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Houston Drug Possession Attorney

Being arrested with a drug possession charge can be intimidating and frightening. Your world may turn upside down in an instant, with no friendly faces or allies to hear your story. Always ask to speak with your drug possession attorney in Houston the moment you face drug possession charges.

Houston Drug Possession Lawyer

Information About Drug Possession Charges in Houston

What Is a Drug Possession Charge?

The laws that govern drug possession in the United States are complex. Every kind of drug and paraphernalia amount has a unique set of standards that dictate how a person who is convicted will be sentenced. In Texas, possession is considered the concealment of an illegal drug on your person or property found during an investigation.

What is a Penalty Group?

Merely finding a number of drugs nearby a person is not enough for a conviction. Prosecutors also have to prove knowledge of the drug. Every state defines possession and the penalties for possession a little bit differently. Texas uses a “penalty group” arrangement that classifies drugs in four different ways depending on the addictiveness and dangerousness of the substance.

How Serious is a Drug Possession Charge in Houston?

Being charged with paraphernalia possession, even marijuana, is considered a serious offense in Harris County. To fight a charge and protect your rights, you will need the guidance and representation of Houston drug possession defense attorney who is familiar with Harris County and Texas drug possession laws and the court systems in your jurisdictions. From state to federal and drug courts, the range of penalties arising from convictions may be different in every case.

Possession Penalties According to Classification

In Texas, the penalties for drug possession are as follows:

  • Penalty group 1: Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, morphine, ketamine,  Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB)
  • Group 1a: LSD
  • Group 2: PCP, MDMA, Marijuana
  • Group 3: Valium, Xanax, Ritalin, Anabolic Steroids
  • Group 4:Codeine, Morphine

What Are The Penalty Groups For Drug Possession in Texas?

Texas law uses these categories to determine penalty groups. Law enforcement likewise uses the quantity of the drug, the method of storage, the possession of additional drug paraphernalia, and past convictions to determine the level of criminal activity in drug possession.

  • Penalty Group 1 ranges anywhere from a $10,000 fine and two years in jail to a maximum of fines up to $250,000 and lifetime imprisonment.
  • Penalty Group 2 ranges from two years in jail to lifetime imprisonment, with fines ranging up to $50,000.
  • Penalty Group 3 ranges from one to twenty years in jail, with fines ranging from $4,000 to $10,000.
  • Penalty Group 4 has penalty ranges like Penalty Group 1 and applies to any other drugs not included in Groups 1-3.

What Does POSS CS PG 1/1-B <1G Mean in Texas?

In Texas, POSS CS PG 1/1-B <1G refers to the charge of possessing less than one gram of a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1 or 1-B under the Texas Controlled Substances Act. These groups include highly addictive drugs like:

  • Cocaine
  • Heroin
  • Methamphetamine
  • Potent synthetic opioids

Here’s a breakdown of the offense and its penalties:

  • <1G (less than one gram)
    • State jail felony
    • Punishable by 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility
    • Fine of up to $10,000
  • 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams
    • Third-degree felony
    • Punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison
    • Fine of up to $10,000
  • 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams
    • Second-degree felony
    • Punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison
    • Fine of up to $10,000
  • 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams
    • First-degree felony
    • Punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison
    • Fine of up to $10,000
  • 400 grams or more
    • Enhanced first-degree felony
    • Punishable by 10 to 99 years or life in prison
    • Fine of up to $100,000

Penalties can increase for prior convictions or aggravating factors, making legal representation crucial for anyone facing these charges. Schedule a free drug possession case consultation with a Houston drug possession attorney from the Law Office of David A. Breston today.

How Is The Texas Controlled Substance Act Applied?

In addition to these four groups, the Texas Controlled Substance Act has specific mandates for marijuana. Depending on the amount and other factors, possession of marijuana can result in anywhere from three months in jail to lifetime imprisonment, with fines reaching up to $50,000.

Because of the great number of influences on penalties found within the Texas Controlled Substance Act, anyone facing charges for drug possession should not go without the help of a skilled and aggressive drug possession attorney in Houston.

Don’t face the future with uncertainty. Bring twenty years of criminal defense experience to your side. Contact David A. Breston, Attorney at Law in Houston for a free consultation about your drug possession case.

Contact a Houston Drug Possession Lawyer Today

If you are charged with the possession of any of these drugs or others, you could be facing serious jail time and a mark on your permanent record. Everything from how a drug was concealed to the amount found and a past history of convictions will become part of the case against you. In addition to prison time and fines, convicted persons may also face driver’s license suspension, probationary terms including community service, and paraphernalia treatment and rehabilitation programs.

The only way to ensure that your rights are protected and that your case is heard in a fair and just manner is to secure the services of an experienced attorney. The Harris County drug possession attorneys who work at the Law Office of David A. Breston have completed numerous successful controlled substance possession cases.

Regardless of whether your charge faces judgment according to state or federal laws, our aggressive attorneys will be able to help you through your case at any level. We provide personalized legal services that hinge on a strong relationship with our clients. By fully understanding your case, we can offer you advice, counsel, and help you make the most informed decisions at every step of the way.

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