Prescription Drug Crimes in St. Louis and Across Missouri: Know The Facts
In Missouri, prescription drug crimes can involve the same charges and convictions as similar crimes involving illicit drugs. If you’re facing these legal issues, you need an aggressive and knowledgeable advocate on your side. At Combs Waterkotte, our seasoned team of criminal defense attorneys can provide the support you need to defend yourself against your charges.
Don't risk your freedom by going at this alone. Call a Combs Waterkotte prescription drug crimes lawyer today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out online for a free, confidential consultation.
Prescription Drug Crimes Lawyer in St. Louis, MO
Possessing prescription drugs in Missouri without a valid prescription is illegal. Although this law applies to all manner of medications, it’s particularly vital when it comes to opioids, benzodiazepines, and other controlled substances.
The Missouri Controlled Substances Act regulates a number of drugs because of their potential to become habit-forming. If any of these drugs are found in your possession or if you’re suspected of distributing the substances, you can be charged with a felony.
The exact type of felony depends on whether you have previous drug charges. These can include:
- Possession With Intent to Distribute
- Possession or Control
- Drug Paraphernalia
- Drug Manufacturing
- Drug Trafficking
Prescription drug crimes don’t just refer to having drugs without prescriptions. They also include obtaining fraudulent prescriptions or getting real ones by illegal means, such as forging a doctor’s signature. Doctor shopping can also be part of the charges.
Most Common Prescription Drug Charges in Missouri
There are many prescription drug crimes you can be charged with. Here are some of the most common in the state.
Possession or Control of a Controlled Substance in St. Louis, MO
All prescription drugs fall into the category of controlled substances. If you knowingly possess one of these medications without a valid prescription, you can be charged with a Class D felony.
Delivery of a Controlled Substance in St. Louis, MO
If you illegally obtain prescription drugs and then sell or give them to another person, you can be charged with delivery of a controlled substance. This charge would still be on the table if law enforcement suspected you had the intent to distribute the substance, even if you didn’t actually do so. Typically, these charges can mean a Class C felony.
It may become a Class B felony if the delivery involves a person who is less than 17 years of age and who is at least two years younger than the defendant or you knowingly permit a minor to purchase or transport controlled substances that have been illegally obtained.
Distribution of a Controlled Substance in Protected Locations in St. Louis, MO
You can be charged with a Class A felony if you allegedly distribute prescription drugs within 2,000 feet of protected locations, such as schools, school buses, and parks.
What Potential Penalties Can You Face if Convicted of Prescription Drug Charges in Missouri?
Because these charges are typically Class D felonies and above, a conviction can mean jail time as well as significant fines. That’s not all that you can face, however, because you will also end up with a criminal record, which can impact your entire life. A criminal record can affect your future work. Many employers ask for information on a prospective employee’s record, and they may be less inclined to hire people who have served time because of prescription drug crimes. This also means that if you have a professional license of any kind, you will most likely lose it if you have a criminal record. That could prevent you from working in your field completely.
Another issue you could face is housing. Landlords may prefer not to accept applications from people who have criminal records, reducing your options. Additionally, you may not be able to get federal housing.
If you need government loans to attend school and get further degrees, you might also run into problems. Most federal loans are not available to those with criminal records.
A conviction of more than a year in prison would mean not being able to own firearms or vote. If you’re going through an immigration process, a conviction could also impact that, especially if there are aggravating factors, like charges of violence.
The social stigma of having a criminal record is something that can chase you for the rest of your life. It can affect any future relationships and mar the ones you do have.
Defenses for Prescription Drug Crimes in St. Louis, MO
You need a robust defense to fight prescription drug crime charges. Your lawyer will analyze the specific details of your case to develop a strategy personalized to your unique situation.
For example, one strategy that our team at Combs Waterkotte can leverage is to challenge how police obtained the evidence against you. If they didn’t have a reason to search you or a warrant, any evidence the police obtained during the search could be illegal. We can work to get it thrown out by claiming that your Fourth Amendment rights were violated.
Similarly, if the charges involve a confession, we can also look at whether it was obtained properly. The Fifth Amendment protects you from self-incrimination, so if law enforcement did anything to compromise that right, the confession could be invalidated.
Another defense we can use is to show that you did not knowingly possess the prescription drugs in question. To be charged with prescription drug crimes, you must have known they were in your possession. If someone placed them in your car or home without your knowledge, that could help you avoid the most serious charges.
In certain cases, entrapment is an option as well. Keep in mind that entrapment is not always accurately understood. It involves a police officer pushing you to commit a crime you would otherwise not have done. It’s a very complex defense strategy, but it can be effective in eligible cases.
Why Legal Representation Is Essential in St. Louis, Throughout Missouri
No matter how simple you may think a prescription drug crime case is, you should never attempt to go through the justice system on your own. Doing so could put you at risk of suffering the most serious penalties. At Combs Waterkotte, our skilled team of attorneys offers a number of essential services to help you. We can:
- Investigate the alleged crime
- Assess the evidence against you to ensure its legality
- Put together a defense strategy that fits your exact needs
- Aggressively represent you at trial
