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misdemeanour drug crimes

Looking to Hire a Drug Possession St. Louis Lawyer?

combschris1 · October 19, 2019 ·

If you’ve been caught for drug possession in Missouri, it’s important you take action right away. Missouri has some of the most severe drug possession penalties in the whole of the US, but punishments can also vary drastically from courtroom to courtroom. For this reason alone, you need a drug possession attorney who has established relationships in the area you are being charged and will know the history of cases like yours with those prosecutors and judges. 

Drug possession charges are some of the most common we deal with here at Combs Law Group, so we are familiar with the common questions and queries people have when facing a drug possession charge. 

Here’s what you need to know to defend and protect yourself. 

What constitutes drug possession in Missouri?

As you may be aware, the definition of “drug possession” in Missouri doesn’t simply cover being caught with illegal substances on your persons, but in any other scenario where you can be considered to be in possession of an illegal substance. 

For example, if you and a friend are transporting cocaine in your vehicle (or if a friend leaves an illegal substance in your vehicle) when you are pulled over for a traffic offense and the attending officers have reason to search your vehicle and find it, you are still considered “in possession” of that substance. 

Are drug possession laws the same all over the US? 

Yes and no. The DEA determines how “serious” an illegal substance is throughout the US. The Controlled Substances Act outlines 5 Schedules (essentially levels of seriousness), with Schedule 1 being the most serious or harmful, such as heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, and decreasing in the likelihood of dependency to Schedule 5. These schedules define the severity of the punishment. 

However, Missouri decides what punishment will be given for possession of each type of drug. With the exception of marijuana, most drug possession charges are felonies. Felony charges come with serious legal ramifications, fines, prison time, and sends shockwaves through other areas of your life, so it’s vital you find a drug possession lawyer as soon as possible. 

If you’re facing federal drug charges, like federal drug trafficking or distribution, then it’s even more important you find a good St. Louis drug possession attorney who knows federal drug laws. Federal drug laws typically have more severe penalties, so if the federal government is trying to put you behind bars you need to get a St. Louis criminal lawyer right away.

Are the punishments for marijuana possession different? 

In most cases, yes. In Missouri, most drug possession cases will result in a felony charge, but the laws surrounding marijuana have softened and if you possess 35 grams or less, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. If you would like to learn more about marijuana laws in Missouri, you can read our guide here.

Is there any way to avoid jail time? 

Your ability to avoid jail time for your drug possession charge will depend on the severity of your charge, the circumstances in which you were charged, the skill of your attorney, and primarily, whether or not you are willing to get help for your addiction. Prosecutors and judges may choose to be sympathetic if you are willing to get help for your addiction and if the quantity you had in your possession was minimal. To find out more about these programs you can read our guide on drug possession laws in Missouri.

What should I look for in a drug possession lawyer?  

When you look for a drug possession lawyer you should ensure they: 

  • Have experience in the location you were charged 
  • Have experience with cases like yours 
  • Will aggressively defend you and the life you’ve built 
  • Offers a free consultation
  • Won’t make you feel like a number on a list 
  • Make you feel reassured and at ease 
  • Has numerous testimonials and good reviews 

Chris Combs is one of the top St. Louis drug possession lawyers and has experience with a wide range of drug possession charges. If you want to find out more about what we can do for you click here or contact us directly today and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible – most inquiries receive a reply in less than two hours, so it will be no time at all until you can relax knowing you have the best on your case. 

A Complete Guide: Drug Possession Charges & Drug Court

combschris1 · November 8, 2018 ·

The Complete Guide to Drug Court in Missouri & If It’s the Right Option for Your Drug Possession Charges

If you or a loved one is charged with drug possession in Missouri, you might be wondering if going to a drug court is the right option for you. You are not the only one who has that question. In fact, that’s one of the most common questions that our St.Louis drug possession lawyers at the Combs Law Group get asked. We would like to give you a straight answer to this question, but it doesn’t exist. The best option for drug possession charges depends on your particular circumstances, and if drug court is an option you need to think seriously about what it entails.

The state of Missouri treats drug crimes very seriously. A conviction for drug charges can result in imprisonment of up to seven years and fines of up to $5000. That’s why it is in your best interest to seek advice from a Missouri criminal defense attorney right from the very beginning of the proceedings against you. When we work on a drug possession case, we always employ defensive strategies aimed at dismissal or reduction of the charges. Sometimes, when it’s in our clients’ best interest, we will recommend drug court as an alternative to prison or jail. Let’s take a closer look at what drug court is all about and what it could mean for you if you decide to go that route.

