Fort Worth Felony Marijuana Possession Lawyer

While some states have decriminalized marijuana and others allow approved individuals to use marijuana for limited medical purposes, possession of marijuana is still a crime in Fort Worth. Depending on how much marijuana the police find in your possession, the police may charge you with either a misdemeanor or a felony. While misdemeanors tend to carry smaller penalties, felony charges may have a great effect on your life, not to mention carry large jail sentences and fines. If you were accused of committing a felony marijuana offense, consult a Fort Worth felony marijuana possession lawyer. A dedicated drug possession attorney could work to establish a credible defense and fight for your rights. Call and schedule an appointment to begin building a legally valid defense.

Laws Regarding Marijuana Possession

Texas Health and Safety Code §481.121 deals with issues related to marijuana possession. If the police arrest someone with four ounces or less of marijuana, they would most likely charge that person with a misdemeanor under this statute.

However, if the police catch someone with more than four ounces and less than five pounds of marijuana, the government may charge that person with a state jail felony. Upon conviction, this level of charge could result in up to two years in jail and a fine of no more than $10,000.

In the same vein, it is a third-degree felony to possess between five and fifty pounds of marijuana. This offense is punishable by between two and 10 years and a fine of no more than $10,000. When the police arrest a person with more than fifty and less than 2,000 pounds of marijuana, the court may punish that person with up to 20 years in jail and a fine of no more than $10,000.

Finally, if the police find someone with more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana, the government may punish that person with a first-degree felony, which can result in a minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of up to 99 years or life in prison. Needless to say, the difference in penalties between one level of felony and the next can be drastic.

It should be noted, however, that the concept of “possession” under Texas law depends on a determination that someone had marijuana under their personal control, which in turn can be challenged on a number of levels. A Fort Worth felony marijuana possession lawyer could work with a defendant to take stock of the evidence for and against them and structure their defense to account for it all.

Consequences of a Felony Marijuana Possession Conviction

Even being arrested but not convicted for a felony crime may stay on a person’s record, and convictions can be incredibly difficult—if not impossible—to get an expunction for. If a court convicts a person of felony marijuana possession, possible non-criminal consequences include:

• Negative effects on family law proceedings involving custody of children
• Loss of the right to purchase firearms
• Mandatory disclosure of felony conviction on job applications
• Inability to attend certain university programs
• Difficulty leasing a home
• Difficulty requesting the government pardon the conviction
• Negative effects on immigration proceedings

If someone is convicted of a felony, they may face both short and long-term effects on their personal freedom and future prospects. These potential losses underscore the important role a felony marijuana possession lawyer in Fort Worth could play in defending a suspected felon’s rights and helping them pursue a positive outcome to their case.

Consulting a Fort Worth Felony Marijuana Possession Attorney

Felony convictions can have lasting effects on your reputation and future. If the police have made you worried about charges, consider speaking with an attorney who understands the laws in Fort Worth and how the local court system operates.

A Forth Worth felony marijuana possession lawyer may be able to help you build an aggressive defense against your charges and aid you in understanding your rights under the law. Your future is worth protecting—call today to get started defending it.