Drug Possession Defense
Houston Drug Possession Lawyers :: The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp
The Health and Safety Code of Texas deals with the possession of controlled substances. The federal government has taken additional steps to define drug possession in the Federal Controlled Substances Act. As such, the possession of drugs and paraphernalia is thoroughly covered by statute. Drugs are categorized into penalty groups that are based upon how addictive and dangerous they are. These classes of drugs include:
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- Group 1 (the most hazardous) – Methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin
- Group 1A – Hallucinogens, particularly lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
- Group 2 – “Designer drugs” such as Ecstasy and phencyclidine (PCP)
- Group 3 – Commonly abused prescription drugs such as Xanax, Ritalin and Valium
- Group 4 – Compounds that contain trace amounts of codeine or opium
Complicated Laws and Penalties
When determining the punishment for drug possession, there are many factors that come into play. Aside from the class of drug, a number of criteria must be considered:
- What quantity of drugs was in the person’s possession?
- Did the person intend to distribute the drugs?
- Where were the drugs found?
- Does the person have any prior drug convictions?
- Did the police find any drug paraphernalia?
A Wide Range of Penalties
People who are convicted of drug possession face a vast array of sanctions. Some of them are mild, while others can be very severe. The punishments for drug crimes include:
- Probation
- Drug rehabilitation
- Mandatory community service
- Loss of driver’s license
- Loss of professional license
- Fines of up to $50,000
- 180 days to 99 years in confinement
Call a Houston Drug Possession Attorney Today
Defending against drug charges can often be very challenging due to the plethora of conditions involved in a drug possession case. If you have been accused of owning or abusing illicit drugs, any attempts to defend against the charges by yourself are futile. You need an aggressive and experienced criminal defense team whose members know the ins and outs of the justice system.
That kind of defense can be had with The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp. They will make sure that the court system operates as it should when prosecuting crimes. This means that all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty, and every defendant is granted their constitutional rights.
If you or someone you love has been accused of committing any drug crime, call The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp today at 713-868-6100 for a free consultation.