What is Drug Court and Is It the Right Option for Your Drug Possession Charges?

A Drug Court is a voluntary treatment program for first-time, non-violent felony offenders who have substance abuse issues. Its goal, as defined by most legal jurisdiction in Missouri, is to provide the defendant with supportive community supervision and help them deal with the underlying problem, their drug addiction. Most importantly for you, it means you could avoid doing jail time for your drug problem.
When a first-time offender commits a crime in which drug abuse plays a significant role, they can be offered to join a drug court program. It is the most effective way to help them become a productive citizen and combat recidivism. In fact, the program is so effective that up to 95% of participants do not return to drugs and crime once they completed the program. The offender has to plead guilty before or after being admitted to the drug court program. If they complete the program successfully, they can withdraw the guilty plea and the charges against them will be dropped. If they don’t abide by the program’s requirements and break the rules, they will have to serve time in jail and pay a fine.
There are 130 drug court programs in Missouri, accommodating up to 7000 offenders annually. I most cases, your criminal defense lawyer will advise you to opt for one because that way you’ll avoid jail and fines and get a better and healthy life. Missouri drug courts are well known for their efficiency. On average, all of them have 61% graduation, but the St.Charles County Drug Court, in particular, is the most successful one, with 95% of the participants never committing a crime again. As experienced St.Charles criminal defense attorneys, we can confirm this to be true. Moreover, this program saves the State of Missouri around $10 million per year in incarceration costs.
If you want to be eligible for a Drug Court, you have to meet certain requirements. They differ from county to county, but for any of them you can expect to be required to meet the following criteria:

  • Be a first-time offender
  • Be a substance abuser
  • The substances you abuse played a significant role in committing the crime
  • The criminal offense has to be drug-related
  • The offense mustn’t be violent
  • You have to plead guilty before or after being admitted into the program

However, no two drug court programs are the same. Depending on where you live or where your charges are pending, you may need to meet additional requirements The following overview of a few of the drug court programs in Missouri will give you an idea about whether a drug court is the right option for you.

St.Louis County Drug Court

You will be admitted to the St.Louis County drug court program if you meet the following requirements:

  • Be a non-violent offender
  • Be at least 17 years old
  • Plead guilty for a felony
  • Waive your preliminary hearing
  • Commit to at least 15 months of treatment
  • Be a technical probation violator

If you don’t meet these requirements, you won’t be allowed into the program, and you may have to serve time in jail and be fined if convicted of felony drug possession. Just pleading guilty won’t secure you a spot there either. Before considering going to a drug court in Missouri, make sure that you talk with a St.Louis criminal defense attorney to advise you whether this program is the best you can get or if you can get into it at all.

The program costs $40 per month. It is tailored to the needs of the offender. The duration will depend on their individual progress, but never for less than 15 months. Upon entering the program, you’ll have to abide by certain rules, such as doing 40 hours of community service, attending scheduled treatments and appointments, participating in regular court supervision, as well a other requirements.

The St.Louis Drug Court program has four phases:

  • Assessment and intensive supervision phase (6-8 weeks on average)
  • Primary treatment phase (20-24 weeks on average)
  • Continued care (16-20 weeks on average)
  • Minimum supervision or commencement phase (16-20 weeks on average)

Once admitted into the drug court program, you have to ensure that you follow all the rules. If you don’t, your admittance will be revoked, and you’ll be fined and jailed. But, if you complete the program successfully, you’ll be allowed to revoke your plea of guilty and the charges against you will be dropped.

City of St. Louis Drug Court

The city of St.Louis has their own requirements for admission into drug courts. There are separate requirements for pre-plea and post-plea cases. If you plead guilty before being admitted in the program, the requirements are as follows:

  • You have to be charged with drug or alcohol charges, or your offense has to be motivated by drugs or alcohol
  • You have to be a non-violent offender and your crime mustn’t involve a significant drug dealing
  • The victim of the offense must agree that you can enter the program
  • You must not be on parole
  • You must not have more than three felony offenses in the past
  • You agree to participate in the program, pay compensation, if any, and pay the court fees
  • If you have pled guilty already, the criteria for admittance are as follows:
  • No violent history
  • You are a substance abuser
  • You have to be charged with drug or alcohol charges or your offense has to be motivated by drugs or alcohol
  • You have to be a non-violent offender and your crime should not involve a significant drug dealing
  • You agree to participate in the program, pay compensation, if any, and pay the court fees
  • You are not a graduate of a drug court program
  • The court fees associated with the program are $30 per month. It has three phases and lasts for a minimum of eleven months.

