These days, it may seem society is becoming more accepting of drugs, especially when it comes to marijuana. There are often stories in the news about different states decriminalizing or legalizing the use of marijuana.
However, each state has different laws and different approaches to all controlled substances. In Texas, the government made laws stating that certain acts related to the manufacturing or delivery of drugs are felonies, which are more strongly punished than misdemeanors. As such, the police are often on the lookout for drug manufacturers or deliverers.
If law enforcement approached you regarding a charge of making or distributing controlled substances, you may need to retain a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Time may be a factor in your situation, and the earlier you get a Fort Worth felony drug manufacture or delivery lawyer involved, the better chance they may have to build a strong defense against possible accusations and work with you to avoid potential negative consequences.
Laws on Drug Manufacture and Delivery Applicable to Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, Texas, it is a crime to manufacture or deliver controlled substances without proper registration. If the police arrest a person who knowingly creates or delivers a Penalty Group 1 drug, they may charge that person with a felony punishable by up to life in prison depending on the amount of the drug involved, as stated in Texas Health and Safety Code §481.112.
Furthermore, according to THSC §481.1122, the court may increase the penalties by one degree and also increase the fines involved if a child is present. The court may impose similar penalties for the manufacture or delivery of Penalty Group 1-A, 2, 2-A, 3 or 4 drugs, which a Fort Worth felony drug manufacture or delivery lawyer could go over and explain in further detail.
Types of Drugs in Penalty Groups
Texas state law separates illegal drugs into different categories depending on their effects, addictive qualities, and potential danger to users and the public. Some examples of the drugs that fall into these categories include:
- Penalty Group 1: Oxycodone, Heroin, Morphine, Cocaine, Methamphetamine
- Penalty Group 1-A: LSD
- Penalty Group 2: Mushrooms, THC other than marijuana, designer drugs similar to the previous
- Penalty Group 2-A: Spice and K2, which are synthetic cannabinoids
- Penalty Group 3: Prescription drugs that act as depressants, such as Xanax, Valium and Ritalin
- Penalty Group 4: Drugs that contain small doses of narcotics
Possible Penalties for Felony Drug Manufacture or Delivery
The highest possible punishment for making or selling drugs is life in prison. The court may apply this punishment when the police catch a person with an extremely large amount of illegal substances. Depending on the type of drug, the court may levy a jail sentence between 15 and 99 years in length and issue of a fine of no more than $250,000.
Conversely, when the police catch someone with less than one gram of a controlled substance, the court may find that person guilty of a state jail felony, which could result in up to two years of jail and a $10,000 fine. A Fort Worth felony drug manufacture or delivery lawyer could clarify the severity of the charges a person may face and what they could do to potentially contest the accusations against them.
How a Fort Worth Felony Drug Manufacture or Delivery Attorney Could Help
No matter what stage of criminal proceedings you might be in, it is almost always wise to have an attorney on your side if you are facing drug-related charges or you think the government may bring charges against you. A Fort Worth felony drug manufacture or delivery lawyer may be able to help you figure out your rights and what defenses may be available to you.
A felony charge can have drastic effects on your life. It is up to you to take the steps necessary to protect yourself. A representative who is familiar with the local rules and court procedures may be invaluable to your future prospects, so reach out today to schedule an initial consultation.
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