Search
Close this search box.

Lawyer for Drug Charges

Gold circle with handcuffs icon

Contact the Carlson Law Firm for Help

White Phone Icon Image
Call 866-802-9571
White Envelope Icon Image
Contact Us

Drug Possession lawyer in Central Texas

Defense Lawyers Serving:

If you or a loved one is facing drug possession charges in Central Texas, having a dedicated and experienced drug possession lawyer by your side is crucial. Drug charges can carry severe consequences, impacting your future, career, and freedom. Our legal team understands the complexities of Texas drug laws and is committed to providing personalized, strategic defense to protect your rights. We fight to ensure that every client receives the best possible outcome, whether it’s negotiating reduced charges, securing alternative sentencing, or taking your case to trial.

Types Drug Charges in Texas

Generally, drug charges break down into three major categories. How you're charged depends on your circumstances.

Possession

Simply having a controlled substance can lead to serious consequences, varying by the drug type and amount.

Possession with Intent to Distribute

Evidence like large quantities of drugs, packaging materials, scales, or significant amounts of cash, can indicate that the drugs were not for personal use.

Manufacture or Delivery

Making or delivering controlled substances can result in severe legal consequences, including lengthy prison sentences.

The penalties for a drug possession charge in Texas are severe

In Texas, the penalties for drug charges vary depending on the type and amount of the controlled substance involved, as well as the nature of the offense. Here are some of the common penalties:

Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS):

  • Misdemeanor Possession: For small amounts of certain controlled substances, penalties can include up to 1 year in jail and fines up to $4,000.
  • Felony Possession: For larger amounts or more dangerous substances, penalties can range from 180 days to 99 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Ā 

Possession with Intent to Distribute:

  • This charge typically carries more severe penalties, with prison sentences ranging from 2 years to life, depending on the quantity and type of drug. Fines can go up to $250,000 for larger quantities or more dangerous substances.

Ā 

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance:

  • Penalties for manufacturing or delivering controlled substances can be harsh, with prison terms ranging from 2 years to life and fines up to $250,000.

Ā 

Drug Paraphernalia:

  • Possession of drug paraphernalia is usually a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500. However, selling or distributing paraphernalia can result in more severe penalties, including jail time.

Ā 

State Jail Felony:

  • Certain drug offenses, particularly involving smaller amounts of certain substances like cocaine, methamphetamine, or heroin, can result in a state jail felony. Penalties include 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and fines up to $10,000.

Ā 

Enhanced Penalties:

  • Penalties can be enhanced based on factors such as prior convictions, possession near schools or playgrounds, or if a minor is involved. Enhanced penalties can result in longer prison sentences and higher fines.

Ā 

Federal Drug Charges:

  • If the offense involves crossing state lines or large quantities of drugs, federal charges may apply, which often carry more severe penalties than state charges, including longer prison sentences and larger fines.

Ā 

The specific penalty for a drug charge in Texas will depend on the unique circumstances of the case, including the type and quantity of the drug, prior criminal history, and other aggravating factors.

How can a Drug Charge lawyer help?

Dealing with drug charges in Texas can be a daunting experience, particularly when the legal system is geared toward achieving convictions. Having an experienced drug charge attorney by your side can significantly impact the outcome of your case. They possess in-depth knowledge of Texas drug laws and the strategies often employed by prosecutors, allowing them to effectively challenge the evidence against you, such as the legality of the search or the chain of custody of the substances in question.

A Defense Lawyer will protect your rights and best interests in the following ways:

When you contact our criminal defense team, we will immediately begin investigating your alleged crime. For example, we will review official police reports and other documents, examine physical evidence and interview witnesses. Our goal is to ensure you are protected from the system by searching for holes inconsistencies and other discrepancies that may give rise to reasonable doubt.

In many cases, we represent clients who have had their rights unjustly violated during an arrest or while officers were gathering evidence. Itā€™s important that you cooperate with the police so that additional charges arenā€™t added. If you believe officer misconduct occurred, explain this during a free consultation and let our attorneys look into this for you.

When you are arrested, there are laws and procedures that govern how criminal defendants are treated. It creates an incredibly complicated system that is impossible to navigate alone. Itā€™s important that you have an experienced, professional and trusted attorney on your side. Your attorney will assert your rights and fight for a fair resolution.

Several defenses can be mounted in a criminal case. Do you have an alibi? Are the charges based on the testimony of an unreliable witness? Did you act in self-defense? Your attorney will work with you to present the facts of your case in a coherent theory of defense.

The Carlson Law Firm trial attorneys are ready to represent you in a courtroom. Our experience has given us the skills to select a jury, scrutinize improper evidence and testimony, cross-examine the witnesses and present your defense to the jury.

Accepting a plea deal or going to trial can change the trajectory of your life. A knowledgeable DWI defense lawyer can offer wise counsel based on decades of experience to help you make strategic decisions in the criminal court process.

Our criminal defense attorneys are firm but compassionate. We know that a criminal charge will be difficult for everyone in your family. Our team will act as an intermediary between you and your family to ease their anxiety about your case.

What is criminal law?

