Drug Defense Attorney in Dallas

Are you being charged with a drug crime in Dallas, Texas? A Dallas drug attorney from Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C. can help you work to avoid the negative consequences of a drug conviction.

Texas is tough on drug crimes, and the consequences you’ll face if convicted are enough to destroy your life. The legal penalties are stiff, including jail or prison time, large fines, probation, and community service.

There are other negative effects of a conviction, as well. You could struggle to secure gainful employment; your finances could be negatively impacted; you will have a black mark on your criminal record for life.

Signing a plea agreement is tempting, because you’re scared of what may happen if you don’t. However, discussing your drug crime case with a Dallas drug lawyer is always advisable before admitting guilt. Don’t give up your future without a fight.

Types of Drug Offenses in Dallas

Although there are many different types of drug offenses in Texas, they all result in penalties if convicted. Even marijuana crimes are taken very seriously, and you will face legal consequences after a conviction. The circumstances of your case will affect the penalties.

For instance, if you were selling drugs, you will be charged with a higher-level felony offense than if you were accused of possession for use. If you have prior drug offenses on your criminal record, your charge could be more serious.

No matter what type of drug crime you’ve been charged with, a Dallas drug crime lawyer can help. Your lawyer at our firm will examine every detail of your case to find the best defense possible. Don’t assume that the prosecutor’s case is strong. There might not be much evidence against you, or your attorney might be able to get key evidence thrown out.

The following is a list of some of the drug crimes in Dallas, Texas.

• Possession of controlled substances
• Manufacture or delivery of controlled substances
• Use of a child in the commission of a drug crime
• Delivery of drugs to a minor
• Possession or delivery of drugs in a drug-free zone
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Delivery of drug paraphernalia

Penalties for Drug Crimes in Texas

Legal penalties will range greatly depending on the circumstances of your case. Texas drug penalties are tied to a few key factors. For starters, as mentioned, if you have prior drug offenses, the seriousness of your charge will be increased. The quantity of the drug you were in possession of plays a large role in your charge, too.

Other factors that play a role in your drug case are:

• Whether children were involved in the commission of the offense
• If the drugs were sold or possessed in or near a school zone
• If the drugs were being sold to a minor
• The type of drug you were in possession of

The following is a list of penalties for a few basic drug crimes in Texas, which your Dallas drug offense attorney will work diligently to see that you avoid.

• Possession of Penalty 1 Substance — Less than one gram is a state jail felony, punished by between 180 days and two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Manufacture or Delivery of Penalty 1 Substance — Less than one gram is a state jail felony, punished by between 180 days and two years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Possession of Marijuana — Between four ounces and five pounds is a state jail felony; greater than 2,000 pounds could get you life in prison, or five to ninety-nine years, and a fine of up to $50,000.
• Delivery of Marijuana — Greater than 2,000 pounds will get you life in prison, or five to ninety-nine years, and a fine up to $100,000.

Nonlegal Consequences of a Drug Conviction in Dallas

The legal ramifications of a drug conviction are bad enough, but you’ll face other negative consequences that can ruin your life, as well.

• First, your criminal record will be forever marked by a conviction.
• Second, your financial future will be greatly impacted by the fines you’ll face and by the difficulty you’ll have in securing decent employment.
• Third, your family will suffer many of the negative consequences you’ll face. They will have to deal with financial effects, emotional suffering, and vicarious embarrassment.
• Fourth, your conviction could keep you from living in good neighborhoods that don’t welcome those with criminal convictions.
• Finally, you could be denied loans, housing, and other programs the government offers to those without a criminal record.

Finding the Right Defense for Your Dallas Drug Charge

It’s understandable that many people don’t know about all the defenses there are against drug convictions. They believe that they have no chance, and so they simply give in. They think the prosecutor’s plea offer is the best they can get, and they fear that if they fight the charge, they will end up with the worst possible outcome.

Don’t make the same mistake that so many other people make. There are always defenses against conviction, including many you probably haven’t even considered. For instance, many people don’t know that evidence can be thrown out if it was illegally obtained.

Your Dallas drug offense attorney will do everything possible to see that you aren’t convicted of the charge against you. Even if the very best outcome you can get is through a plea agreement, you can bet that your lawyer can get you a better deal than you can yourself.

Additionally, a lot of people don’t even make the call to an attorney, fearing that they can’t afford to hire one. Even if they believe they can afford to hire one, they sometimes think they will be wasting their money to do so. Your future is worth a phone call to an attorney to at least learn what your options are for your particular case.

Attorneys from our firm are often able to work out payment arrangements so you can receive the services of a criminal defense lawyer in Dallas. Below, here are some defenses that could be available in your case.

• The drugs did not belong to you.
• The police violated your rights.
• The drug crime lab made errors.
• There is not enough evidence to convict you.
• There was not enough quantity of the drug in your possession to be charged with a crime.
• You were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
• Someone used your name in the commission of an offense.

Reach Out to a Drug Possession Lawyer in Dallas, Texas

Your life is worth fighting for, and you should never give up without at least speaking to a lawyer about your case first. Your lawyer knows the laws in Dallas and will know what the best possible outcome is for your situation. If a plea deal is the best option you have, let a lawyer tell you that—don’t just make an assumption.

There are defenses against conviction of drug crimes, so before you sign the plea deal the prosecutor is offering, reach out to a Dallas drug lawyer. The consequences of drug conviction are simply too great to take lightly. To speak with an attorney with Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C., fill out the web submission form below. You can also call our firm directly at 214-665-6930.