Drug Attorney in Kansas City

Although the crime rate in the U.S. and Missouri is on the decline, more Americans are getting arrested than ever before, and a shocking number of individuals in jails and prisons throughout Missouri are there due to drug crime convictions. The sentences for even the most minor drug charges can be severe, and the battle to provide a strong criminal defense demands a knowledgeable and experienced Kansas City, MO, drug law firm who is willing to tirelessly defend your rights.

If you are dealing with even a small drug charge, it is in your best interest to ensure that the criminal defense attorney representing you has the experience, the proven track record, and the dedication to your case to be successful. Drug crime convictions can bring considerable penalties, and drug crime cases are strongly pursued by police and prosecutors with one objective: to get a conviction. If your criminal defense attorney can’t fight back with the exact same or greater level of force, then you may face major repercussions.

No matter what type of drug charge you may be facing, the Benjamin Law Firm, LLC is here to help. Read on to learn more about Missouri’s drug laws and how a skilled drug attorney in Kansas City can help you limit the life-altering impacts of a Missouri drug conviction.

Drug Possession Lawyer

Missouri drug laws are known to be some of the toughest in the country. This is particularly true of the state’s laws on drug possession, and a drug possession charge is nothing to take lightly, even for first-time offenders. 

Missouri Drug Possession Laws

Under Missouri law, a person commits the offense of possession of a controlled substance in Missouri when he or she knowingly possesses a controlled substance.

That may seem straightforward, laws regarding drug possession are complex and filled with small important details that can allow criminal defense attorneys to make a good defense. There’s also a difference between actual and constructive drug possession. For example, actual possession means an individual has a controlled substance within their reach, like in a pocket or a purse.

On the other hand, constructive possession means an individual doesn’t have drugs on them but has the intention and power at a given time to exercise control or dominion over the drugs directly or through another individual or individuals. In other words, an individual has control and access to the area where the drugs are found, and the drugs can be traced back to that individual.

Drug Charges Consequences

These are a few of the potential consequences, both legal and social, of a Missouri drug crime conviction:

• Prison or jail time: Some major drug-related offenses like drug trafficking might lead to as much as 30 years to life in prison. 
• Fines: You might be required to pay fines of as much as $10,000, depending upon the charge, the kind of drug, and the quantity of the drug associated with the underlying offense. 
• Child custody loss: You might lose child visitation or custody rights after a drug conviction, especially if the offense occurred in the presence of a child. 
• Career impacts: A drug conviction can hinder your ability to secure meaningful work. 
• Financial aid: Following a drug conviction, you might no longer be qualified to receive financial aid for higher education. 
• Housing: A drug conviction on your permanent record might impede your ability to rent a home or apartment.

How a Drug Attorney Can Help

Due to the fact that legal drug cases can be so complex, and the possible repercussions of a drug charge so major, you should offer yourself the best opportunity at a successful outcome by working with a trusted criminal defense law firm in Kansas City.

Legal representation from a criminal defense attorney experienced with KC drug cases can assist with a number of elements of a criminal drug case. Those consist of:

• Investigation: A criminal defense attorney can begin representing you immediately after you discover that you may be under a drug investigation, being there for you when you’re questioned by authorities or when you or your residential or commercial property are being searched. An excellent criminal defense attorney can assert your civil liberties concerning searches and seizures, help to ensure that law enforcement acts in accordance with the law while questioning or apprehending you, and secure your rights when authorities utilize knowledge from a private informant.
• Establishing a strong criminal defense in accordance with the law: A great drug defense attorney will analyze your case from every possible angle. That consists of taking a look at all of the truths of your case, examining the scenarios surrounding your charge, submitting all essential documentation, securing your rights in court, challenging proof acquired through unlawful wiretaps or searches, working out prospective plea deals, and discussing all pertinent laws. 
• Advocating leniency: A drug attorney can try to encourage a judge, jury, or district attorney to be lenient in making criminal defense choices about the case, depending on the factors of the case. 
• Drug diversion program: If you have no previous criminal history, you might be qualified to go through drug abuse treatment in lieu of conviction and a prison or jail sentence. A law firm can help advocate for this option on your behalf.
• Getting the legal case dismissed: If truth and the law are on the side of the defendant, a drug defense attorney or a law firm will work to get the case dismissed entirely.

Drug charges ranging from possession to trafficking can result in both large and small repercussions, each of which might be felt for years to come. Hiring a drug crime defense lawyer in Kansas City with a proven criminal defense track record can help reduce your sentence or even have your charges dopped, limiting the potential consequences of a conviction.

Expungement Drug Crime Attorney

Hiring a drug attorney in Kansas City is not only helpful when facing criminal charges for drug offenses but also after a drug crime conviction has been added to your criminal record.

Under Missouri law, your criminal record containing a drug crime might get approved for expungement or “closure” if certain requirements are met. If your record is expunged, you will not have to state that you were jailed or found guilty of criminal activity.

Missouri Expungement Drug Crimes

Arrest or conviction records for many types of misdemeanors and felonies, including nearly all drug crimes, are qualified for expungement. As soon as the record is expunged, it will only be visible to the courts, police, and specific employers.

Drug Lawyers Near Me

Being accused of a drug crime can have consequences that follow you for years. You will want to concentrate on your career, your finances, and your personal life, but a drug-related conviction can destroy all that if you do not resist. You shouldn’t have to tackle it on your own.

At The Benjamin Law Firm, LLC, our DWI Attorneys in KC Mo know how hard it can be to handle a drug charge and how challenging recuperating from a conviction will be. That’s why we’re here to help you conquer your charges prior to a guilty conviction so you can get your life back on track as quickly as possible.

It may feel frustrating or hopeless, but your criminal defense is necessary. We’re driven by outcomes, and our focus is on our clients and their futures. Set up a free consultation and visit a drug lawyer in the Kansas City Metro area who puts your future first, and we’ll show you why we’re among the top criminal defense law firms in Kansas City. To arrange your free initial consultation, contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Charges

Understanding which crimes can be expunged and how the expungement process works can be tricky. Our lawyers Kansas City answer some common questions about expungements:

1. What is the difference between drug possession and trafficking?

Drug possession refers to having a controlled substance for personal use, typically in small quantities. Conversely, trafficking involves the distribution, sale, or large-scale transportation of drugs. The legal distinction hinges on the amount possessed and the intent inferred by it.

2. What are the potential penalties for drug charges?

Penalties for drug charges can range widely based on the substance type, amount, and defendant’s prior offenses. Possession charges might lead to fines and possible jail time, whereas trafficking can result in significant prison sentences and heftier fines. Each case’s specifics critically influence the severity of these penalties.

3. How can a lawyer help reduce penalties for drug charges?

A skilled drug defense lawyer can navigate the complexities of drug laws to advocate for reduced charges, argue for alternative sentences like rehabilitation in lieu of jail time, or even secure a case dismissal if procedural errors are evident. Effective legal representation is crucial for a favorable outcome.

4. How long do I have to wait to request an expungement?

You will need to wait 7 years to request expungement if your case led to a felony conviction and 3 years for arrest records or misdemeanor convictions.

5. How many expungements can I have?

You can only expunge one felony record and 2 misdemeanor records in your lifetime.

6. How do I seek expungement?

Pursuing expungement in Missouri is a relatively straightforward process, but one that is filled with possibilities for mistakes and omissions. If you are seeking expungement, you should consult a drug attorney in Kansas City to ensure that the process goes smoothly and that your records are completely expunged.