Missouri Drug Crimes Attorneys
Being arrested for a drug charge can quickly put your freedom, reputation, and future at risk. It can also leave you wondering how serious the charge is and what happens next. Depending on the allegations and the law authorities claim you violated, you could potentially face prosecution in municipal, state, or federal court, each with different procedures and potential consequences.
At Wyrsch Hobbs Mirakian, we have more than 35 years of criminal defense experience representing individuals in criminal drug cases. Our goal is to examine the allegations against you, the government’s evidence, and the circumstances of the investigation to help you build a robust defense.
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, we represent clients in municipal, state, and federal courts throughout Missouri and Kansas, as well as federal courts nationwide. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Understanding Drug Charges Under Missouri and Kansas Law
If you face drug charges in Missouri or Kansas, the state can prosecute you for conduct such as unlawfully possessing, manufacturing, distributing, or delivering a controlled substance. Controlled substances include drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and certain controlled prescription medications.
In Missouri, drug offenses are classified depending on the specific charge. For example, Missouri divides drug trafficking into first- and second-degree offenses, with different felony classifications depending on the severity of the crime and the drug schedule. Your offense classification will affect the potential punishment you could face if convicted.
Kansas handles many felony drug charges differently. If you are charged with a felony drug offense, the state will assign the crime a drug-severity level, with Level 1 representing the most serious category. The drug-severity level and your criminal history will determine the sentencing range that could apply to you.
At Wyrsch Hobbs Mirakian, we defend clients under in Missouri and Kansas. Our attorneys can explain how the state has classified your charge, what the prosecution must prove, and the possible penalties you might face if convicted.
When Does a Drug Case Go to Municipal Court?
Your drug case may go to municipal court if you are charged with violating a local drug-related ordinance. In Kansas City, for example, a drug paraphernalia charge will typically be handled in the city's Municipal Court. In that situation, you are facing a charge under a Kansas City ordinance rather than a state or federal drug law.
However, municipal courts are limited to certain local offenses. If the allegations fall under state or federal drug laws instead, the appropriate state or federal court will handle your case. The charges and potential penalties at those levels can differ significantly.
When Can Drug Charges Become Federal?
You may face federal charges when authorities accuse you of violating federal drug law. Federal cases can involve allegations of manufacturing, distribution, possession with intent to distribute, drug conspiracy, or larger drug operations. Federal authorities may also join an investigation that started with state or local police, so a case that begins locally can sometimes lead to federal charges.
If federal prosecutors accuse you of manufacturing or distributing controlled substances or possessing drugs with intent to distribute them, the type and amount of the drug can affect your potential sentence. Certain drug quantities can trigger mandatory minimum sentencing, which means federal law will require at least a specified prison term if you are convicted.
You may encounter agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) or members of a joint law enforcement task force during a federal investigation. If federal agents contact you or you learn that they are investigating you, contact our Missouri criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible so we can explain what you may be facing and begin preparing your defense before prosecutors file charges.
Charged with a Drug Crime?
Drug Charges We Defend
You can face a drug charge for conduct ranging from alleged possession of a controlled substance to manufacturing, distribution, or trafficking. The law that applies largely depends on whether local, state, or federal authorities bring the charge. At Wyrsch Hobbs Mirakian, we can help you build a defense for the following criminal drug charges:
Possession of controlled substances
Possession with intent to distribute
Drug distribution or delivery
Drug manufacturing or cultivation
Drug trafficking
Prescription drug offenses
Drug paraphernalia offenses
Drug conspiracy and related federal charges
The substance and quantity involved, what authorities accuse you of doing, and any prior convictions can affect the potential consequences you might face. Our attorneys can help determine whether municipal, state, or federal laws apply and examine whether the evidence supports the allegations against you.
How We Defend Drug Charges
Prosecutors must prove the elements of the drug offense charged against you. Our attorneys can examine the evidence and circumstances of your case for legal or factual weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Depending on your case, we may be able to pursue the following defenses:
The stop, search, or seizure: We can review how officers obtained drugs or other evidence and whether they complied with constitutional requirements.
Possession: If police found drugs in a shared home, vehicle, or other space, we can examine the evidence they use to claim that you knowingly possessed them.
Drug identification and quantity: We can review laboratory evidence and how the authorities identified and calculated the amount of the alleged substance.
Alleged intent to distribute: If prosecutors claim you intended to distribute drugs, we can examine the evidence they use to support that allegation.
Statements and other evidence: We can review interviews, surveillance, electronic communications, witness accounts, and other evidence prosecutors may use against you.
Our team has decades of courtroom experience handling serious criminal cases. We have represented clients facing felony drug charges, conspiracy cases, RICO matters, and other complex state and federal prosecutions. Our attorneys have handled criminal matters at the trial and appellate levels in courts across the country. Contact us today to start building a strong drug crime defense.
Contact Our Experienced Kansas City Drug Crime Defense Lawyers Today
If you face a drug investigation or charge, the court handling your case can affect the laws, procedures, and potential consequences you face. Understanding the allegations and your options can help you make informed decisions about your defense.
At Wyrsch Hobbs Mirakian, our experienced attorneys defend clients facing drug investigations. We can review the evidence, explain the charges and possible consequences, identify potential challenges to the government's case, and represent you through negotiations or trial. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, we serve clients throughout Missouri, Kansas, and nationwide. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.