DRUG POSSESSION ATTORNEY IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Are the police accusing you of a drug crime? Kansas and Missouri have some of the strictest drug crime laws in the country – if you’re on trial, you’ll need a lawyer’s help. Luckily, for clients in the Kansas City, MO area, there’s hope. Attorney Jeff Jarrett is a veteran criminal defense lawyer who has helped his clients fight against charges like drug trafficking and possession since 1985. He’s an approachable, amicable, and intelligent lawyer for clients in any of these areas:
Kansas City, MO
Jackson County, MO
Clay County, MO
Johnson County, KS
Wyandotte County, KS
Leavenworth County, KS
When to Consult a Drug Possession Lawyer
Drug laws in the U.S. are going through a renaissance right now. While substances like cannabis have are reaching a national critical mass, other drugs like psychedelics are also seeing new acceptance in certain areas. Unfortunately, none of those areas include Kansas City. Here, possession of any amount of cannabis is still a serious crime. Both Missouri and Kansas have laws specifically prohibiting the sale, production, and use of cannabis. While some Missouri jurisdictions have decriminalized cannabis use (we’re looking at you, St. Louis), this tolerance has not yet spread statewide.
Cannabis isn’t the only crime that can land a user in jail in the Kansas City area. Just like any major metropolitan area in the US, you can find a number of illicit substances including:
Opioids – including painkillers like OxyContin or morphine and street drugs like heroin.
PCP or “Angel Dust” – a dangerous mind-altering drug hallucinogen.
Ketamine – a dissociative drug also known as “Special K”.
Cocaine – appears either in a powder to inhale or smokable “crack.”
LSD – a psychedelic with powerful hallucinogenic effects.
Methamphetamine – a public health scourge that can lead to violent psychosis.
If either Kansas or Missouri law enforcement is accusing you of possessing or trafficking any of these drugs, you need to hire a lawyer right away. Even simple drug possession can lead to significant fines and jail time without a lawyer. However, the right lawyer can help you mitigate the fallout from your drug crime.
Potential Penalties for Drug Possession
Missouri and Kansas both categorize drugs from Schedule I to Schedule V depending on the drugs’ danger and addiction potential. In Missouri, possession of 10 grams or less of cannabis is a misdemeanor crime with a $500 fine. However, possession of more than 35 grams (that’s about an ounce and a half) is punishable by up to seven years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Cannabis cultivation is also a serious crime. It’s a felony that can result in up to 10 years in jail and $10,000 in fines.
Missouri takes other drugs seriously, too. Just having a drug (other than cannabis) in your possession can net the offender seven years in jail and $10,000 in fines. The distribution of a controlled substance carries even harsher punishments. Selling drugs will earn the offender up to 15 years in jail.
Kansas treats possession of cannabis nearly the same as possession of drugs like cocaine or heroin. A first offense is punishable by a year in jail and $2,500 in fines. Possession of heroin or cocaine is always a felony. For less than a gram of heroin, you could face up to 14 months in jail. For possessing higher amounts of drugs, you could end up in jail for 17 years and face half a million dollars in fines.
These laws all seem fairly draconian. However, a capable lawyer may be able to reduce or even dismiss your drug charges entirely. With more than 30 years of experience under his belt, Jeff is a veteran lawyer for drug charges. He’s helped countless clients in Kansas City, MO and the surrounding area fight for their rights in drug cases. Don’t try to tackle this alone. If you’re not a legal professional, you’ll have difficulty navigating the legal quagmire of criminal court. Instead, choose an attorney that can help you clear your name. Call attorney Jeff Jarrett today to schedule your free consultation.