Houston Drug Possession Attorney

Defending You from Drug Charges in Texas

If you’ve been accused of possessing illegal drugs in Texas, it’s important to speak with a Houston drug possession attorney for criminal defense help. If you’re convicted of this crime, you could end up with jail time, fines, or other penalties, depending on the type and amount of drug you allegedly possessed when arrested.

The legal team at the Cory Roth Law Office has successfully represented numerous clients who were accused of drug possession and other drug-related offenses. That’s why you can trust us to fight for you throughout your drug possession case. Contact our Houston law office today to schedule a consultation with a skilled drug possession lawyer.

How Is Drug Possession Defined in Texas?

You could be charged with drug possession if you knowingly or intentionally possess one or more controlled substances that Texas law considers unlawful. These include illicit drugs and prescription medications that were not prescribed to you.

While possession of any controlled substance is a serious criminal charge that could lead to jail or probation, possession of certain drugs can result in more severe penalties than others. In fact, theTexas Controlled Substance Act created several penalty groups categorizing drugs based on how addictive they are and what medical uses they have. The first few penalty groups contain the most harmful drugs, which means charges involving them are punished more harshly than others.

The drug penalty groups in Texas include:

Group 1: Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, ketamine, morphine, and oxycodone
Group 1A: LSD
Group 1B: Fentanyl
Group 2: Hallucinogens, including ecstasy, mushrooms, mescaline, and PCP
Group 2A: Synthetic cannabinoids, including K2 and spice
Group 3: Anabolic steroids, peyote, and prescription stimulants and depressants, including Ritalin, Xanax, and Valium
Group 4: Medications containing limited amounts of morphine or codeine

Note that marijuana isn’t included in the drug penalty groups. This is because its properties would put it in the group 1 drug penalty group, but the state does not wish to punish marijuana charges as harshly as the others. That being said, it’s still illegal to possess marijuana for recreational purposes in Texas, so you need legal support if you’re accused of this crime. Call our Houston law firm to talk to a drug possession attorney about your drug charges.

What Are the Penalties of Drug Possession Charges?

Drug possession can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the specific drug and quantity that you’re accused of possessing. In general, if you’re caught with a small amount of a drug in penalty group 4, you’re facing a Class B misdemeanor, while a moderate amount of a drug in penalty group 2 or 3 could be a third-degree felony.

The most serious drug charge is a first-degree felony, which you might face for a large quantity of drugs in any penalty group. Your Houston drug possession lawyer will let you know what penalties to expect for your charge, but it’s helpful to know the typical jail time and fines for felonies and misdemeanors in this state. They include:

Class B misdemeanor: Fines up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail
Class A misdemeanor: Fines up to $4,000 and 180 days to one year in jail
State jail felony: Fines up to $10,000 and 180 days to two years in jail
Third-degree felony: Fines up to $10,000 and two to ten years in prison
Second-degree felony: Fines up to $10,000 and two to 20 years in prison
First-degree felony: Fines between $50,000 and $250,000, plus 5 to 99 years in prison

In addition, it will be challenging to find housing or employment in the future with a felony conviction on your criminal record. If you can’t afford such penalties, it’s time to contact an experienced Houston drug possession lawyer for a chance to get the charges dismissed or reduced so you can avoid the maximum punishment.

How Can a Lawyer Defend You from Drug Possession Charges?

When you’re arrested for drug possession, you mightassume this means there is strong evidence that you committed the crime. However, this is not necessarily the case, as skilled lawyers can find many ways to fight serious charges. This is why you should avoid admitting guilt or incriminating yourself before you’ve talked to a lawyer.

When you hire an experienced Houston drug possession attorney, they will consider several defense angles that could apply to your case. Some of the most common ways to reduce or dismiss drug possession charges include:

You did not know you were in possession of controlled substances
The substance you were found with is not actually an illegal drug
You had a smaller amount of the drug than charged
The drugs were discovered through illegal search and seizure
The police ignored your constitutional rights during the arrest

When you hire a lawyer to represent you, they will carefully examine your case to determine if one of these or other defense angles would be effective in court. Call our Houston law office to find out how we would approach your drug possession case.

Are You Ready to Call a Houston Drug Possession Lawyer?

If you’re concerned about how a felony or misdemeanor conviction would affect your life, you should call a trusted law firm with years of experience defending Houston residents from serious criminal charges. When you call the Cory Roth Law Office, you’ll speak with a compassionate lawyer whose goal is to get the best possible outcome for you.

Our team will work hard to prove that you’re not guilty as charged, whether that means getting the case dismissed or negotiating your drug charges so you can avoid the most serious penalties. If you have questions about your case and want answers that will provide peace of mind, call 832-400-4133 to schedule a consultation with a Houston drug possession lawyer.