of any aggravating or mitigating elements
A St. Charles County, MO drug crime conviction can disrupt your life in ways beyond immediate penalties like fines or jail time. The consequences may include:
- Severely limiting your career opportunities.
- Making it difficult to find housing or obtain loans.
- Damage your reputation in your St. Charles County, MO community.
- Impacting your eligibility for professional licenses or certifications.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in St. Charles County, MO: Know Missouri’s Controlled Substances and 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: 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 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 encompass a variety of prescription medications, such as Valium, Xanax, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.
Penalties for Possession
Possession of any controlled substance in St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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:
- Over 10 milligrams of fentanyl
- Over 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 when involving:
- More than 10mg of fentanyl
- More than 30g of heroin
- Over 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 St. Charles County, MO: Strategically Defending Your Case
If you’ve been charged with any of the above drug crimes in St. Charles County, 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 St. Charles 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.
Disputing Possession
To convict on possession charges in St. Charles County, 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:
- Actual Possession: Direct physical possession, such as having the drugs on your person or in an item under your control.
- Constructive Possession: While you may not have actual physical possession of a drug, you might have knowledge of and control of where the drugs are located, along with both the power and intention of physically possessing the drug at some time in the future.
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 be admissible in court, it must have an unbroken chain of custody. Any errors or mishandling of evidence during its collection, transport, or storage could lead to it being excluded from the case. This is particularly important in St. Charles County, MO drug crimes and DWI/DUI cases.
Weak or Inconclusive Evidence
To secure a conviction in St. Charles 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 you were forced to commit a drug crime under threat of harm, we may use duress as a defense to challenge your culpability. Similarly, if you faced an immediate threat of bodily harm and no alternative means, your lawyer can claim coercion occurred.
St. Charles County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in St. Charles County and Missouri.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in St. Charles County, MO: Building Your Robust Defense With Combs Waterkotte
With decades of legal expertise, access to top-notch experts in our network, and a thorough grasp of Missouri’s drug statutes, our team builds robust defense strategies tailored to your St. Charles County, MO case. Here’s how we work to secure the best possible outcome in St. Charles County, MO:
- In-Depth Case Review:
We dig deep into every aspect of your St. Charles County, MO case, from reviewing police procedures to gathering witness testimony, to uncover crucial details that may challenge the prosecution’s narrative. - Evidence Assessment:
Was the evidence obtained lawfully? Were your rights upheld in St. Charles County, MO? Our team carefully analyzes the details to ensure any evidence acquired improperly is excluded from court. - Proactive Negotiation:
Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in St. Charles 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 St. Charles County, MO: Why Trust Combs Waterkotte?
At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys pride themselves on a results-driven approach and client-focused service in St. Charles County, MO. When you hire us, you’ll get:
- Proven Strategies: Our legal team has a proven track record of success in defending St. Charles County, MO drug crimes.
- Transparent Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way in St. Charles County, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
- Personalized Attention: Every case receives our full attention and determination to achieve the best possible outcome in St. Charles County, MO.
When hire Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in or around St. Charles County, MO, you’re not just choosing the ideal drug crimes lawyer in and around St. Charles County, MO – you’re securing your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our experienced drug crimes lawyers, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for St. Charles County, MO residents:
Facing a Drug Crime in St. Charles County, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Today
A drug charge in St. Charles 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 St. Charles 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 now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free case review with one of our dedicated St. Charles County, MO drug crimes lawyers.
