Although several states have legalized marijuana in recent years, Texas continues to prosecute marijuana possession offenses. Even a small amount of marijuana found to be in your possession can result in criminal charges and penalties. Possessing less than two ounces of marijuana can be prosecuted as a Class B misdemeanor, which can lead to jail time, fines and other restrictions. There may be defenses or other options for resolving charges, and the best strategy for obtaining a favorable outcome is to hire a drug possession lawyer in Galveston, TX.
With the help of a Galveston drug crime lawyer, it is possible to reach a plea agreement on misdemeanor charges or reduced punishment. These include benzodiazepines, anabolic steroids, methylphenidate, and other prescription drugs that have a stimulating or depressive effect. The two most important factors will be the specific controlled substance that was supposedly in possession. The pot is not included in any penalty group, which is a category of its own when it comes to drug possession charges in Texas.
Those facing a drug possession charge for the first time are often overwhelmed and anxious to know what to expect from the criminal justice process. For example, if you are in possession of a drug that belongs to Penalization Group 1, the charge may be considered a misdemeanor with one or two years in jail and a fine to be determined in court. The above information about the seriousness of drug charges may make your situation look a little bleak, but always remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. Possession of cocaine of less than 1 gram is a state jail felony that carries a prison sentence of 6 months to 2 years.
As mentioned above, drugs included in penalty group one are the most dangerous and the most regulated under Texas law. Then, you can decide if you want Neal Davis' help in the legal defense of Harris County, Fort Bend, or Montgomery County drug charges. If you were on federal property, crossed state lines while in possession of a controlled substance, or performed something that would otherwise activate federal criminal jurisdiction, your case could end up in federal hands. These factors need to be considered when you think about the seriousness of drug possession charges in Texas.
With larger quantities of certain substances, the charge may be a first-degree felony for “possession of drugs with intent to distribute.” In addition to Penalty Groups, drug crime charges in Texas can also be based on the circumstances surrounding an arrest.