Houston Drug Trafficking Attorney

Offering Criminal Defense Services to the Accused

Texas takes drug offenses quite seriously, especially drug trafficking. If you were arrested for this crime and you don’t fight back within the legal system, you could end up with years of prison time and expensive fines. This is why you should get legal help from an experienced criminal defense lawyer who has won drug trafficking cases for previous clients.

At the Cory Roth Law Office, we have helped numerous clients avoid conviction and prison time for drug offenses. If you want to learn how we would approach your drug trafficking case, contact us for an initial consultation with a caring criminal defense attorney.

What Is Drug Trafficking?

Drug trafficking is among the most severe drug offenses you can be accused of in Texas, as this charge refers to manufacturing, transporting, or possessing controlled substances with the intent to deliver them.

If you’re charged with this drug offense, it means the police believe the illegal drugs you had in your possession were not only for your own use, but to distribute to others for profit. Whilepossession of certain controlled substances is illegal, it’s typically a misdemeanor, while drug trafficking is frequentlya felony because it involves providing harmful substances to other people.

In most cases, the police suspect drug trafficking when someone is caught with a large quantity of a controlled substance. However, it’s possible to be accused of this crime even if you have a small amount of the drug, as certain evidence can suggest the intent to sell or transport a controlled substance.

For instance, if the police search you or your vehicle and find small baggies for packaging drugs or a lot of cash, they might decide this means you’re selling illegal substances. Fortunately, an experienced Houston drug trafficking lawyer can fight this accusation so your charges are reduced to drug possession or your case is dropped entirely. Call our law office to discuss the possible defense angles for your case.

How Serious Are Drug Trafficking Charges in Texas?

Drug trafficking charges are oftenconsidered felonies in Texas, but the degree of felony depends on the type of drug you’re accused of trafficking. The Texas Controlled Substance Act categorizes drugs into four groups based on their potential for addiction. So, the specific felony charge and associated punishment you face will depend on the category of drug involved in your case.

The categories of controlled substances in Texas include:

Penalty Group 1: Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, oxycodone, ketamine, and morphine
Penalty Group 1A: LSD
Penalty Group 1B: Fentanyl
Penalty Group 2: Ecstasy, mescaline, PCP, and mushrooms
Penalty Group 2A: synthetic cannabinoids, such as K2 and spice
Penalty Group 3: Peyote, anabolic steroids, and prescription medications, such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ritalin, and Ativan
Penalty Group 4: Medications with small amounts of opium or codeine

In general, the drugs in the first few penalty groups are considered the most dangerous because they’re highly addictive and have few medical uses. So, if you’re charged with trafficking drugs in those groups, your penalties will be severe, which is why you need to talk to a Houston criminal defense lawyer. Call our Houston law firm to learn how we plan to fight your drug charges.

What Are the Penalties of Drug Trafficking in Texas?

Drug trafficking penalties include jail time and fines, though some can result in years in prison and other severe consequences. Your specific penalties will vary depending on which penalty group the drugs are in and the quantity you allegedly possessed.

For example, if you’re accused of trafficking less than 1 gram of a drug in penalty group 1, you face a state jail felony that could lead to fines of up to $10,000 and between 180 days and two years in a state jail. On the other hand, if you’re caught with 200 grams of this type of drug, it’s a first-degree felony, which can result in fines of up to $100,000 and between 5 and 99 years in prison. The consequences are similar for offenses involving drugs in penalty group 2.

The penalties become less severe if your charges involve drugs in penalty group 3, though they can still result in jail time. For instance, trafficking a small amount of a drug in penalty group 3 is a Class A misdemeanor can be punished by up to $4,000 in fines and one year in jail. However, if you allegedly had 400 grams or more of the drug, the charge would become a first-degree felony that could lead to up to $50,000 in fines and 5 to 99 years in prison.

Finally, trafficking less than 28 grams of a drug in penalty group 4 is a Class B misdemeanor that could result in up to $2,000 in fines and up to 180 days in jail. By contrast, trafficking over 400 grams is a first-degree felony punished by up to $50,000 in fines and 5 to 99 years in prison. If you want to avoid these penalties, you need a skilled lawyer to represent you, so call our Houston law office today.

How Can a Houston Drug Trafficking Lawyer Assist You?

If your goal is to avoid a drug trafficking conviction, it’s essential to hire an experienced Houston criminal defense attorney to learn what the most effective defense angle would be for your case. At the Cory Roth Law Office, our team has defended countless clients from felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

We understand the importance of getting the case dropped, achieving a not-guilty verdict, or at least reducing the charges. That’s why we work hard for every client accused of serious criminal offenses. If you want to know how our trusted drug trafficking lawyer will defend you from drug charges, call us at 832-400-4133 to schedule an initial consultation before the first court date in your case.