Bryan Drug Trafficking Attorneys

Seek Experienced Representation from Our Committed Legal Team

Anti-drug trafficking efforts are significantly intensified in Texas, where its bordering neighbor country, Mexico, has been the main source for the importation and delivery of many illegal substances.

According to the Justice Department, around $18 billion to $39 billion is made each year from drug sales in the United States by the Mexican and Colombian cartels.

Cartels also operated in 1,286 U.S. cities from 2009 to 2010, five times the total reported in 2008.

Since the nation’s anti-drug trafficking agenda has been a top priority for federal law enforcement agencies, convictions and wrongful arrests are relatively common, and the associated punishments are severely harsh and unforgiving. Common penalties include a permanent criminal record, lengthy prison sentences, and steep fines.

Our Bryan and College Station criminal defense attorneys understand that law enforcement authorities often make arrests before having all the facts. Therefore, if you are dealing with the Texas criminal justice system, you should never try to handle the case independently. An experienced criminal defense attorney can evaluate the drug charges professionally and determine what legal strategies will achieve favorable results.

Shane Phelps Law has decades of legal experience to adequately protect your rights and reputation. If you or a family member are facing drug trafficking charges, contact our firm today for your free consultation.

Is Drug Trafficking a Felony in Texas?

In the state of Texas, drug trafficking is categorized as a felony offense. Anyone who has been convicted of partaking in or aiding in the sale, distribution, or manufacturing of illegal drugs could face substantial fines and lengthy jail sentences.

Often, the drugs involved in trafficking cases include large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription drugs. What many individuals may not realize is that if they are arrested with a sizable quantity of drugs, they can still be charged with trafficking, even if they intend to have it for personal use.

The severity of punishment depends on the amount and specific type of drugs involved in the crime. Other factors that may affect the sentence handed down by the court include whether the defendant has prior convictions, what type of drug is involved, and whether weapons were involved in the crime.

Potential penalties may range from probation to life in prison for individuals convicted of drug trafficking felonies.

Depending on the circumstances involved, some drug trafficking cases end up being tried in federal court. A conviction for federal drug trafficking charges carries steeper criminal penalties than those imposed in state courts.

Regardless of the factors that led to your arrest for drug trafficking, you must hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight to protect your legal rights. Contact our law office today to learn more about felony drug crimes and what we can do to assist you with your legal needs.

What Legal Factors Must Be Present to Charge Someone With Drug Trafficking in Texas?

Although individuals may be charged with drug offenses for various reasons, several factors can escalate a simple possession charge to drug trafficking. Critical factors that can result in drug trafficking charges may include:

Quantity of drugs: If you are arrested for having a large quantity of drugs, there is a high probability that you will be charged with drug trafficking. Texas drug laws assume that anyone having large quantities of controlled substances intended to sell them, even if that was not the defendant’s intent.
Drug paraphernalia: If you are caught with a large quantity of drugs and paraphernalia, you may face trafficking charges. Drug paraphernalia includes scales, cutting tools, or baggies that can be used to sell controlled substances.
Drug packaging materials: The presence of drug packaging materials such as small containers or bags can also result in trafficking charges.
Weapons: The presence of weapons, along with having a large quantity of a controlled substance, can result in drug trafficking charges, as law enforcement officials typically view the presence of weapons as a means of protecting drug sales.
Large quantities of cash: Having large quantities of cash along with a substantial amount of controlled substances can result in defendants facing trafficking charges, as many drug sales often involve cash transactions.
Incriminating communications: Communications such as text messages, emails, or wiretaps that discuss drug sales may all be used to charge defendants with drug trafficking.

What are the Legal Implications of Drug Crimes in Texas?

Anyone who has been charged with a drug crime must understand the potential legal implications that can follow their arrest.

Texas drug crimes encompass a wide range of illegal activities involving controlled substances, including drug trafficking, drug possession, and prescription drug fraud. The legal system treats these offenses seriously, often imposing severe penalties to deter such activities.

Types of Drug Crimes:

Drug Trafficking: This involves the distribution, sale, transportation, and illegal importation of controlled substances. Penalties can be extremely harsh, especially if large quantities of drugs are involved.
Drug Possession: This charge applies when an individual is found in possession of illegal drugs or controlled substances without a valid prescription. Penalties can vary from a class B misdemeanor to a first-degree felony, depending on the amount and type of drugs involved.
Prescription Drug Fraud: This charge includes forging or obtaining prescription medications through deceit. It is treated seriously due to the potential for abuse and addiction.
Marijuana Possession: Although some states have legalized marijuana, it remains illegal under federal law and Texas law. Possession of even small amounts can result in criminal charges.
Drug Paraphernalia: Possessing items related to drug use, such as pipes or syringes, can also lead to charges, even if no drugs are found.

One of the most challenging issues that many individuals with drug convictions face is trying to obtain adequate housing, student loans, or secure gainful employment, especially professional licenses.

If you have been arrested for drug trafficking or some other type of drug offense, you need a criminal defense lawyer to protect you from the legal implications that follow criminal convictions. Contact Shane Phelps Law to speak with a drug crime attorney who can fight to allow you to achieve your life goals.

What are the Consequences of Texas Drug Crime Convictions?

The legal consequences associated with Texas drug crime convictions can have permanent life-changing consequences for defendants. Due to the vast amount of drug crimes committed within Texas state borders, lawmakers have enacted laws that carry steep penalties for defendants.

