Western Missouri Criminal Defense Attorney
Kansas City Drug Charge Defense Attorney
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Drug Charges in Missouri
Drug charges are confusing and vary wildly from state to state and place to place, from places with felony drug charges to the states where marijuana/weed is legal. On top of that, a person can land in serious legal trouble and face hefty jail time for possession of other drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine, oxycodone, or hydrocodone. Throw in delivery, distribution, trafficking, and other drug crimes, and the consequences for drug charges become daunting. Roberts Law Office has represented people charged with drug crimes in the Kansas City area and beyond for years and can help you make sense of your charges.
Possession of a Controlled Substance Charges in Missouri
The possession of some drugs--called controlled substances--is regulated by the state and/or federal government. In these cases, it is illegal for a person to have a controlled substance in their possession without some form of permission (such as a prescription from a medical doctor). Illegal possession of a controlled substance can have harsh consequences, so you’ll want a good attorney with experience handling these types of possession charges in your corner.
Punishment for Controlled Substances in Missouri
In Missouri, possessing prescription drugs or other controlled substances without a prescription is a crime. The punishment for the crime may vary depending on the type, amount, and whether or not the accused intended to sell or distribute the controlled substances.
- Possession of any controlled substance (except for marijuana, unless you have more than 35 grams) is a class D felony and carries a prison sentence of up to 7 years.
- Possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana is a class D misdemeanor with a $500 fine, and possession of 10-35 grams is a class A misdemeanor where you could face either a fine of up to $2,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail.
- Distribution and sale in a protected location, such as near a park or school, is a class A felony which carries a range of incarceration from 10 to 30 years or up to life in prison.
- Drug trafficking laws in Missouri vary based on the drug and amount trafficked, but they do tend to expose defendants to potentially longer prison sentences than merely distributing a controlled substance.
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Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in Missouri
Possession of drug paraphernalia is also a crime under Missouri law. Drug paraphernalia is defined as, “Any equipment, product, or material of any kind which is primarily intended or designed for use in manufacturing, compounding, converting, concealing, producing, processing, preparing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing into the human body a controlled substance.” Paraphernalia includes water pipes, rolling papers, roach clips, and other such items.
- In Missouri, possession of drug paraphernalia is a class D misdemeanor which carries a potential fine of up to $500.
Possession with Intent to Sell or Distribute in Missouri
Possession of a controlled substance is one thing; possession with intent to sell can expose a you to much more serious consequences. Selling drugs or other controlled substances often carries the potential for a longer sentence than mere possession, and can in certain cases carry a mandatory minimum sentence.
- Delivery of a controlled substance (besides less than 35 grams of marijuana) carries a potential sentence of 3 years and up to 10 years in prison, and there are enhanced penalties available for delivery of controlled substances to minors.