Franklin County Drug Court

Franklin County Drug Court is possible if you meet the following requirements:

  • You are dependent on drugs
  • You live in Franklin or Gasconade County and have viable transportation
  • You have a criminal charge pending in Franklin County
  • The criminal charge has to be drug-related or another non-violent felony in which substance abuse was a significant factor
  • Your present and past offenses, if any, mustn’t include significant drug distribution, manufacturing, sales, or trafficking, nor crimes related to violence, weapons, sex offenses, or felony assaults
  • You mustn’t have a physical or a mental condition that could prevent you from successfully completing the drug court program
  • You must abide by the program requirements
  • If you are on probation, you may be admitted into the program if, in addition to all the requirements mentioned above, you meet the following as well:
  • You have at least 24 months remaining for supervision on probation
  • You mustn’t have any revocation pending in another county
  • You don’t owe excessive restitution to the court
  • Offenders go through three phases of recovery, and if they complete them all successfully, they are allowed to withdraw their guilty plea. That results in charges against them being dropped. If you remain substance-free for 32 weeks, you’ll be good to go.
  • There are many rules that offenders have to respect during the program, including regular drug tests, court visitations, being respectful to the court, going for treatments, and others. Not respecting them may lead to being removed from the program and going to jail. Talk to your drug possession attorney to ensure that you abide by the rules all the time because the risk is too big.

It Looks Great, but Be Careful

Drug Court programs can be a great option for offenders who qualify, but before opting for one, you and your drug possession attorney have to take into account all the circumstances surrounding your life. Keep in mind that not abiding by the rules of the program will have you expelled and sent to jail. Think about any reasons that could prevent you from fulfilling your obligation of the drug court program. Just don’t take the benefits for granted. The truth is that drug courts across Missouri have different guidelines, but there’s one thing they all have in common. Drug courts are typically very difficult to complete successfully. In fact, some drug courts are designed to make the defendants fail. Why is this you might be wondering? Well, as society has started to recognize drug addiction as a disease that needs treatment, Prosecutors are now more inclined to use drug courts as an alternative to jail. However, they have merged punitive aspects into the drug court process. Meaning, they don’t want it to be an easy road for drug addicts who break the law. In fact, some drug courts have made their programs so unattractive to drug offenders that jail is sometimes the better option. So it depends on the specifics of the drug court in the county you’re charged in. They make it so difficult for the criminal defendants that in some cases it doesn’t make sense to choose the drug court option. You have to able to commit a serious amount of time, money, and patience. And when it comes to drug addicts, meeting those difficult guidelines can be almost impossible. But if you’re someone who is serious about getting and staying sober, and you’re willing to make a long-term commitment to not just drug court, but to your sobriety, then drug court might be a good option for you.

For help with determining whether the drug court programs are the best option for you, call us at the Combs Law Group for free consultations. We specialize in Missouri drug possession cases and we can help you fight your charges and create positive outcomes for your case. Call us today at 314-578-1465 and we can provide you with a free consultation.

Missouri Drug Possession Laws Guide

combschris1 · July 22, 2018 ·

Missouri Drug Possession Overview

Drug possession, or possession of a controlled substance, is one of the more serious crimes that we handle at Combs Law Group. Missouri, like many other states, has some very serious penalties for drug possession. Unfortunately, drug possession is also one of the most common crimes we handle as St. Louis criminal defense lawyers. When someone is arrested for drug possession there is a multitude of factors that go into their cases. Under Missouri drug possession laws, not all drug possession charges are the same and some are much more serious than others. Whatever the case may be, the first thing you need to do is get informed and begin your search for a highly qualified criminal defense lawyer. We want our clients, or prospective clients, to be fully informed, so in this article, we will try to provide you with all the information you need to know as it relates to a drug possession charge.

What is drug possession?

Let’s start with a clear understanding of how the law in Missouri defines drug possession. You might be thinking that drug possession is when you have drugs in your hand or on you. The fact is that the law goes beyond that in most cases and considers “possession” anytime you have the ability to control and handle the drugs. So when you’re pulled over and the cops find drugs in your car that happens to be there because your friend put them there, you’re still considered “in possession”. Which is a very common scenario with drug possession cases, so always be aware of what others are carrying in your vehicle.

