Ste. Genevieve County, MO

Drug crimes lawyer in Ste. Genevieve County, MO. Facing charges from drug crimes in Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO area:

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Ste. Genevieve County, MO: What Determines the Severity?

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 elements

A conviction for drug crimes in Ste. Genevieve County, MO, has consequences that go far beyond fines or prison time. These long-term effects include:

• Barriers to finding or advancing in a career.
• Difficulty securing housing or obtaining loans.
• A tarnished reputation in your Ste. Genevieve County, MO personal and professional circles.
• Impacting your eligibility for professional licenses or certifications.

Drug Crimes Lawyer in Ste. Genevieve County, MO: Missouri’s Controlled Substances & Penalties

Missouri’s schedule of controlled substances, categorized by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services under Missouri Revised Statute § 195.017, determines the severity of drug crimes and their penalties. They are:

• 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 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

In Ste. Genevieve County, 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 in Ste. Genevieve County, MO is treated as a class C felony, punishable by 3-10 years in prison. However, additional circumstances can lead to more severe charges:

• Proximity to a Protected Area: Selling or delivering drugs within 2,000 feet of a school or 1,000 feet of a park is considered a class A felony, carrying 10 to 30 years or even life imprisonment.
• Involving a Minor: Distributing drugs to someone under 17 who is at least 2 years younger than you, or allowing a minor to handle controlled substances, is a class B felony with enhanced sentencing.

Penalties for Trafficking

Drug trafficking in Ste. Genevieve County, MO is categorized into two degrees with penalties based on type and quantity of the substance:

• 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
  • Over 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 the drugs involve:
  • More than 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 Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO or reaching out online to discuss the specifics of your case.

  Drug crime penalties in Ste. Genevieve 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 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

  Ste. Genevieve 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:

  1. Actual Possession: You physically had the drugs on your person, such as in a pocket, bag, or vehicle.
  2. Constructive Possession: This refers to having knowledge of and control over the location of drugs, coupled with the ability and intention to possess them in the future.

  Arguing Lack of Knowledge

  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.

  Highlighting Breaks in Chain of Custody

  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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO area.

  Weak or Inconclusive Evidence

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

  Ste. Genevieve County Resources
  

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

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

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Ste. Genevieve 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 Ste. Genevieve County, MO. Here’s how we work to protect your rights in Ste. Genevieve County, MO:

  • In-Depth Case Review:
    Our Ste. Genevieve County, MO attorneys meticulously review every detail, from police reports to witness statements, to identify inconsistencies or oversights that could weaken the prosecution’s case.
  • Evidence Assessment:
    Was the evidence obtained lawfully? Were your rights upheld in Ste. Genevieve County, MO? Our team carefully analyzes the details to ensure any evidence acquired improperly is excluded from court.
  • Negotiation with Prosecutors:
    Sometimes the best resolution comes through negotiation in Ste. Genevieve 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 have the final say.

  

  Drug Crimes Lawyer in Ste. Genevieve County, MO: Why Trust Combs Waterkotte?

  At Combs Waterkotte, we’re dedicated to delivering exceptional results and unmatched client care. When you work with us, you can expect:

  • Proven Expertise: We’ve built a solid reputation in Ste. Genevieve County and across Missouri for successfully defending drug crime cases.
  • Transparent Communication: We keep you informed every step of the way in Ste. Genevieve County, MO, so you always know where your case stands.
  • Tailored Defense: We treat every Ste. Genevieve County, MO case with the urgency and care it deserves. You’re never on the backburner.

  If partner with Combs Waterkotte for defense of drug crimes in the Ste. Genevieve County, MO area, you’re not just choosing a leading drug crimes lawyer in Ste. Genevieve County, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. Along with expert defense from our experienced drug crimes lawyers, our staff is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for residents in Ste. Genevieve County and beyond:

  • Weapons Crime Attorney
  • DWI Administrative Hearing Lawyer
  • Violent Crime Lawyer
  • Gun Crime Lawyer
  • Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer

  Facing a Drug Crime in Ste. Genevieve County, MO? Contact Combs Waterkotte Today

  Your freedom and future are on the line, but with a skilled legal team, you can take control of your defense. A knowledgeable Combs Waterkotte drug crimes lawyer in Ste. Genevieve County, MO can help you navigate the complexities of your case and work toward the best possible outcome. Time is critical—act now to protect your rights.

  Call Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online to schedule your free case review with one of our dedicated drug crimes lawyers in Ste. Genevieve County, MO.