Were you arrested for drug trafficking in Fort Worth, Texas? Drug trafficking is a serious offense, and although the penalties range depending on the severity of the offense, there are serious punishments that can come along with these crimes.
During your initial consultation, you will have the opportunity to speak with a Fort Worth criminal defense attorney about the details of your arrest, the types of charges you are facing, your criminal record, and options moving forward, as well as get a better understanding of how our team works with our clients.
Contact us immediately to schedule your initial consultation, and read more about the various drug trafficking charges and their associated penalties in Texas. The sooner you schedule your consultation, the sooner you and your criminal defense attorney can begin to work on your case and start moving towards a positive outcome for your trial.
How Cole Paschall Law Can Assist if You’re Arrested for Drug Trafficking in Fort Worth
Facing a drug trafficking charge in Fort Worth is a very serious matter. Law enforcement and the prosecuting attorneys dedicate extensive resources to ensure a conviction. It’s crucial to have an aggressive Fort Worth criminal defense attorney to represent you.
Choosing Cole Paschall Law means you’ll have a legal team committed to:
- Conducting thorough investigations to uncover any evidence that may vindicate you.
- Ensuring your legal rights are fully protected throughout the process.
- Engaging expert witnesses to reinforce your defense strategy.
- Clarifying all your legal choices, including potential plea deals, enabling you to make informed decisions.
Navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system is an exhausting situation to be in. The support of our experienced Fort Worth criminal defense lawyers can significantly impact your case. For more information on how we can defend your rights, contact us to arrange a complimentary consultation.
What is Drug Trafficking?
Texas has a Controlled Substance Act that bans the manufacturing, distribution, sale, and trafficking of controlled substances. Under this act, there are a variety of penalties associated with these charges, depending on the type of drug, the amount of the drug, and the nature that it was being trafficked. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “trafficking” is defined as “a global illicit trade involving the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws.”
In Texas, trafficking charges often stem from illegally importing drugs across the Mexican border and into the United States. Charges of bringing drugs across federal borders are charged as federal crimes, meaning that you will be charged in Federal court and will face major charges. If you are arrested transporting drugs across a state border, you will also be charged with a federal crime, since you will be leaving the jurisdiction of one state and entering another.
Penalties for Drug Trafficking
There are many different possible penalties with drug trafficking charges, and they depend on the schedule of the controlled substance, your criminal history, the amount of the substances, and more.
Schedule 1 Drug Trafficking Penalties
If you are arrested for trafficking Schedule 1 drugs, your punishment can range from anywhere between a minimum of 10 years and $4,000,000 of up to life in prison and $8,000,000 in fines. As you can see, drug trafficking carries much more severe penalties than delivery or simple possession.
Schedule 2 Drug Trafficking Penalties
Much like Schedule 1 drug trafficking penalties, there is a wide range of punishments that you can receive for Schedule 2 trafficking. They can range from anywhere between a maximum of 20 years in prison to a life sentence, and fines may go up to $1,000,000.
Other Schedules and Trafficking Penalties
The DEA has a series of additional schedules for drugs that you may also be charged with trafficking. Depending on the drug schedule, your penalties can range from 1 year in prison and $100,000 in fines, up to life in prison and millions of dollars in fines.
Consequences of Drug Trafficking Charges
Being accused of distributing or delivering illegal drugs in Fort Worth carries severe repercussions. As per the Texas Penal Code, these penalties are categorized based on the drug type and the quantity involved.
Opiates & Hallucinogenic Substances:
- Under 1 gram: Jail time ranging from 180 days to 2 years and fines up to $10,000.
- 1 to 200 grams: Imprisonment for 5 years to life and fines up to $10,000.
- 200 to 400 grams: 10 years to life in prison and a fine of $100,000.
- Over 400 grams: 15 years to life in prison and a fine of $250,000.
LSD:
- Under 20 units: 180 days to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000.
- 20 to 80 units: 2 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
- 80 to 4,000 units: 5 years to life in prison and a $10,000 fine.
- Over 4,000 units: 15 years to life in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Synthetic Chemical Compounds Mimicking Cannabinoids:
- Under 2 ounces: Up to 180 days in jail or fines up to $2,000.
- 2 to 4 ounces: 1 year in jail or fines up to $4,000.
- 4 ounces to 5 pounds: 180 days to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000.
- 5 to 50 pounds: 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
- 50 to 2,000 pounds: 2 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
- Over 2,000 pounds: 5 years to life in prison and fines up to $50,000.
Stimulants, Depressants, Narcotics, Steroids, & Peyote:
- Under 28 grams: 180 days to 2 years in jail and fines up to $10,000.
- 28 to 200 grams: 2 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
- 200 to 400 grams: 5 years to life in prison and fines up to $10,000.
- Over 400 grams: 10 years to life in prison and a $100,000 fine.
These penalties, as outlined in the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 481, known as the Texas Controlled Substances Act., reflect the state’s stringent stance on drug trafficking. If you’re facing such charges, it’s crucial to seek legal guidance from Cole Paschall Law in Fort Worth to navigate these complex legal waters.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Experienced Fort Worth Drug Trafficking Lawyer
As you can see from the overview above, there is a wide range of charges and punishments that you can face that fall under the crime of drug trafficking. This is why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible during an initial consultation and discuss the charges you are facing so that they can get a better understanding of what you are up against, and how they will manage your defense. The team at Cole Paschall Law is experienced with defending drug trafficking charges and will be happy to take your case. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin working towards a positive outcome in your trial.
