Heroin Drug Charges Lawyer St. Louis, MO. Over the past several years, Missouri (and the nation as a whole) has been hit and hit hard by a drug epidemic that is affecting people from all areas and socio-economic backgrounds. Heroin use has drastically increased as part of this epidemic with overdose deaths increasing by more than 300%
between 2010 and 2016. While that number has tapered off some due to the rise of other opioids like fentanyl, heroin usage still remains a massive problem in St. Louis and Missouri, and a drug addiction can quickly lead to legal problems.If you or someone you know is battling a heroin addiction, it’s a smart decision to hire a drug crimes attorney in St. Louis who understands that drug addictions can happen to anyone, no matter their background or career. Combs Law Group is a unique St. Louis criminal defense firm that sympathizes with those struggling with addiction and is cognizant of the fact that it is a disease. We not only defend our clients zealously against any Missouri drugs charges, but we also work with our clients to get them the help they need to overcome their addictions. Call us at 314-451-2665 to speak with an attorney and schedule a free, confidential review of your case.
Dealing With A Heroin Charge in St. Louis, MO
Possession of a controlled substance, especially one considered a Schedule A drug like heroin, is a felony under Missouri law. In addition, in response to the explosion of heroin’s availability on Missouri streets, state government has increased the punishments for many heroin-related crimes.
- If someone is caught with any quantity of heroin in their possession, this is a class D felony charge. The maximum punishment for a class D felony in Missouri is seven years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.
- Distributing (or selling) heroin in Missouri, or possessing it with the intent to sell it on, is a class C felony, punishable by 3-10 years in prison and a fine of no more than $10,000. If you are accused of distributing heroin to a minor (defined as someone under the age of 18, who is also two years younger than you) this crime is upgraded to a class B felony, meaning you may face 5 to 15 years behind bars.
- The harshest punishment related to heroin in Missouri is “distribution in a protected location”. Missouri’s definition of “protected locations” includes anywhere within 2,000 feet of a K-12 or vocational school, within 1,000 feet of a park or recreational area, or on the grounds of public/government-assisted housing. This is a class A felony, the strictest criminal penalty under Missouri law, carrying a minimum 10 years in prison if convicted.
The punishments for being convicted of a felony are not just limited to a prison sentence or a hefty fine, either. In Missouri, convicted felons are barred from holding elected office, owning firearms unless they are used strictly for hunting, and from voting in elections during the term of their conviction. They will also be required to disclose their status as a convicted felon when applying for jobs and housing, which oftentimes severely limits their opportunities to work and live the way they want.
Contact A Highly-Rated St. Louis Drug Crimes Lawyer
Unlike other St. Louis criminal defense law firms, Combs Law Group takes a holistic approach to all their Missouri drug crimes cases. Our attorneys take the time out to build a personal relationship with their clients and give them access to a wide network of mental health and drug-counseling professionals–free of charge, if need be. Our main goal for all our St. Louis heroin cases is to avoid jail time and the burden felony convictions can have on otherwise good people who are sadly afflicted with the disease that is addiction. We work diligently with you to come up with diversion programs, like inpatient or outpatient drug treatment, that oftentimes to lead to better plea offers from prosecutors. Our firm’s goal is the same as yours–getting the best outcome for your case.
For a personalized legal experience that guarantees you will always be able to talk to an attorney who understands your unique St. Louis heroin case, Combs Law Group is your first choice. Contact us online to schedule a free consultation, or take a look at what some of our previous clients have had to say about their experiences with our St. Louis criminal defense lawyers.