Pflugerville Drug Charge Lawyer

Have you been charged with a drug crime? Don't let an arrest turn into a conviction. Protect your future by working with a Pflugerville drug charge lawyer.

While getting arrested for a drug-related offense can be publicly embarrassing, a conviction can forever change your life and future. Beyond the fines and the prison sentence, irreparable damage can be done to your reputation, career, and housing prospects.

Even if it's your first offense, a serious drug charge can land you behind bars and leave you paying significant fines that can affect you and your loved ones for the long term.

It's always best to try and get your drug charge reduced or dismissed completely, and hiring a Pflugerville drug charge lawyer from Hines & Holub, PLLC will give you the best chance for achieving that outcome.

Texas Drug Crimes: the Basics

The federal government has established laws regarding drug crimes, but Texas, like most states, has its own statutes for drug offenses. Most drug crimes in Texas fall into the following categories:

• • Possession - Ownership of an illegal substance

• • Paraphernalia - Items associated with the creation, transportation, or use of illegal drugs

• • Manufacturing - Making or cultivating controlled or illegal substances

• • Delivery - Selling or distributing illegal substances

• • Conspiracy - Planning the possession or delivery of drugs with other people

The penalties for each of these charges will vary depending on what kind of drug was involved, the quantity, and even the location at the time of your arrest (e.g., if you were selling drugs near a public park, the potential penalties may be higher than selling in a private residence).

The type of drug also determines the potential penalties, and they are divided into classes. More serious drugs like cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth will carry higher penalties than a drug such as marijuana, which has its own set of laws in Texas.

Marijuana Crimes in Texas

The punishments for marijuana-related crimes are still severe, even though marijuana is gradually becoming legal for recreational use in more and more states.

In Texas, however, marijuana is still illegal. Possession of even a small amount of marijuana can cost you up to $2,000 in fines and up to 180 days in jail. Possession of marijuana concentrates, such as hash oil and K2, is a felony and can result in up to two years in state prison.

Possible Drug Charge Defenses

When you've been charged with a drug offense, your Pflugerville drug charge lawyer will investigate everything about your arrest, including the actions of the officer and any violations of your privacy during the search and seizure. For example, all of the following points will need to be considered:

• • Were there grounds for the officer to stop you?

• • Were you frisked for no reason?

• • Was your vehicle or home searched without probable cause or a warrant?

If any of these are true, the drugs seized should be considered unlawful and therefore inadmissible as evidence in court. There may also be other reasons why you were in possession of or were using the drugs in question, and these might also form the foundation of your defense.