Leading Criminal Defense

When facing drug crime charges, a strong defense is essential to protect your rights and future. Drug crime defense strategies can vary based on the specifics of your case, but the goal remains the same: to minimize or eliminate the charges against you. A skilled attorney will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your arrest, scrutinizing every detail to identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Image of Craig Carlson talking to a man at a table
Legal themed image at desk

Key Drug Crime Defense Tactics

  • Fourth Amendment Violations
  • Questioning the Evidence
  • Proving Lack of Knowledge or Possession
  • Highlighting Procedural Errors:Ā 

Record of Successful Favorable DWI Outcomes

A Carlson Law Firm drug crime attorney works for you. We will fight for the best possible resolution for your charges. Call us now for a free consultation.Ā 

Image of Police Car
Sobriety Checkpoint Ahead sign on the road

How long does a Drug Charge case last?

The length of time it takes to resolve your criminal case depends on several factors, including the following:

It can take time to mount a proper defense and coordinate the schedules of the parties involved in your case. Criminal cases can take months to resolve. 

FAQs: Drug Charges

In some cases, it is possible to avoid jail time, particularly if it’s your first offense or if the charges involve a small quantity of drugs. Options like probation, drug treatment programs, or community service may be available. Your attorney can negotiate on your behalf for these alternatives to incarceration.

If you’re arrested for drug possession, itā€™s crucial to remain calm and exercise your right to remain silent. Avoid making any statements to law enforcement without an attorney present. Contact an experienced drug crime lawyer as soon as possible to begin building your defense.

Yes, drug charges can be dismissed if your attorney can demonstrate that your rights were violated during the arrest or investigation, or if the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to prove the charges. An experienced lawyer can review the specifics of your case to determine the best course of action.

Yes, you can be charged with drug possession even if the drugs donā€™t belong to you. If drugs are found in a location you control, like your home or vehicle, you can still be charged. However, if you were unaware of the drugs, this could be a viable defense.

Yes, a drug conviction in Texas can result in the suspension of your driverā€™s license for up to 180 days. You may also be required to complete a Drug Offender Education Program before your license can be reinstated.

Yes, you can refuse a breathalyzer test in Texas, but it comes with consequences. Under Texas’ “implied consent” law, refusing a breathalyzer or blood test can result in an automatic driver’s license suspension for 180 days for a first offense, and longer for subsequent refusals. Additionally, your refusal can be used against you in court. However, a DWI lawyer can challenge the suspension and work to protect your driving privileges.

Yes, it is possible to have drug charges dismissed or reduced, especially if there are issues with how the evidence was obtained or if itā€™s your first offense. An experienced attorney can review your case and work to achieve the best possible outcome.

How do I know if my rights were violated during a drug Arrest?

Determining whether your rights were violated during a drug charge arrest can be complex, but there are several key factors to consider. Here are some signs that your rights may have been violated:

Unlawful Search and Seizure

The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. If law enforcement searches your person, vehicle, or home without a valid warrant, probable cause, or your consent, any evidence obtained might be inadmissible in court.

Lack of Miranda Warnings

If you were taken into custody and interrogated without being informed of your Miranda rights (the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney), any statements you made may be excluded from evidence.

No Probable Cause for Arrest

Police must have probable cause to believe that you committed a crime to lawfully arrest you. If you were arrested without sufficient evidence or reason, the arrest might be considered unlawful, which could lead to the dismissal of charges.

Coerced or Involuntary Confessions

If law enforcement used threats, physical force, or psychological pressure to obtain a confession or admission from you, this could be a violation of your Fifth Amendment rights. Such confessions may be excluded from evidence.

Improper Handling of Evidence

If the police failed to properly collect, store, or document the evidence against you, this could be a violation of your rights. Mishandled evidence can sometimes be challenged and potentially excluded from the case.

Denial of Legal Counsel

You have the right to speak with an attorney as soon as you are taken into custody. If law enforcement denied you access to legal counsel during questioning or interrogation, your rights may have been violated.

Entrapment

Entrapment occurs when law enforcement induces a person to commit a crime they otherwise would not have committed. If police officers coerced or tricked you into committing a drug-related offense, this could be a defense in your case.

If you suspect that your rights were violated during your drug charge arrest, itā€™s crucial to discuss the details of your case with an experienced criminal defense attorney. They can review the circumstances surrounding your arrest, identify any potential violations, and work to have evidence excluded or charges dismissed as a result.

Ā 

Contact a Central Texas Drug Charge Lawyer At The Carlson Law Firm Today

If you are facing criminal charges in Bell, Coryell, or Lampasas County and need a legal team, call a DWI Lawyer at The Carlson Law Firm. The best legal representation comes from lawyers who care about you and care about your situation. Our attorneys and legal assistants will treat you with the respect you deserve and give your case the attention you deserve.

Image of Kara Leal

Your Drug Possession Attorney: Kyra Leal

Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, you may be facing either a misdemeanor or felony charge. Criminal charges can significantly impact your life, potentially requiring you to seek help from a military, family law or injury lawyer. Hiring a Carlson Law Firm Criminal Defense Lawyer means that you get a team of attorneys experienced in securing your rightsā€”no matter what.

Attorney Kyra Leal is part of a team with all your bases covered.

Bell County Court Resources

Bell County Jail and Courts
Juvenile Detention Center
Probation and Community Supervision ā€“ Bell and Lampasas Counties

Coryell County Court Resources

Coreyll County County Jail and Courts
Juveniles
Coryell County Adult Probation and Supervision
Carlson Law Firm logo seal shape

There's a CARLSON LAW FIRM Near You

With over a dozen locations throughout Texas, thereā€™s a Carlson Law Firm near you. We have law offices located in Killeen, Temple, Waco, Round Rock, Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, Bryan, Lubbock, Midland, and Corpus Christi.

free consultation

Ready to get started?