Obviously, the common factor in any drug possession case is drugs. There’s a wide range of drug types that can trigger an arrest and drug possession charge. They can be illegal drugs or prescription drugs, so if your buddy gave you a couple of Xanax to help you sleep, be aware. If you’re caught with legally prescribed drugs without a prescription you could be facing a drug possession charge. A very serious one for that matter.

Drug Schedules In The United States

To understand drug possession laws in Missouri we have to take a closer look at the DEA guidelines that determine how serious an illegal drug is under the law. In the United States, the Controlled Substances Act specifies and regulates all legal and illegal drugs on the market. The guidelines set forth in the Act specify that there are 5 Schedules for drugs under the law. Here are the five schedules under the US law:

  • Schedule I – Drugs under this schedule have been determined to have no medical utility and are considered to have a very high risk of abuse. Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine or crank, crack, and ecstasy are all primary examples of a Schedule I drug.
  • Schedule II – These drugs have been determined to have a high rate of abuse and dependence. However, they have a specific medical purpose and can be prescribed by a Doctor. Fentanyl and other opiates, Adderall, and Methadone are just some examples of Schedule II drugs.
    Schedule III – Drugs from this category are similar to Schedule II drugs, but they are considered to have a lower risk of abuse and misuse. For example, codeine with Tylenol is a painkiller like morphine, but it’s not as strong, so it’s in a higher classification.
  • Schedule IV – Drugs in this category are considered the low risk for abuse and dependence under the DEA guidelines, but can still cause considerable issues for someone if they become addicted. Examples of drugs in this category include Xanax, Tramadol, Valium, and Darvon.
  • Schedule V – The least serious of drug categories under the DEA guidelines due to the fact that they have very limited quantities of narcotics in their chemical makeup. Drugs like Robitussin AC and Lyrica are Schedule V.

The DEA drug schedules are a critical component to any drug possession charges. Every drug (legal and illegal) is placed into one of the Schedules, and the lower the drug schedule the higher the penalty. Unfortunately, some of the rationales around which drugs are considered a high potential risk for abuse is very questionable. For instance, cocaine is considered a higher risk of abuse versus Fentanyl, which is a leading cause of drug overdoses right now.

Why are these drug schedules so important? Well, the penalty guidelines under the law utilize these Schedules to create tiers of fines and prison time for each particular drug schedule. In Missouri, the legal statute Mo. Stat. Ann. § 195.017 dictates which drugs fit into which category. So if you’re trying to figure out which Schedule a drug is, we’ve published that list of drugs here so that you can easily search through them.

Penalties for Drug Possession in Missouri

Under Missouri law (statute 579.015), possession of a controlled substance (aka drug possession) is defined as follows:

Possession or control of a controlled substance — penalty. —

  • A person commits the offense of possession of a controlled substance if he or she knowingly possesses a controlled substance, except as authorized by this chapter or chapter 195.
  • The offense of possession of any controlled substance except thirty-five grams or less of marijuana or any synthetic cannabinoid is a class D felony.
  • The offense of possession of more than ten grams but thirty-five grams or less of marijuana or any synthetic cannabinoid is a class A misdemeanor.
  • The offense of possession of not more than ten grams of marijuana or any synthetic cannabinoid is a class D misdemeanor. If the defendant has previously been found guilty of any offense of the laws related to controlled substances of this state, or of the United States, or any state, territory, or district, the offense is a class A misdemeanor. Prior findings of guilt shall be pleaded and proven in the same manner as required by section 558.021.
  • In any complaint, information, or indictment, and in any action or proceeding brought for the enforcement of any provision of this chapter or chapter 195, it shall not be necessary to include any exception, excuse, proviso, or exemption contained in this chapter or chapter 195, and the burden of proof of any such exception, excuse, proviso or exemption shall be upon the defendant.

