Chesterfield Drug Distribution Attorney

Facing Drug Distribution Charges

Being accused of drug distribution can change your life in an instant. An arrest in Chesterfield or the surrounding area may leave you worried about prison, your job, and your family, and unsure where to turn. You need clear information and a reliable legal advocate, not judgment.

At The Hammer Law Firm, LLC, we defend people facing felony drug allegations in and around Chesterfield, Missouri. Our attorneys bring more than 60 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case. As former prosecutors, we understand how these cases are built and what it takes to challenge the evidence.

We know that your future, your record, and your freedom are at stake. Our goal is to guide you through each step, explain your options in plain language, and work to protect what matters most.

Contact us today at (314) 334-3807 to schedule a free consultation.

What is Drug Distribution?

Under Missouri law, specifically RSMo § 579.020, drug distribution—formally known as "delivery of a controlled substance"—is defined broadly. It isn't limited to the traditional "sale" of narcotics for money. You can be charged with distribution if the state alleges you:

• Knowingly Distributed or Delivered: Handing over a controlled substance to another person, regardless of whether money changed hands.
• Attempted to Distribute: Taking a "substantial step" toward the delivery of a drug.
• Possession with Intent to Distribute: Having a quantity of drugs larger than what is typical for personal use, or possessing "tools of the trade" such as scales, individual packaging (baggies), and large amounts of cash.
• Permitting a Minor to Purchase/Transport: Allowing someone under 17 to engage in the movement or purchase of illegal substances.

The state does not need to prove you were a "kingpin." In Chesterfield, even sharing a prescription pill with a friend can technically meet the statutory definition of delivery.

Penalties for Drug Distribution in Missouri

Missouri is known for having some of the most rigorous drug laws in the country. The severity of the penalty is primarily determined by the type of drug, the quantity, and the location of the alleged offense.

Felony Classifications

Most distribution charges are classified as Class C Felonies, which carry a sentence of 3 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. However, the charges can be upgraded quickly:

Aggravating Factors

If the alleged distribution occurred within 2,000 feet of a school or 1,000 feet of a public park or public housing, the charge is elevated to a Class A Felony. Given the density of parks and schools in the Chesterfield area, many defendants find themselves facing these enhanced penalties without even realizing they were in a "protected location."

Legal Defenses to Drug Distribution

A skilled Chesterfield drug distribution lawyer will scrutinize every piece of evidence to find a pathway to a dismissal or reduction of charges. Common defense strategies include:

Unlawful Search and Seizure

The Fourth Amendment protects you from "unreasonable" searches. If the Chesterfield police searched your vehicle, home, or person without a valid warrant, probable cause, or a legal exception, the evidence found (the drugs) may be suppressed. If the drugs are thrown out, the prosecution's case often collapses.

Lack of Knowledge

To be convicted, the state must prove you knowingly possessed and intended to distribute the substance. If you were driving a friend's car and were unaware there were drugs hidden in the console, or if you were delivered a package you didn't know contained narcotics, you may have a "lack of knowledge" defense.

Personal Use vs. Distribution

Prosecutors often overcharge individuals. If you were found with a larger-than-average quantity of a drug but no scales, ledgers, or packaging materials, we can argue that the drugs were for “personal use.” This can move the charge from a high-level distribution felony to a lower-level possession charge, which may qualify you for diversion programs.

Entrapment

If law enforcement or a confidential informant pressured, harassed, or coerced you into committing a crime you otherwise wouldn't have committed, an entrapment defense may be viable.

Drug Distribution Charge FAQs

Is marijuana distribution still a crime in Missouri?

Yes. While Missouri has legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21+, distribution without a commercial license remains illegal. Distributing more than 35 grams is still a felony.

What is "Constructive Possession"?

You don't have to have the drugs in your pocket to be charged. If the drugs were in a place you had "dominion and control" over—like your glove box or bedroom—the state can argue you had constructive possession.

Can I get into a Drug Court program?

Chesterfield cases are typically handled through the St. Louis County circuit. Depending on your criminal history and the specifics of the case, you may be eligible for a Drug Court program, which focuses on rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Successful completion can sometimes lead to a dismissal of the charges.

How Our Attorneys Defend These Cases

Drug distribution cases often hinge on how evidence was obtained and how it is interpreted. As former prosecutors, our attorneys understand how state and federal authorities investigate these matters, from street-level traffic stops to longer-term investigations involving task forces and informants. We use that insight to look closely at each stage of the case.

Many investigations begin with a traffic stop, a search of a vehicle or residence, or information from a cooperating witness. We examine whether officers had a lawful basis to stop you, whether any search was supported by a valid warrant or a recognized exception, and whether your constitutional rights were respected during questioning. We also look at the reliability and motives of informants and the way controlled buys or surveillance were conducted.

As adjunct professors at Saint Louis University School of Law, our attorneys regularly teach and think about criminal law and procedure. This work keeps us focused on developments that can affect suppression motions, evidentiary issues, and trial strategy in drug cases. Mark Hammer also serves as a Lead Panel Attorney in the Eastern District of Missouri's Criminal Justice Act Program, which is particularly important when there is a risk that a case could be pursued in federal court.

Key Aspects We Carefully Review In Drug Distribution Cases:

• Circumstances of the stop, arrest, and any search
• Reliability and motives of informants or cooperating witnesses
• How drugs, cash, or paraphernalia were tested, documented, and stored
• Evidence of actual selling activity versus mere possession
• Whether law enforcement respected your right to remain silent

Our goal is to identify legal and factual issues that may support a motion to suppress evidence, a challenge to the charges, or more favorable negotiations. Every case is different, so we take time to understand your situation and to explain how the law applies to your facts.

Call (314) 334-3807 to speak with our team about your drug distribution case.