Cocaine Drug Charges Lawyer St. Louis, MO. Whether powder or crack, the possession of cocaine is considered a very serious drug possession crime in the United States and especially in Missouri. Those charged with possession usually are facing Class D felony charges, which carry a maximum of 7 years in Missouri state prison. In addition, prosecutors are often eager to tack on extra charges to a cocaine possession case, and it is not uncommon for cocaine possession defendants to also be looking at federal charges as well, which carry with them their own penalties.
If you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with cocaine possession, it is imperative that you contact a reputable St. Louis, MO drug possession attorney. Combs Law Group has the legal acumen and experience necessary to defend you against cocaine possession charges and minimize the impact they have on your life. Their holistic process ensures you always get a thorough investigation into your case and a winning defense strategy, all while having 24/7 access to the attorney working on your case. Call them today at (314) 900-HELP to schedule a free, confidential conversation.
Cocaine In Missouri: Know The Facts
Cocaine is classified as a Schedule II drug by the federal DEA, meaning that it “is considered dangerous, with a high potential for abuse, and with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence”. Other Schedule II drugs include meth, fentanyl, and oxycodone.
In Missouri, laws relating to cocaine possession have changed slightly in recent years, but it still remains a serious felony. Cocaine possession shifted from being a Class C felony to a Class D felony in 2017. While this did lessen the potential punishment for being convicted of cocaine possession (changing from 3-10 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine to 1 year in county jail-7 years in state prison), it still means that if convicted you will lose a number of rights including the ability to vote, own a firearm, or apply for certain jobs. These are also just the minimum sentences: possessing larger amounts of cocaine will increase your penalty accordingly
Missouri also has what is known as a sentencing disparity that takes effect whether you have been caught with crack or powder cocaine. These exist in 12 other states as well as on the federal level, and were mostly passed in the 1980s when it was believed that crack was more powerful and addictive than powder cocaine. In practice, it largely meant that minority defendants got much harsher sentences for possessing less cocaine by weight, since powder cocaine was viewed as a “white-collar” drug. Before a sentencing reform act was passed in 2012, Missouri had one of the largest sentencing disparities in the country at 75-to-1. This meant that someone convicted of possessing six grams of crack cocaine would be facing the same sentence as someone who was convicted of possessing 450 grams, or nearly half a kilo, of powder cocaine. The disparity has since been lessened to 19-to-1, but it still means that those who have been caught with crack cocaine are looking at much stiffer punishments.
Contact An Experienced St. Louis, MO Cocaine Possession Attorney
If you or someone you know is facing cocaine possession charges in court, they are probably well aware that they should not fight these charges alone. Knowing a reputable St. Louis, MO criminal defense attorney is a must when you have been charged with a serious offense like drug possession. Combs Law Group has an excellent track record of helping their clients minimize the effect even serious felony charges have on their lives.
Our firm works with you throughout the trial process, from discovery all the way to the final resolution of your case. We value communication above all and guarantee you will have 24/7 access to your lawyer throughout the legal process. Contact us today to schedule a case review and to learn more about why people from all over St. Louis, MO have trusted Combs Law Group as their criminal defense law firm.