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If you are unfortunately caught in a compromising situation with drugs in Houston, the first natural response from you will be panic. Even though more than 130,000 Texans get arrested for drug charges in Houston and other areas every year, many people are first-time offenders.
If you belong to the first-time offender category, you will probably be wondering “what to expect if you get caught with drugs in Houston.”
Firstly to protect your rights, you must reach out to an experienced Houston Drug Lawyer to help you fight the charges. Once you do this on time, a good percentage of the odds will now be in your favor.
Charges for Possession of Drugs in Houston, Texas
If officials catch you in possession of drugs in any part of Houston, you may face several penalties that depend on the nature of the crime. The penalties for drug crimes in Texas include:
- Probation
- Hefty Fines
- Temporary suspension of driver’s license
- Jail or Prison Time
- Attending mandatory addiction treatments
A sentence’s severity varies based on conditions like:
- The type of drug in your possession
- The amount of substance in your possession
- Whether you were planning to distribute the drugs
- Whether a minor was there on the premises
As the penalties and sentences can be quite complex to understand, you must reach out to an experienced Houston Drug Lawyer to help you with the case.
Penalties for Drug Crimes in Houston, Texas
According to drug laws in Texas, the penalties and offenses are categorized into four different penalty groups based on the drug classification.
Penalty Group 1
Group 1 includes substances that are deemed to be addictive and dangerous, like cocaine and heroin. The penalties include six months to 2 years state jail sentence with a fine of up to $10,000.
Penalty Group 2
Group 2 includes common drugs like amphetamines, PCP, and ecstasy. The penalties include six months to 2 years state jail sentence with a fine of up to $10,000.
Penalty Group 3
Group 3 includes stimulants and depressants like diazepam, benzodiazepines, and methylphenidate. The penalties may include one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4000.
Penalty Group 4
Group 4 includes a variety of chemical compounds and prescription medications that are classified under controlled substances. The penalties include six months in county jail with fines up to $2000.
Irrespective of the penalty group your crime is classified under, the penalty can increase or decrease drastically based on the amount of substance you are caught.
How Does Houston Law Enforcement Handle Drug Crimes?
For example, if you get charged with marijuana possession in Houston, specific charges will not be accepted or prosecuted. If the case involves 4 oz. or less of marijuana, then you will be facing only a ticket and a fine.
If you are caught with drugs and arrested for the same, you will face an arraignment hearing after the processing at the police station.
During the court proceeding, you will be advised of the rights and be able to enter a plea of not guilty or guilty. To face the proceedings confidently and make bail, you must have a professional Houston Drug Lawyer by your side.
You might not know what to foresee at the time of your arrest for drug possession in Houston, but an experienced local drug lawyer does. So, make sure to contact a reliable attorney and book a consultation as soon as possible.
You may also like: Why Drug Users Should Consult A Lawyer Now!
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