The State of Texas has some of the strictest drug possession laws and corresponding penalties in the country. Texas lawmakers feel these tough measures will curtail the manufacture and distribution of illegal drugs throughout the state. Thus, if you have been charged with possession of a controlled substance, you must contact the law office of Reynaldo P. Morin for immediate representation.
Texas Controlled Substance Act
State leaders passed the Controlled Substance Act that governs all drug offenses in Texas. Under this law, they have separated all known controlled substances into five penalty groups.
Here are the penalty groups as follows:
- Penalty Group 1: cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, ketamine, and methamphetamine
- Penalty Group 1A: possession of LSD
- Penalty Group 2: ecstasy, PCP, Marinol, and Mescaline
- Penalty Group 3: Valium, Ritalin, Xanax, and hydrocodone
- Penalty Group 4: dionine, Motofen, pyrovalerone, and buprenorphine
There are steep sentences associated with each penalty group. Often, the ruling coincides with whether you were charged with manufacturing or distribution versus possession as this distinction will lower the classification of the crime. A judge will use the penalty group format as a guide for their final ruling. Still, a person has options available under such dire straits, especially if they hired a polished criminal defense lawyer in San Antonio Texas.
Under Texas law, an experienced San Antonio criminal defense lawyer will know that possession of marijuana is handled separately. The severity of the punishment is determined by several factors. Some of the more pertinent circumstances include if the defendant is a minor and the amount of marijuana held at the time of the arrest. Possession charges can become complex if they’re ruled a felony. You will need an experienced criminal defense attorney in San Antonio Texas to act on your behalf.
If you are caught manufacturing, distributing or possessing a controlled substance, then you can expect to serve time in jail for your actions. Often, a conviction on drug charges results in a combination of multiple years incarcerated with a high fine. If you have been formally charged with a drug offense, then you need to hire the leading San Antonio criminal defense attorney who can represent your best interest in court.