Texas Drug Crimes

Under Texas law, controlled substances or illegal drugs are divided in Penalty Groups from 1 to 4. A controlled substance can be a material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing the substance. Penalty Group 1 contains substances which are opiates and opiate derivatives, such as heroin, morphine, and codeine as well as hydrocodone, oxycodone, opium extracts, powdered opium, and raw opium. Penalty 1 Group also includes cocaine, methadone, ketamine, and more. Penalty Group 1-A includes LSD.

Penalty Group 2 includes other hallucinogenic substances, such as mescaline, psilocybin, and synthetic forms of marijuana. Synthetic marijuana or cannabis is known as "spice" and is made of natural herbs with are sprayed with synthetic chemicals. Penalty Group 3 includes such drugs as diazepam which is found in Valium and pentobarbital, a barbiturate. It also includes anabolic steroids. Penalty Group 4 includes narcotic drugs that include non-narcotic active medical ingredients.

Offenses in Penalty Group 1 are punished according to the amount of the drug involved in the case. Charges range from a state jail felony to a felony of the second or first degree. The most serious offenses under this section may be punished by 15 to 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer in Houston, Texas

Texas has very harsh laws when it comes to drug crimes such as possession with the intent to sell or distribute, importation, manufacture, and trafficking. Because Texas is a border state and has many ports of entry for illegal drugs to be smuggled into the U.S., Texas law enforcement agencies are constantly alert to illegal drug activity and prosecutors come down hard on those convicted.

If you have been accused of any type of drug crime in or around the Houston area, you can turn to Mark Morasch, Attorney at Law. Mr. Morasch concentrates his criminal defense practice on those accused of drug crimes as well as DWI. He is a hard-hitting and competent attorney who is prepared to fight for your rights and to devise effective defense strategies on your behalf. Due to his outstanding legal work, he has been recognized as a Top Lawyer for five years running by H Texas Magazine. With more than six years of experience as a former prosecutor and 17 years of experience as criminal defense lawyer, he is more than qualified to help you in any criminal case. Contact his firm to make an appointment with him after an arrest or if you are being questioned by authorities in any criminal investigation.