Drug crimes lawyer in Wentzville, MO.
In Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO? Trust a Team That Delivers Results
Your future is far too important to gamble with an inexperienced attorney in the Wentzville, MO area. Missouri continues to enforce some of the harshest drug laws in the nation, even with recent changes like partial marijuana decriminalization. Prosecutors are relentless in their pursuit of convictions, but at Combs Waterkotte, we’re even more relentless.
With over 40 years of combined legal experience and a track record of successfully handling 10,000+ cases, our team has the knowledge and tenacity to handle cases just like yours in Wentzville, MO, including:
-
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 Wentzville, MO: What Affects the Severity of Your Charges?
In Wentzville 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 drugs (see details below)
- The quantity of drugs in question
- Any aggravating or mitigating elements
A drug crime conviction in Wentzville, 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:
- Harm your career and any future employment prospects.
- Make it near impossible to secure housing or loans.
- Hurting your reputation within your Wentzville, MO community.
- Impacting your eligibility for professional licenses or certifications.
Drug Crimes Lawyer in Wentzville, 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: 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 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 drugs include numerous prescription drugs, such as Xanax, Valium, Tramadol, Robitussin AC, Motofen, and Lyrica.
Penalties for Possession
The possession of a controlled substance in Wentzville, 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
Missouri has two degrees of drug trafficking:
- 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
- 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 Wentzville, MO: Protecting Your Rights and Future
Being charged with a drug crime in Wentzville, MO can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Call the knowledgeable attorneys at Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a review of your case.
Drug crime convictions in Wentzville, MO come with severe consequences, but our skilled attorneys can quickly and thoroughly identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. While no two cases are alike, here’s how we work to 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.
Challenge Possession
To convict on possession charges in Wentzville, 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: You physically had the drugs on your person, such as in a pocket, bag, or vehicle.
- 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.
Proving 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 Wentzville, MO area.
Weak or Inconclusive Evidence
The prosecution must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is circumstantial or fails to directly link you to the drug crime in question, your lawyer can challenge the sufficiency of the case against you in Wentzville, MO.
Claiming Duress or Coercion
If you committed a drug crime in Wentzville, 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.
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 Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO. Here’s how we work to protect your rights in Wentzville, 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 evidence obtained lawfully? Were your rights upheld in Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, 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 Wentzville, MO: Why Hire Combs Waterkotte?
At Combs Waterkotte, our attorneys pride themselves on a results-driven approach and client-focused service in Wentzville, MO. When you hire us, you’ll get:
- Proven Expertise: Our legal team has a proven track record of success in defending Wentzville, MO drug crimes.
- Transparent Communication: We provide regular updates and make sure you’re fully informed throughout the legal process in Wentzville, MO.
- Focused Representation: We understand that every Wentzville, MO case is unique and build strategies specific to your needs and circumstances.
If choose Combs Waterkotte for drug crimes defense in the Wentzville, MO area, you aren’t just choosing a top-rated drug crimes lawyer in Wentzville, MO and throughout Missouri – you’re protecting your rights, your freedom, and your future. In addition to expert defense from our experienced drug crimes attorneys, our legal team is available 24/7 and offers expertise in the following areas for Wentzville, MO residents:
Charged With a Drug Crime in Wentzville, MO? Reach Out To 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 Wentzville, 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 today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free consultation with one of our devoted Wentzville, MO drug crimes lawyers.
