Are you facing drug-related charges in Fort Worth TX? Our Fort Worth drug crimes lawyers understand how stressful the charges can be. As difficult as this may be, do not need to panic.
There are many steps in between being arrested for a crime, and being found guilty of a crime, and once you’ve been charged the first thing you should do is contact our aggressive Fort Worth Drug Crimes attorney and start planning on your defense strategy.
It’s no secret that drugs are common in Fort Worth. In one 2018 drug crime, Fort Worth police charged 12 people with the possession and selling of drugs. There are many more individuals on the streets selling and using drugs.
Why You Need a Cole Paschall Law Fort Worth Drug Crimes Lawyer
Fort Worth residents who are arrested for controlled substance possession or similar charges face some of the harshest drug penalties in the nation. It is vital to speak with a Fort Worth drug crimes lawyer right away if you were charged with a drug-related crime.
Here at Cole Paschall Law, our Fort Worth drug charges lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of both state and federal drug laws, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the legal system effectively.
This is through assessing the details of the case, scrutinizing the evidence, and identifying any violations of constitutional rights or procedural errors. With our expertise, we can build a strong defense strategy tailored to the specific circumstances, aiming to mitigate penalties, negotiate plea agreements, or, if possible, have the drug crime charges dismissed.
Categories of Drug-Related Offenses
The Texas Controlled Substances Act, enacted in 1989, provides a comprehensive framework for defining controlled substances and various associated offenses. The severity of charges against an individual depends on the nature of the activity and the classification of the drug involved. Potential charges include:
For a possession charge, the prosecution must conclusively demonstrate that the accused consciously and deliberately had control over or possessed an illegal drug. Our legal team specializing in possession cases can offer robust defense strategies to counter these allegations.
This charge fundamentally alleges that the accused intentionally distributed a controlled substance to another individual. Trafficking cases can range from simple hand-offs to complex accusations involving large-scale drug distribution networks.
Importation
Charges of importation can vary widely. Some individuals may be accused of unlawfully bringing in small quantities of medication for personal use, while others face allegations of smuggling substantial amounts of narcotics across international borders.
To convict someone of selling drugs, the State of Texas must prove that the individual knowingly and purposefully sold controlled substances. Given the perceived societal risk, the legal consequences for drug sales can be particularly harsh, depending on the substance involved.
Manufacturing encompasses the creation, cultivation, formulation, alteration, or processing of a substance. This category also includes the relabeling and repackaging of substances. Exceptions are made for those involved in law enforcement, research, and educational activities.
Transportation
In its bid to curb drug proliferation, Texas imposes strict penalties for the transportation of controlled substances. There are various defense strategies for these charges, such as highlighting violations of Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights. Our experienced Fort Worth drug attorneys can guide you through your legal options.
Examples of Drug Crimes That You Might Be Charged With
The following are some of the drug crimes that you might be charged with in Fort Worth.
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Drug possession is one of the most common drug crimes. This occurs when someone owns, controls, manages, or has custody of an illegal substance or drug. At times, more than one person can be in possession of the drugs.
Typically, possession charges involve illegal drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. But you can face charges for having prescription medications. This occurs when you don’t have the right prescription for the medication.
For you to be found guilty of possession, you must be aware of possession. It’s up to the prosecution to prove that you knew you had the drugs and that you meant to have them in your possession. They do not need to prove that you used or intended to use the drugs.
In some cases, the police find drugs in vehicles. This could happen in a traffic accident or during a traffic citation. If the police find drugs in your car, you could face possession charges. Drugs in a large quantity could result in intent to deliver charges.
The challenge of prosecuting for drugs in vehicles is proving that the driver knew the drugs were present. To successfully convict the driver, the prosecutor needs to show that the driver knew they were there or that the drugs were visible. If a vehicle has multiple passengers, it could be difficult for the prosecutor to prove which passenger was in possession of the controlled substance.
Marijuana Possession
Although some people are allowed to use medical THC in Texas, it is still a controlled substance. The state only allows people who meet strict medical requirements.
If you don’t have a medical THC card, you cannot possess or use the substance. There is a move to decriminalize marijuana use. However, for the time being, it’s a serious crime. It’s important to stay aware of the changing marijuana laws and to comply with them. If you don’t, you will need a criminal attorney in Fort Worth
Drug Distribution, Manufacturing, and Trafficking
Possession isn’t the only drug crime. If you are caught with drugs in your possession, there’s a chance you’ll also face charges for the intent to deliver. This crime is sometimes referred to as drug dealing, drug trafficking, or the intent to distribute drugs.
Typically, you will face charges for this crime if you have more than a certain amount of drugs in your possession. The more drugs you have, the more likely it seems that you are interested in selling them.
Drug trafficking charges can be very serious. Depending on your circumstances, the Drug Enforcement Administration or the Federal Bureau of Investigation could get involved. Your case might take place in a federal courtroom, rather than a state court. Unfortunately, this could mean a mandatory minimum sentence and harsher consequences.
The Consequences of Drug Crimes
Any drug crime-related conviction can have a permanent impact on your life. For one, you can go to prison. Your life will get put on hold until you get out. Once you do your time, your life may never be the same. You could have a lengthy parole or restrictions on your travel. When you apply for jobs, employers could deny you because of your criminal record.
Even finding housing could become a problem. If a prospective tenant runs a background check on you, they could find out about your criminal history.
Jail Time and Drug Crimes
Other crimes, like assault, often result in misdemeanor offenses. But drug crimes are much more likely to be felonies. If you have a prior offense for the delivery of a controlled substance, your latest drug crime will be a felony. As such, you need to serve time in a state jail. Individuals with two prior charges have even harsher consequences. Their third offense is an automatic third-degree felony.
Defending Drug Crime Charges
Not all individuals charged with drug crimes face the charges. If you work with a drug crimes attorney, you can fight the charges. Your case could be dismissed, or your charges reduced.
There are several ways in which your attorney can fight the charges. As mentioned above, your lawyer may be able to argue that it’s impossible to know who was in possession of the drugs. If you were in a vehicle when you were found to be in possession of drugs, the prosecutor might be unable to pin the crime on you.
In other cases, the police never had a reason for conducting a search or traffic stop. For instance, there was one Texas incident in which the police pulled over a driver for crossing onto the shoulder. After pulling over the vehicle, the police found meth in the tire of the van.
However, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stated that the meth was not admissible evidence. The traffic stop was illegal, which made the arrest also illegal. In Texas, drivers are allowed to cross over the white lines and go onto the shoulder.
There are diversion programs in Tarrant County that could be used to get your case dismissed and help your arrest record be expunged. Attorney Cole is the defense spar spokesman to the district attorney on drug diversion programs.
Fort Worth Drug Crimes Defense Strategies
We will conduct a thorough investigation, find any weaknesses in the case against you, and pursue the best possible outcome. Our attorneys realize that there may be addiction issues at the heart of drug crime cases. There are options available for treatment, rather than incarceration, and we help people pursue these options when available. Ultimately, our goal is to help people overcome their problems so they can move forward with their lives.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with an Aggressive Fort Worth Drug Crimes Attorney
One of the top ways to fight your charges in Fort Worth is to work with an aggressive and experienced Fort Worth drug crimes attorney. Here at Cole Paschall Law, we know what you have to lose. We work hard to fight for your freedom and make it possible to expunge your arrest record. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
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