Criminal Defense, Personal Injury & Sexual Assault Victims Law Firm
Heroin and Fentanyl Criminal Charges
Heroin and Fentanyl are highly addictive opioid substances that in recent times have been widespread across St. Louis and St. Charles metropolitan areas. They are most commonly prevalent in powder or capsule form which is itself ingested or is sometimes directly injected into the body by way of a syringe. Even though these are non-violent crimes, prosecutors take these charges very seriously because ingestion or distribution could lead to serious injury or death.
The range of punishment often stretches from D Felony all the way to an A felony, which carries a 10-year minimum sentence.
Prosecutors in some counties in Missouri are even charging those who distribute heroin that leads to an overdose as Assault. Many users are struggling with an addiction and need legal help and treatment. Fortunately, the Krupp Law Firm and its attorneys know what to do in this situation.
ORDER OF BARRISTERS
Overview of Missouri Law on Heroin Charges:
Heroin Possession: D Felony
Heroin and Fentanyl are considered Schedule I Controlled Substance as defined by Missouri Law.
In Missouri, a person commits the offense of possession of a controlled substance if he or she knowingly possesses a controlled substance, except as authorized by Missouri Law.
The offense of possession of any controlled substance except thirty-five grams or less of marijuana or any synthetic cannabinoid is a class D felony. Thus, possession of heroin or fentanyl in any quantity may result in a D Felony charge.
Distribution of Heroin: C to B Felony
Distribution of heroin is a serious criminal offense in the state of Missouri. If an individual is charged with distributing heroin, they may be facing a Class C to Class B felony, depending on the circumstances of the case.
Class C felony is considered to be the least severe of the felony offenses and carries a prison sentence of up to 7 years and a fine of up to $5,000.
Class B felony is considered to be more severe and carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a fine of up to $20,000.
The specific charge an individual may face will depend on the amount of heroin they are alleged to have distributed, as well as any prior criminal history they may have. If the individual has prior drug convictions, they may face harsher penalties.
It is important for anyone facing drug distribution charges to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you to understand the specific charges you are facing, as well as the potential consequences if you are convicted. Krupp Law Firm can develop a defense strategy to help minimize the potential penalties and protect your legal rights.
Distribution of Heroin in a Protected Location: A Felony
Distribution of heroin in a protected location is a serious felony offense. It refers to the act of selling, delivering, or distributing heroin in a place that is protected by law, such as a school, park, or government building. This type of crime carries severe penalties, including long prison sentences and significant fines.
In Missouri, the penalties for the distribution of heroin in a protected location are outlined in the state's criminal code. The specific penalties will depend on the amount of heroin involved in the crime and the defendant's prior criminal record.
It's important to note that the distribution of heroin is a federal crime, and it could result in federal charges which have harsher fines and sentencing.
It's important for anyone facing charges of distribution of heroin in a protected location to contact an experienced drug defense attorney at Krupp Law Firm immediately. Our attorneys can review the case, help the defendant understand the charges and the potential penalties, and work to develop a strong defense strategy.
How Krupp Law Firm Helps Your Case
The Krupp Law Firm closely looks at the evidence against you right from the beginning with the idea that any criminal charge might go to trial. We analyze your defenses and compare them to what sort of treatment you could benefit from in a drug court or treatment plan, rather than fighting the case. If the case needs to be fought, the Krupp Law Firm has experience on both sides of these cases and has fought and won heroin cases in court.
Drug Courts and Treatment
St. Louis, St. Charles and other counties are putting a lot of emphasis on their drug and recovery courts. These courts are aimed at helping individuals who struggle with addiction, rather than prosecuting them. These courts are especially geared toward heroin and fentanyl addicts because of the rate of addiction and its dangers. The Krupp Law Firm has handled many cases in which someone addicted to dangerous substances benefited greatly from these drug court treatment plans and can help you decided if the program is right for your situation.
Municipal Courts
Learn About Your Legal Options
Take The Next Step and request your free consultation.