So unless it’s a Marijuana charge, the illegal possession of a controlled substance in Missouri, will typically result in a Felony charge. For instance, if you are pulled over and the cop searches your car and finds a small bag of cocaine, he will likely test it on the side of the road and if he determines it’s cocaine, you’ll be charged with a Class C Felony. The good news is that a Class C Felony one the least serious of the Felony classes. The bad news is that a felony is a very serious legal problem and you will need to hire a highly skilled criminal defense lawyer right away. A felony drug charge in Missouri can result in high fines and extensive prison or jail time. A Class C felony drug charge in Missouri can carry up to 7 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. More importantly, a felony of any kind can have a long-lasting impact on your life, career, and your family. So becoming a convicted felon is something you’ll want to avoid if at all possible.

What about diversion and probation programs? Well, with drug possession cases there is the potential for working something out with the prosecutor so the defendant can avoid jail time. Typically this happens when the defendant is a drug addict or has become addicted to the drug and the best option long term is for them to get help for their drug problem. Drug addiction is a disease and the social stigma around drug addiction is changing. However, the laws have been slow to recognize that drug addiction is a mental health disorder. Good people are getting caught up in the legal system due to their mental health issues and instead of treating them with health solutions, we are locking them up and in some cases throwing away the keys. It’s just not the right thing to do, and the truth is that it doesn’t alleviate the problem. The good news is that Prosecutors and Judges are becoming more aware of the fact that most drug possession cases involve drug addicts. Especially with the recent wave of heroin and fentanyl addicts, who are typically victims of Doctors over-prescribing pain pills. They get hooked on the pain pills and then their Doctor cuts them off and next thing you know they are buying illegal drugs off of the street. This is a very common scenario that we come across with our clients facing drug possession charges. With these cases, we look to formulate a legal strategy that puts diversion or probation options front and center. For the client who is willing to seek help for their addiction problems, the Prosecutors are usually open to alternative programs instead of jail. For instance, St. Louis County offers first-time nonviolent offenders who have a substance abuse problem the option of going into drug court. With drug court you are required to meet certain guidelines:

  • Offenders take accountability for their actions.
  • Offender must report to judge in court on a regular basis
  • Regular payment of court and program fees
  • Mandatory participation in substance abuse treatment as designated by Drug Court Team
  • Regular drug testing
  • Mandatory community service
  • Referral and participation with other community resources as required
  • Regular home visits
  • Face to face contacts with a probation officer, court personnel and treatment providers as needed

Meeting all of these requirements can be very difficult for someone who is dealing with a drug addiction. And unfortunately, the success rates for offenders going into drug court aren’t that great. However, if you’re facing a felony conviction for drug possession and you are able and willing to complete a drug court program, it can be a great solution to your legal problems. We typically work with our clients to assess the likelihood of a successful completion before seeking this option with the Prosecutor.

SIS and SES Programs are also alternatives to a felony drug conviction. Typically, if you’re a first time offender of felony drug possession, the Prosecutor could be open to what they call an SIS, or Sentence In Suspension. An SIS is essentially where you take a plea of guilty and you’re put on probation for a specific time period. During that probation period, you’ll have to meet certain requirements to be in good standing with the probation courts. If you successfully complete your probation, your guilty plea will be removed from your criminal record. It’s not removed entirely though, but anyone who is looking into your criminal background won’t see the felony conviction. Only Prosecutors and Judges will be able to see the SIS conviction on your record in the event that you’re arrested again. SIS is a very common outcome to drug possession cases, and if you’re serious about getting clean, it can be a very effective legal option to your case.

So the bottom line is that a felony drug conviction can bring on some serious criminal penalties in Missouri. Under no circumstances should you try and go it alone without a drug possession attorney by your side. You’ll end up with a felony on your record and you will be paying the price for the rest of your life.

