Drug Offenses (possession charges)
Drug Possession and Delivery Defense in Dallas, TX
At Estrada & Puente, P.L.L.C. in Dallas, TX, we work with clients facing drug charges for various substances and paraphernalia. While a drug conviction may not seem as serious as more violent crimes, it will have a detrimental effect on your reputation and ability to gain employment, ultimately hindering your financial situation. We encourage anyone facing drug charges to contact us right away so we can help reduce the consequences of your arrest. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.
Penalties of Drug Charges
The penalties you face for drug charges will depend on the circumstances of your situation and your prior record. If you have previous drug convictions, the penalties will be increased from the sentence handed out for the first-time offense. The court will consider other factors: what kind and how much drugs were in possession, were children involved in the offense, or did the crime occur near a school zone. Possible drug penalties include:
- Possession of a Penalty 1 Substance – Possession of less than one gram may include 180 days to two years in a state jail and fines up to $10,000.
- Manufacturing or Delivering a Penalty 1 Substance – If it’s less than one gram, the punishment can be the same as possession of a penalty 1 substance.
- Marijuana Possession – The penalty depends on the amount in possession. Anything between four ounces and five pounds can require jail time. Over 2,000 pounds could call for anywhere from five to 99 years in prison and fines up to $50,000, but it could also result in life in prison.
- Marijuana Delivery – Getting caught delivering more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana might include a life prison sentence, or anywhere from five to 99 years in prison, and fines up to $100,000.
Common Drug Charges
If you’re caught with drugs, even marijuana, there can be more than one charge brought against you, depending on the circumstances of your arrest. This can make a difficult situation even harder to comprehend when you hear the legal terms and charges associated with your case. For this reason, it’s essential you have a knowledgeable drug attorney on your side to help you understand what it all means. Common drug charges include:
- Possession of a controlled substance
- Manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance
- Use of a child in the commission of a drug crime
- Delivering drugs to a minor
- Possession of or delivering drugs in a drug-free zone
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Delivery of drug paraphernalia
Defense Tactics Against Drug Charges
If you’ve been arrested for drug possession or delivery charges, you should never assume you don’t have a case or accept a plea deal without speaking with our drug defense attorneys. As with any arrest, you have rights that need to be protected. We can look at possible ways to defend your case, including:
- Proving the drugs didn’t belong to you
- Showing that the police violated your rights
- Finding errors made by the drug lab
- Lack of evidence
- The quantity of drugs isn’t enough to require charges
- Someone used your name wrongly
- You happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time
Don’t Take a Drug Arrest Without a Fight
If you’ve been arrested for a drug possession offense, you must do everything you can to clear your name or reduce the charges and penalties. Our team at Estrada & Puente, P.L.L.C. knows the justice system inside and out. We know there’s a lot you can do with our help to fight a drug charge, and we’re here to make sure you get all of the defense you need. Contact us to schedule a consultation today.