| Felony Drug Charges in Texas: No Laughing Matter |
Texas state has strict laws and penalties regarding anyone who gets caught with specific controlled substances or those caught driving under the ‘influence. In most cases, the penalty is a lengthy prison sentence. Your attorney can convince the judge to reduce your sentence by suggesting rehabilitation, for clients who are charged with drug possession. Below are some of the crucial factors that you need to note regarding drug and substance abuse in Texas state.
Charges for possession of drug substances
Texas has very strict laws regarding the abuse of illicit drugs. Getting caught in possession of a controlled substance is considered a serious crime. The charges and penalties that you can get after arrest may vary depending on the type of drug and the amount that you were arrested with. The severeness of the penalty is also impacted by whether or not you were around minors while in possession of the drugs. Your attorney can explain the other circumstances that can make your offence more severe.
If you are arrested with a small number of certain drugs, you may be charged with a class A, B or C misdemeanour. It is punishable with a fine and a short jail term, or both. More significant amounts lead to felony charges which are punishable by fines and up to 20 years in jail, depending on the degree,
Drug offences penalties in Texas
Drug penalties in the state of Texas are separated into groups depending on the type of drug in question. They include the following;
- Penalty Group 1
This group includes opiates and other related drugs such as cocaine, opium and opium derivatives. Common drugs such as morphine, codeine, methadone, and heroin fall in this category as well. In this category, possession of 1 gram or less can qualify as a state jail felony.
- Penalty Group 1-A
Drug possession group 1-A includes LSD and its derivatives, and similar drugs. The number of units that the person is arrested possessing determines the penalties that he or she receives. If you are arrested with 20 units or less, you can receive a jail term of up to 180 days, a fine, or both. Possession of 20 to 80 units is considered as a 3rd-degree felony, while 80 to 4000 units leads to a 2nd-degree felony. If you are found in possession of 4000 to 8000 units, you face a 1st-degree felony while possession of over 8000 units could lead to life imprisonment.
- Penalty Group 2
In Texas, penalty group 2 includes hallucinogens such as methamphetamine, mescaline, THC and related substances. Like in the other categories, the penalties in this category may vary depending on the amount that the person is arrested with and other circumstances.
It is essential to note that marijuana is not legal in Texas, and it is penalized under group 2. Depending on the amount of marijuana r=that, you are arrested on possession of; you could h=face severe penalties, including life imprisonment.
- Penalty Group 3
This group includes stimulants, narcotics and depressants. Salvia, hormonal drugs, peyote and stimulants also fall under this category. The penalties in this group range from 1 to 99 years in jail and fines of up to $50,000.
- Penalty Group 4
The group 4 drug possession category contains medicinal properties and substances containing small amounts of narcot=ics such as ethylmorphine, codeine and opium. The penalties are based on possession amounts.
Additionally, a person may be charged with a crime if they are caught driving under the influence of a drug. The charges are applicable even if there is no evidence of the drug in the vehicle. Texas drug laws are incredibly harsh, and if you are arrested with any of the above charges, you should find a qualified lawyer to represent you in court.