Williamson County Drug Charge Lawyer

Even a minor drug conviction can permanently ruin your future by establishing a criminal record. To give yourself the best chance to beat your charges, work with a Williamson County drug charge lawyer.

Getting accused of a drug crime is stressful and nerve-wracking, but getting convicted is a life-changing experience. You will face large fines, probation, and even jail or prison time. The penalties can leave you unable to find a job, and the social stigma will follow you for the rest of your life.

If you are facing criminal accusations involving a controlled substance or alcohol, you need to contact a Williamson County drug charge lawyer from Hines & Holub, PLLC and find out how to build a defense that can get your name clear and avoid the worst of the penalties before you.

Types of Drug Charges

State regulation of controlled dangerous substances (CDS) covers a wide array of different drug crimes. Often times, police and prosecutors will heavily over-charge defendants in an effort to get them to disclose information or pressure them into an unfavorable plea bargain.

A Williamson County drug charge lawyer from our firm can keep these individuals honest and prevent you from having to choose between an unfair deal and an unreasonable sentence. These are some of the types of drug crimes commonly seen in our area:

• • Manufacturing

• • Trafficking

• • Distributing

• • Possession

• • Public Intoxication

Types of Drugs and Their Legal Penalties

Controlled substances are divided into four groups and two subgroups, although marijuana is a completely separate group all its own. The most dangerous and addictive are in Group 1 and the severity of the charges drops from there to Group 4.

Many different factors will affect the types of charges and the penalties you face. The type of drug, the amount you were allegedly caught with, and whether the authorities think you had the intention to distribute.

• • Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, and certain oxycodones and hydrocodones that contain over 300 mg of the narcotic component make up Group 1.

• • LSD and related compounds are in Group 1-A.

• • Ecstasy (MDMA), mescaline, PCP, Marinol, and psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin make up Group 2.

• • Marijuana derivatives, concentrates, and extracts like hashish, concentrated marijuana oil, wax, and other synthetic cannabinoids are Group 2-A.

• • Central nervous system stimulants and depressants, such as Valium, Xanax, Ritalin, and less than 300 mg of hydrocodone or oxycodone, make up Group 3.

• • Group 4 is comprised of compounds that contain codeine, morphine, Motofen, Buprenorphine (an opioid), and Pyrovalerone.

• • Marijuana has a separate section in the Texas penal code, and like all other drugs, the class of crime and its punishments are directly related to the amount found in the possession of the defendant.

Penalties and Punishments for Drug-Related Criminal Charges

The legal penalties for any of these drug charges are based on the quantity of the substance allegedly found on the person and whether there was manufacturing or distribution involved. They can include fines of a few thousand dollars all the way up to $10,000 and sentences of anywhere from 180 days in jail to ninety-nine years in prison.

A Williamson County drug charge lawyer from our office can identify what the state is charging you with and help you understand both why and how to beat it.

Personal and Professional Costs of a Drug Conviction

A conviction for any drug crime will follow you for the rest of your life. With every job, residence, and loan you apply for, you'll have to explain the circumstances of your conviction and how you've progressed since. A drug charge can easily put your entire career at risk, and it's not at all uncommon for people to be fired and let go, even if imprisonment isn't included in the sentence.

Your personal relations will also be strained, whether it is with your neighbors, the parents of your children's friends, or with your immediate family. Simply being accused of a crime can have negative effects on the entire family because the stigma of drug-related charges is strong in many communities.

Defend Yourself or Hire a Defense Attorney?

After being accused of a drug crime, you have a few options for how to build your defense. You do have the option to represent yourself, but your best course of action is always to retain a Williamson County drug crime lawyer from our office.

The Dangers of Self-Representation

There is almost no reasonable way for defendants to successfully defend themselves in court. Even if you are proficient in criminal law, many prosecutors will not negotiate a plea deal without a defense lawyer present. This is often to avoid legal problems, like appeal opportunities.

Besides all of this, if you choose to take up this fight all on your own, it will encompass your entire life. You will have to spend every minute that you are not working planning your defense and filling out and filing legal documents, all while trying to decipher legal and governmental jargon.

The Merits of Hiring a Drug Crime Defense Attorney

The only real option available to you is to hire a criminal defense lawyer. We will give your case the time and attention it requires, providing you with detailed explanations every step of the way as well as a compassionate ear to listen to your worries. Your Williamson County drug charge lawyer will have the best investigative resources, contacts with expert witnesses in different fields, and more time to spend on the little details that may make or break your defense.

Williamson County Drug Charge FAQ

Few things are as stressful as getting arrested for a drug-related crime. You're certain to have questions about what's ahead, so we've provided answers to a few frequently asked questions in the space below. For additional information, please contact us so that you can speak with a Williamson County drug charge lawyer.

What can I do if I've been accused of an alcohol charge?

Alcohol-related charges can be every bit as serious as other drug charges. Whether you are accused of public intoxication or providing minors with alcohol, the effects on your personal and professional lives can be dramatic. An alcohol charge should be fought in court just like any other.

Can I really be arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia even if it hasn't been used?

Yes, possession of drug paraphernalia, such as bongs and certain types of pipes, is illegal-especially if the arresting officer determines that you had the intention to either use or sell it. Depending on the circumstances, you could be charged with either a class A or C misdemeanor or a state jail felony.

Can I be arrested for possession of prescription drugs?

Yes, unless you have a prescription for the type and dosage of the prescription drug that was found in your possession. Depending on the quantity, you might also be charged with intent to distribute.

Consult a Williamson County Drug Crime Attorney

If you or a loved one has been accused of a crime involving a controlled substance, the only option for protecting your family's future and your own opportunities is to fight against your charges. Contact Hines & Holub so that we can sit down and discuss the specifics of the charges against you and the options that are available.

Call us at 512-473-8745 to schedule a free and confidential legal consultation with a Williamson County drug charge lawyer as soon as possible. You can also enter your information into the form below to set up a time for us to contact you later.