Hidalgo County Drug Crime Lawyer
Fighting for the Accused in Texas
Drug crimes are among the most common offenses prosecuted in Texas. These crimes can range from simple possession for your personal use to drug trafficking across state lines. Texas carries tough penalties for drug crimes with consequences that can negatively impact your life long into the future. These stiff penalties can include jail or prison sentences, heavy fines, and lengthy probations in which you will be under the supervision of the court and subject to restrictive terms and conditions.
You will likely face other collateral consequences as well after a drug conviction. These can range from difficulty finding employment to financial distress and reputational harm based on a criminal record.
You may not understand the criminal justice system or the laws applicable to your case. Amid the stress and overwhelm of being charged, you may be intimidated into thinking your best way to deal with the situation is to accept a plea deal. However, it would be best to never admit guilt without consulting a knowledgeable and skilled criminal defense attorney first.
At Anthony M. Ortega, PLLC, you can turn to a defense lawyer in Alamo who is a former prosecutor and who thoroughly understands what you are up against, how the courts operate, and how to navigate the system for optimum results. Mr. Ortega will thoroughly investigate your case in search of potential errors and other weaknesses that can benefit you. He and his team always prepare cases for trial, which means you will be put in the strongest legal position possible, which can increase your chances of a favorable outcome.
Discuss your arrest and charges with our Hidalgo County drug crime attorney in a complimentary consultation. Call us at (956) 300-1402 today.
Marijuana Drug Crimes in Texas
While other states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, possession of marijuana generally remains unlawful in our state. Possession of two ounces or less is charged as a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000. Marijuana possession of four ounces up to five pounds becomes a felony punishable by 180 days up to two years and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Like other drug crimes, possession, sale, and cultivation of marijuana are charged based on the amount involved and other factors, such as if minors were involved in the offense.
However, many Texas cities and counties have decriminalized marijuana possession in amounts ranging from two to four ounces. This means these incidents will not generally be prosecuted in these areas unless they are part of a felony-level narcotics case. Currently, only medical marijuana is legal in Hildalgo County.
If you have been arrested for a marijuana drug crime, get advice and guidance from our attorney for the help you need.
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Drug Crimes in Texas
The Texas Controlled Substances Act regulates drugs in Texas. This Act classifies drugs into different penalty groups based on their potential for abuse and their medicinal value. The Schedule of Controlled Substances ranges from Schedule I (drugs with the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use) to Schedule V (drugs with a lower potential for abuse and accepted medical use).
Schedule I drugs in Penalty Groups 1 and 1-B include narcotics such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. How you are charged, and the penalties you will face in these Penalty Groups and all others will depend on the type of drug involved, the quantity, and other facts and circumstances of your case.
For example, if you have less than a gram of the drugs listed in these Penalty Groups, you will be charged with a state jail felony punishable by 180 days up to two years. Amounts higher than that are charged as felonies that can lead to two up to 99 years in prison, along with fines as high as $100,000, depending on the case.
Drug crimes in Texas can include:
- Simple possession for one’s own use
- Possession of drugs for distribution or sale
- Drug manufacture or cultivation
- Drug trafficking
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Sale or distribution of drugs to minors
- Possession or distribution of drugs in drug-free zones
- Drugged driving