Felony Drug Charges vs Misdemeanour Drug Charges

Missouri is one of the few states where the drug possession laws are so strict that any amount of a drug in your possession is a very serious charge and you probably need a felony drug lawyer at your side. The one exception to that is Marijuana. The law in Missouri specifies that if you are in possession of 35 grams of Marijuana or less, you’re charged with a Misdemeanor. If you’re in possession of under 10 grams of Marijuana you’re going to be facing a Class D Misdemeanour, while 10-35 grams will be a Class A Misdemeanor. Keep in mind, that states like Colorado and California have legalized Marijuana, so Missouri is one of the states where the drug laws are still very draconian in nature. For instance, if you’re caught with a speck of cocaine in your car, you’re going to face the same charges as someone with a gram of cocaine in their car. Amounts don’t matter under the law for Schedule I and Schedule II drugs.
However, if you happened to be caught with a small amount of Marijuana (<10 grams), then you could be facing up to $500 in fines. If you have a prior drug conviction, the Misdemeanor class D becomes a Misdemeanor class A. Furthermore, for possession of 10-35 grams of Marijuana, you will be facing a Class A Misdemeanour. Class A Misdemeanors convictions will typically result in up to 1 year in jail, and up to $2000 in fines. The thing to keep in mind is that the Marijuana laws across the country are changing each and every year. As more states make the drug legal, people are increasingly running into gray areas of the law. Just be aware that until Marijuana is legalized in Missouri, it is very risky to buy, use, or carry Marijuana. Your freedom could be at risk. Lastly, regardless of whether you’re facing a Misdemeanor or a Felony, you should carefully consider your options for hiring a criminal defense attorney. A big mistake some people make is understating the seriousness of a Misdemeanour drug charge. With the right attorney in your corner, you should be able to walk away from your case without long-lasting effects on your career and life. Call Combs Law Group today to discuss your drug case.

Proving A Substance is Actually An Illegal Substance

Drug possession charges require specific proof that the substance in your possession is, in fact, an illegal substance. In most cases, the evidence file will contain specifics around how the state identified the substance and its weight. Say for instance you’re partying with your friends on Friday night on Washington Ave. and you’re doing some club drugs, like powdered cocaine. On your way home, you get pulled over for speeding and the cop finds probable cause to search your vehicle. During the search, he finds a little bag with a white powder in it and he suspects it’s cocaine. He will probably ask you “What it is this?”, and you’re the best answer is to say nothing or “I don’t know”. He will then proceed to do a field test on the substance to see if it’s cocaine. These tests are very common in most jurisdictions, and under the law, they provide enough evidence to place you under arrest for drug possession. But the truth is that these tests are extremely unreliable and can be called into question in a court of law. A recent study showed that up to 70% of test results are actually false positives. Which really calls into question why they are used at all. The answer to that question is a complex one that we will defer to another blog post at another time. The reality is that the roadside drug tests provide the police a way to increase there arrest rates, which are typically tied to federal funding for drug enforcement.

But in a court of law the roadside tests won’t cut it, so after your arrest, the police will send a sample of the substance to a formal testing facility for scientific testing. This process can take months to complete due to the backlog of cases in the system. In some cases, you won’t even be charged with drug possession until the test results come back and are presented to the Prosecutor. So if you were arrested for drug possession or they found drugs on you during an arrest for another crime, but not charged right away, don’t be fooled into thinking you got away with it. It’s more than likely the charges are going to be filed.

The test results that come back from the testing facility are very hard to refute. The process itself is very well documented within the law and the testing standards are very high. It’s rare to find a case where the drug testing done by the state was in question or could be questioned by a criminal defense lawyer. Mistakes do happen though, and when those mistakes are made it can provide an opportunity to file a case dismissal.

If you’ve been charged with drug possession already then you know you need to call a lawyer right away. However, if you were arrested and not charged with drug possession immediately, you might be waiting it out to see if the charges get filed. That’s not a good idea. You’re better off contacting a criminal defense attorney right away because the sooner you have legal defense on your side, the better off you’ll be. For one, if you call us today we will work with you immediately to document exactly what happened during your arrest. If you wait 4 to 5 months and then contact an attorney you won’t have a great recollection of your arrest. That can be a problem for any lawyer.

Municipal vs State Court Filings

If you’re charged with felony drug possession in a local municipality the case will be transferred over to the nearest state court. In St. Louis this means that when you’re arrested in Chesterfield or Ladue you won’t actually be charged in those Municipal courts. Municipal courts don’t handle felony cases, so when the drug test results come back with a positive, the Municipal Prosecutor will referrer to the case to the St. Louis County court in Clayton, MO. This is important to know because fighting a case in state court has a higher degree of complexity. If it’s just Misdemeanour drug charges you’ll dealing with like Marijuana possession, then it’s likely the case will remain in the Municipal courts. But don’t underestimate the municipal courts because they can hand down jail time and heavy fines as well. Nonetheless, Combs Law Group can help you fight the charges in Municipal or State court, so contact us today.

