Most Common Drug-Related Criminal Charges in Texas

Texas takes drug crimes very seriously. If charged, you may encounter penalties like hefty fines, probation, and jail time. Facing a drug charge can feel overwhelming, and sorting through Texas laws for the specifics of your charge is time-consuming and confusing.

At Chris Lewis & Associates P.C., we know how scary it feels to combat drug charges. Our skilled Dallas criminal defense attorneys empower you to move forward with knowledge and confidence.

Controlled Drug Classes in Texas

Texas follows drug rating guidelines outlined by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as schedules. These classify drugs in the following categories:

Schedule Ⅰ – Drugs with high abuse risks and no safe accepted medical usage within the United States, like heroin.
Schedule Ⅱ – Drugs with accepted medical uses within the United States that also have high abuse risks, like oxycodone.
Schedules Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ – Drugs with accepted medical uses within the United States that have lower risks of abuse, including sedatives, stimulants, and anti-anxiety drugs like Xanax.

Drug charges are determined by the schedule and amount. Penalties also differ whether you’re charged with possession, or manufacturing and sale.

Common Drug Charges in Texas

The Texas Department of Public Safety recently reported drug charge statistics for 2020, revealing drug crimes accounted for nearly 17 percent of all arrests. The Texas Health and Safety code defines penalties for each charge, but we’ve simplified the data to save you time and stress searching for the numbers you need.

The most common drug charges for possession in 2020 were:

Dangerous Non-Narcotics – Drugs like Valium fall into Schedules Ⅲ-Ⅴ and accounted for the larger portion of arrests. This is a third-degree felony, which carries a prison sentence of between two and ten years.
Marijuana – While laws around marijuana are changing, it’s still illegal to possess, sell, or grow marijuana in Texas. The penalties for charges involving marijuana will depend on the details of your case.
Opium and Cocaine – As Schedule Ⅱ drugs, these sentences can be even more severe. Talk to your lawyer about avoiding penalties that may include imprisonment, fines up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a criminal record that will haunt you.

The most common charges for manufacturing and sale in 2020 were:

Synthetic Narcotics – Drugs like fentanyl reflected more than half of the total charges. As Schedule Ⅱ drugs, the penalties for manufacturing and sale can be severe, including felony charges and steep fines.
Other – In Texas, this category contains Schedules Ⅱ to Ⅳ drugs like methamphetamine and barbiturates. Depending on the amount you manufactured, this is a felony charge that can carry a lengthy prison sentence.
Opium or Cocaine – These Schedule Ⅱ drugs can be dangerous, which is why the penalties may be especially high. If you’re worried about your future because you’ve been accused of selling opium, cocaine, or similar drugs, reach out to an attorney for help.

You’re Not Alone

Battling drug charges is difficult, which is why it’s important to connect with a knowledgeable lawyer early in the process to fight for your future.

At Chris Lewis & Associates P.C., we’ve successfully advocated for individuals facing drug charges, and we’re ready to help you. Reach out to us at 214-665-6930 or fill out the following online contact form to discuss the details of your case and plan your path forward.

Chris is intelligent, incredibly hard-working, zealous, and, sometimes, downright scary. He commands the respect of all of his peers (defense attorneys and prosecutors alike) and of the judges. Whenever my husband saw Chris at court, my husband would light up and feel encouraged because he “felt safe.” He knew Chris would protect him and had his best interest in mind. If you want to be impressed and to witness the definition of a top advocate, you must watch Chris perform in the courtroom.

A.D.