Aside from the obvious notion that committing a drug crime offense is something to take seriously, it’s important to also understand why.
Let’s start with three main reasons you need the right drug crimes lawyer fighting for you.
First, some prosecutors still aggressively prosecute drug cases. Others might consider rejecting drug cases or offering pretrial diversion or other options to avoid aggressive prosecution.
Having an experienced Dallas drug lawyer who knows the system and the players involved can help steer your case in the best direction.
Second, drug offenses carry serious consequences like lengthy prison sentences, steep fines, and a lifelong criminal record.
Third, they often carry unexpected consequences most people don’t even think about.
For example, in Dallas, a drug crimes conviction can lead to a driver’s license suspension and loss of financial aid eligibility. However, it is possible to fight back! An experienced Dallas drug crimes attorney can help protect your rights.
Every case is different and at the end of the day how you’re returning to your everyday life is at stake. This is why understanding the type of drug crime offense you fall under, is the foundation of figuring out what your options are.
TYPES OF DRUG CRIME OFFENSES IN DALLAS
Possession
Drug Possession charges are among the most common drug crimes offenses. These cases usually arise when drugs are found on you, near you, or in a building or vehicle that is in some way connected to you.
Drug possession charges can lead to serious consequences like long prison sentences and thousands of dollars of fines. Moreover, the damage to your reputation, criminal record, and career can be permanent.
Many people aren’t even aware of other penalties like driver’s license suspension and loss of the right to vote or possess a firearm.
Possession with the Intent to Deliver
Intent to deliver cases generally involves possession of larger quantities of drugs and/or things like scales, individual baggies, and large quantities of cash.
Punishment ranges for possession with the intent to deliver varies by drug and by drug weight.
Manufacture, Delivery, and Distribution
Manufacturing a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance carry heavier penalties and harsher prosecution than possession.
Because law enforcement is so motivated to go after these cases, it is perhaps even more important to ensure that the police did not violate your rights.
Punishment ranges for the manufacture of a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance vary by drug and by drug weight.
If you are facing manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to deliver charge, you need serious help. Police, prosecutors, and courts take these cases more seriously than simple possession charges.
Local, state, and federal law enforcement aggressively focus time, energy, and considerable firepower on these cases. Having a Dallas possession intent to deliver a lawyer on your team is absolutely essential.
The war on drugs is definitely in full swing still in Texas. Manufacture, delivery, and possession with intent to deliver cases can result in serious consequences. Lengthy prison sentences and large fines are common.
PENALTIES FOR DRUG CRIMES:
Under Texas law, penalties for drug crimes are controlled by the Texas Controlled Substances Act which divides drugs into different penalty groups.
Group One
Cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine are penalty group one substance. Possession of controlled substance charges for a drug in penalty group one are charged as follows:
- less than one gram is a state jail felony
- one gram to four grams is a third-degree felony
- four grams to 200 grams is a second-degree felony
- 200 grams to 400 grams is a first-degree felony
- 400 grams+ is an enhanced first-degree felony
Group Two
Ecstasy (molly or MDMA), mescaline, hashish, and THC oil are penalty group two substances. Possession of
controlled substance charges for a drug in penalty group two are charged as follows:
- less than one gram is a state jail felony
- one gram to four grams is a third-degree felony
- four grams to 400 grams is a second-degree felony
- 400 grams or more is a first-degree felony
Groups Three and Four
Illegal possession of prescription drugs such as hydrocodone, Valium, Xanax, Adderall, and Ritalin fall under penalty groups three and four.
Possession of a controlled substance in penalty groups of three or four charges vary based on weight. For instance, in group three, under 28 grams is charged as a Class A misdemeanor and 28 grams to 400 grams is charged as a second-degree felony.
In group four, less than 28 grams is charged as a Class B misdemeanor and 28 grams to 400 grams is a third-degree felony.
Finding the right Dallas Drug lawyer can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands.
You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Lawyers are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interests. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.
Talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions?
Do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee?
Beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you or who make big promises. No attorney should ever make a guarantee about a case.
Absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.
Furthermore, being marked a felon, losing your right to vote, and even losing your right to drive can hold you back for the rest of your life.
You need a Dallas possession intent to deliver an attorney you can trust. You need Mike Howard in your corner.
What Makes Mike Howard Different
Many lawyers take advantage of their clients’ ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach: a knowledgeable client is a happy client, so we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website. We also offer free consultations, schedule yours today.
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