So far we’ve really just focused on what’s known as “Simple Possession” in the legal community. However, drug possession charges can range from a “Simple Possession” to “Trafficking”. The drug sentencing guidelines for Missouri are very extreme in cases where someone is selling drugs. For instance, a Trafficking in the 1st-degree charge carries up to 15 years for a first-time offender and up to 30 years for a repeat offender. That’s no joke, and if you happen to be someone who is “allegedly” involved in Trafficking narcotics, you will need to call us right away. The range of drug crimes we can handle at Combs Law Group is extensive. So whether it’s a simple drug possession or any one of the following drug crimes, call us today to get a free consultation. We can help you navigate the legal system so that you get positive outcomes to your case. Check out our drug crimes page to learn more or fill out a contact form to the right and we’ll get in touch with you immediately.

How To Handle Drug Possession Charges

Hopefully, by now you’re convinced that any drug possession charge can be a real problem for you or anyone else. If it happens to be you that’s facing the drug possession charges you’re probably wondering what your options are in terms of fighting the case. As mentioned above, Missouri offers some good options for diversion programs for first-time offenders. For repeat offenders, the problem is exacerbated, and it’s likely you could be facing some jail time. If that’s the case, you’ll probably hear about something called a “120”. The “120” is the number of days you’ll spend in a Missouri correctional facility. For drug possession, it will likely double as a treatment facility where you can go and get “treated” for your drug addiction problem. In some scenarios, this is the best option, but for many, that’s the last option they want to take. If you decide you want to fight the case and go to trial your best bet is going to be challenging the evidence or the means by which the police collected the evidence. Did the police follow the law or was it an illegal search and seizure? Remember, under the constitution of the United States you have civil liberties that protect you from the police just stopping you in your car or on the street and searching for you. If we find there have been improprieties during the arrest we will use them for your legal defense. The key though is to get in touch with us right away. Don’t wait 3 months down the road and then try and claim illegal search and seizure. If you contact us right away you give yourself the best chance at building a successful criminal defense.

Conclusion – Drug Possession

So hopefully after reading this you now realize that getting caught with drugs is no laughing matter when you live in Missouri. Your freedom and the life you live today are at risk if you don’t do something about the charges. Getting convicted can have long-term negative consequences to your livelihood, your family, and your freedom. If you’re a first-time drug offender you’re probably going to get a slap on the wrist if you get a good dru in your corner. But the reality is that most drug possession offenders are drug addicts and the real problem is their addiction. We at Combs Law Group understand this better than most local criminal defense attorneys. We work with Recovery House St. Louis, a local sober living organization, to provide legal services to drug addicts in recovery. We see first hand how drugs like Heroin can destroy a person’s life. And the fact is that the drug epidemic has impacted a wide range of socio-economic people. But what we try to do with our clients is get them the help they need to deal with their addiction. If they are in recovery and doing the right thing we have found that the Prosecutors are much more willing to give them a break. However, we don’t judge our clients either, so if the recovery lifestyle isn’t for you don’t worry, we will still work diligently to get you the best criminal defense out there.

If you’re facing more serious charges like drug possession with intent to sell, then the penalties start to look very serious. The Missouri legal system doesn’t look kindly on those who are selling drugs, and if you get caught you’re going to get the book thrown at you unless you get a good lawyer to help ease the pain.

If you’re currently facing charges for any drug crimes in St. Louis, call Combs Law Group today to get a free case consultation. Lawyer up, so you don’t go down.  Here’s a list of drug cases we handle:

Marijuana Possession Charges

Heroin Possession Charges

Cocaine Possession Charges

Meth Possession Charges

Drug Paraphernalia Charges

Drug Trafficking Charges

Drug Manufacturing Charges

Drug Distribution Charges

Drug Sale Charges

 

 

 

Areas Served

We proudly represent clients throughout the St. Louis Metro area including the following municipalities and counties: Affton, Florissant, Chesterfield, University City, Oakville, Wildwood, Ballwin, Mehlville, Kirkwood, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, Webster Groves, Ferguson, Spanish Lake, Manchester, Lemay, Overlan, Concord, Creve Coeur, Clayton, Bridgton, Jennings, St. Ann, Crestwood, Bellenfontaine, Town and Country, Berkley, Richmond Heights, Maplewood, Ellisville, Ladue, Des Peres, Sunset Hills, Brentwood, Eureka, Olivette, Sappington, St. John, Black Jac, Shrewsbury, St. Charles County, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, Franklin County, Lincoln County, and Warren County, Ste. Genevieve County

Disclaimer

The information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice. No formation of the attorney-client privilege is created by the use of this site. The choice of an attorney is an important one and should not be based solely on advertisements.
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