Hire an Experienced Houston Drug Charge Defense Lawyer
Drug charges come in different forms. Possession, possession with intent to deliver, delivery and manufacturing are the different allegations that prosecutors may make when prosecuting drug offenses in Houston and other Texas state courts. These terms are very important and have a special meaning and impact in your case.
I'm R. Todd Bennett, a Houston criminal defense lawyer. If you face drug charges in Texas, I offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. I represent people charged in many different kinds of drug cases. These include:
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- LSD
- Methamphetamine
- Xanax
- Ecstasy
It is common for law enforcement officers to arrest all occupants of a vehicle or a residence in which drugs were found and accuse each of them of possessing the drugs. However, merely being in the presence of drugs or being in a vehicle where drugs were found is not enough to sustain a conviction in a drug possession case in Texas. In order to gain a conviction in the case, the prosecutor must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you had actual care, custody and control of the drugs.
Defenses in drug cases can also focus on the legality of the search and seizure. The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures. Generally speaking, the police cannot search your person, your vehicle or your residence without probable cause that a crime has been committed. They often are not allowed to search without first obtaining a search warrant. If the police illegally searched you or your property, the evidence they seized will not be admitted in court against you.
Consequences of a drug conviction in Texas
Your driver's license may be suspended.
You may be barred from applying for student loans.
If the amount of drugs is significant, you may face federal charges. Federal sentencing guidelines are harsh. Probation is not likely if you are convicted of a drug offense in Federal court.
You will have a lifelong criminal record that will make it more difficult for you to get a job.
Free Attorney Consultation
If you have been charged with possession of or trafficking in controlled substances such as marijuana, cocaine, meth or illegal prescription drugs, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer at your side. Contact me, Houston criminal defense lawyer R. Todd Bennett, for a free initial consultation about your case.
