If you were recently charged with drug possession in Texas, you will likely need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Over the years, Texas’s drug possession charges have grown increasingly severe.
Nowadays, even having drug-related materials is a crime and you can be found guilty of possession if contraband is in the common area of your apartment.
You need to arm yourself with a basic understanding of the law and a skilled attorney who can help defend your liberty.
What Really Counts as Drug Possession?
Although we commonly think of possession in terms of what is in our hands or pockets, the law thinks of possession in terms of custody.
“Possession” means what is in your physical custody or control.
In other words, if you have drugs in your house or a storage facility Leader, they are still considered to be in your possession.
Remember, arrests are usually based on circumstantial evidence linking you to the drugs, and juries have been known to convict even when drugs are lying around the house.
Most importantly, if you are on the run from police who suspect you of possessing marijuana or drug-related paraphernalia, do not think stashing your supply or goods will get you off the hook.
Drug Charges and Penalties
Many think that a first-time offense is treated differently than a repeat offense. However, inNew Jersey, this is not the case for possession charges.
Even if it is your first offense, you will face the same penalties as a repeat offender for possession-related drug offenses.
If you were charged with simple possession of marijuana, you can face up to 18 months in prison, a fine of $500-$15,000 (depending on how much you are found with), the potential loss of your driving privileges, and mandatory drug rehabilitation.
If you were charged with possession of narcotics or controlled substances, you could go to jail for 3-5 years, face a fine of $1,000-25,000 (depending on how much you are found with), the potential loss of your driving privileges, and mandatory drug education and rehabilitation.
Texas considers cocaine, heroine, methamphetamine, acid, ecstasy, GBH, and all other illegal narcotics, stimulants, hallucinogens, opiates, or depressants to be controlled dangerous substances.
Sometimes you can face criminal charges for possession when you do not even have drugs on you or anywhere in your custody.
In such a case, you could be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Drug paraphernalia amounts to anything that can be utilized for the purposes of using, distributing, or manufacturing drugs.
Essentially, bongs, pipes, rolling papers, syringes, cutting tools, spoons, plastic baggies, and any other object traditionally utilized for drug use will be considered drug paraphernalia.
If you are caught possessing drug-related paraphernalia, you can go to jail for up to 6 months, be compelled to pay a $500-$1,000 fine (depending on the surrounding circumstances), and may even have your driver’s license suspended for up to 2 years.
Ultimately, make sure to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you defeat drug possession charges and restore your life to the way it used to be.
