Drug Related Offenses, Charges, and Cases.
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Each Type of Drug-Related Charge Has a Wide Range of Different Variables That Can Cause Different Outcomes In Your Specific Case:
The first step of you knowing what to expect in your case; is to know which category your drug charge falls into.
There are 5 basic categories that drug charges/drug crimes fall into:
1. Possession of narcotics, or controlled substances themselves.
2. Distribution of narcotics, or controlled substances.
3. Possession of drug/narcotic/ controlled substance paraphernalia. (Tools/mechanisms intended for the usage of a narcotic or illicit substance.)
3. Trafficking of drugs/narcotics/controlled substances. (Usually, trafficking charges have higher penalties as opposed to charges of distribution. When you are caught in the possession of a mass quantity of narcotics, drugs, or controlled substances; OR you are caught in the actual act of moving or transporting the substances, or whatever term mentioned above is used; across state lines or especially international borders; these scenarios are more commonly categorized and defined as cases of drug trafficking, and charged as such.)
4. Prescription drug sales/distribution/trafficking. (In the eyes of the law, this is viewed separately from narcotic/illegal substance sales/distribution)
5. Manufacturing or the intent to manufacture drugs/narcotics/or illicit substances.
These are the basic categories of drug charges and cases; however, these can have other variations on top of these five basic main categorizations; a few examples of other variables are, but not limited to;
- General drug precursors
- The possession of a controlled substance/drug/narcotic with the intent to sell
- Meth labs and/or meth precursors
- Being a prior offender
- Being a persistent offender
- The illegal use of a prescription drug (commonly abused prescription drugs include; benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin; amphetamines such as Dexedrine, Adderall, Ritalin; and pain killers or opiates such as Vicodin, OxyContin, Percocet, codeine, and the most dangerous of all fentanyl)
- Marijuana possession, without a medical card in the state of Missouri. Or marijuana possession in states such as Kansas where it is not legal in any scenario to have or use marijuana
- Selling drugs or alcohol to minors
- Providing drugs or alcohol to minors
- The type of charge you are given regarding the drug or category can fall under a felony or misdemeanor classification. (These categories carry very different penalties and can affect your life in very different ways. In some cases, it is possible to have a felony charge brought down to a misdemeanor charge but not in all or even the majority of cases.)
- Having felony or misdemeanor prior charges on your record can also significantly impact the way your case will be treated
Simple possession is one of the most common of these charges. Our page on possession of a controlled substance explains how Missouri classifies these charges and what penalties you may be facing.
When Faced With Marijuana/Cannabis Drug Charges, All Cases Are Uniquely Dependent Upon Their Specific Details:
Cannabis cases, unlike other drug cases, are more likely to go into legal gray areas. This is largely due to the fact that Missouri laws surrounding marijuana/cannabis have gone through and are still going through significant changes. These changes are at the state level, as well as the county level, and city level. Factors that can affect how your case will go are;
- The types of cannabis products you are/were in possession of.
- The quantity of the cannabis products you are/were in possession of.
- The geographic location of where law enforcement found you in possession of cannabis products.
- If you were driving a motor vehicle at the time the cannabis products were found by law enforcement
- If you were a passenger in a motor vehicle at the time the cannabis products were found by law enforcement
- If you were in your home/residency at the time the cannabis products were found by law enforcement
- If you were in someone else’s home/residency at the time the cannabis products were found by law enforcement
- If you are/were a Missouri medical cardholder. All of these variables can play out differently depending on if they are applicable to your case matter, and in what way.
The State Of Missouri Is One Of The Most Strict in Terms of Drug Law In All Of The Nation.
A Drug Charge Can Affect Your Record, Your Career, and Your Freedom.
A drug-related charge can have serious and lasting consequences for you or someone you love. The right legal strategy from the start makes a real difference in the outcome.
Our team of lawyers at Higher Level Legal in Raymore, Missouri; are more than familiar with the complexities of Missouri drug law; and the many facets within this sector of law.
Higher Level Legal has had 16+ years of success in the courtroom practicing drug-related law and is constantly staying educated and up to date on the progress of cannabis law in Missouri and Kansas. This expertise is an invaluable resource to someone facing charges of this nature.
Drug-related charges, whether they are a felony or a misdemeanor can have profound and dramatically negative effects on your future. Our attorneys have the tools to fight to prevent your future from being put into jeopardy.
We also are one of the first firms to have experience in the courtroom with the new and ever-developing cannabis laws in the state of Missouri.
At Higher Level Legal, we will fight for your rights, legal goals, and overall well-being.
Drug charges are one of many criminal matters we handle. Visit our criminal defense services page for a full overview of how we help Missouri clients.