As a result, drug crime convictions carry serious consequences that can impact various aspects of your life and may include:

Legal penalties: Depending on the severity of the offense, penalties can range from fines and probation to lengthy prison sentences. For example, a state jail felony can result in up to two years in a state jail facility.
Professional licenses: Convictions can jeopardize professional licenses, affecting careers in medicine, law, and education.
Inability to apply for student loans: A drug conviction can bar you from applying for student loans, impacting your ability to achieve life goals.
Criminal background checks: A criminal conviction may prevent you from obtaining gainful employment or finding housing when prospective employers or rental agencies run a background check.
Personal impact: Criminal charges and convictions can strain personal relationships and your reputation and standing in the community.
Sex offender registration: Certain drug offenses, particularly those involving aggravated sexual assault or sexual misconduct, can result in mandatory sex offender registration.

Other consequences associated with a Texas drug crime conviction may include your driver’s license being suspended, losing the right to vote, and loss of the right to own, possess, or use a firearm.

If you are facing criminal drug charges, you cannot risk trying to handle your case independently or with an attorney who lacks experience. Instead, it is always in your best interest to hire an attorney who will fight to try and have the charges dropped or reduced to help you avoid a conviction that will negatively impact your life.

Contact Shane Phelps Law today to learn how we can help protect your future.

What are the Different Penalty Groups for Texas Drug Crimes?

Several factors determine drug crimes and their various penalties, including the penalty group under which the illegal substance is classified. The classification of drugs depends on the medical use and potential chemical dependence associated with the substance.

Penalty groups are as follows:

Penalty Group 1: The drugs included in Penalty Group 1 are those that have a high risk of chemical dependence and are divided into 10 subcategories. Some of the drugs included in Penalty Group 1 include heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, or prescription drugs such as ketamine.
Penalty Group 1-A: The drugs in Penalty Group 1-A include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a well-known hallucinogenic drug along with its derivatives, including salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.
Penalty Group 2 or 2-A: Penalty Group 2 includes controlled substances that have been determined to have a high risk of addiction, such as mushrooms, MDMA (Ecstasy), amphetamines such as Adderall, Phencyclidine (PCP), and Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB).
Penalty Group 3: Penalty Group 3 includes prescription medications used in the medical field, including Alprazolam (Xanax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), and anabolic steroids such as Testosterone.
Penalty Group 4: Penalty Group 4 includes drugs that contain small doses of narcotics and are used in conjunction with other prescription drugs for medicinal purposes, such as morphine and codeine.

Criminal penalties for drug crimes correlate with the specific Penalty Group to which the substances belong and the quantities involved. For example, if the drug in question is methamphetamine, which is assigned to Penalty Group 1 and totals over 400 grams, the crime is charged as a first-degree felony. A criminal conviction could result in the defendant being sentenced to 15 to 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Texas criminal law has imposed severe penalties for those convicted of drug crimes, and prosecutors look to have the maximum sentence imposed on defendants. Therefore, regardless of the drug involved in your case, you need skilled legal representation to ensure that you can secure a favorable outcome.

When Can Texas Drug Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed?

If you have been arrested or charged with drug trafficking in Texas, you must take precautionary steps because your behavior subsequently affects the outcome of your case. Many individuals who have been arrested for drug crimes make the fatal mistake of speaking with law enforcement authorities without having legal representation during questioning. However, anyone being questioned by a police officer must remember that they have the right to remain silent and have an attorney with them during questioning.

Therefore, you should never agree to speak with the police before consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney. In most drug trafficking cases, a successful defense comes from exploring and scrutinizing the police’s actions.

Some of the most common reasons that drug charges may be reduced or dismissed may include the following:

The police did not have a legal cause to stop your vehicle
The police did not have legal cause to search you or your vehicle
The controlled substances were not in your possession
The controlled substances belonged to someone else
The controlled substance has been approved or exempt for investigational purposes under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
Entrapment due to the involvement of a confidential informant or undercover agent

However, although defense strategies used to fight drug trafficking charges may seem relatively straightforward, the Texas criminal justice system can be overly complex and confusing for those who lack legal training.

For this reason, it is always in your best interest to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can provide you with skilled legal representation. Our Bryan criminal defense attorneys, which include a former prosecutor, have comprehensive experience handling drug crime cases and know what it takes to get results.

Do not hesitate to contact our Bryan & College Station drug defense lawyers for a free case evaluation today.

Why is it Vital to Have Legal Representation When Facing Drug Crime Charges?

Bryan drug trafficking lawyers at Shane Phelps Law concentrate on defending clients against a wide range of drug offenses. Our seasoned criminal defense team understands the complexities of Texas drug laws and the nuances of the legal system.

Some benefits of hiring an experienced defense attorney are that they will act as your legal advocate to ensure you are treated fairly, build a strong defense, and protect your rights.

The importance of legal representation in Texas drug crime cases cannot be overstated. Some of the most significant advantages of hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer include:

Expert Knowledge: An experienced criminal defense lawyer has in-depth knowledge of criminal law and Texas drug laws and is vital for developing a solid defense strategy.
Protecting Your Rights: Defense attorneys protect your rights throughout the legal process. They scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence and challenge any unlawful actions taken by law enforcement.
Navigating the Legal System: The legal system can be daunting, especially for those unfamiliar with the various processes involved. A knowledgeable attorney guides you through each step, from arraignment to trial, ensuring you understand your rights and options.
Negotiating Plea Deals: In some cases, negotiating plea deals can result in reduced charges or lighter sentences. Skilled defense lawyers are adept at negotiating favorable terms with prosecutors.
Building a Strong Defense: A robust defense strategy is essential for challenging the prosecution’s case. This may involve presenting evidence of entrapment, mistaken identity, or lack of intent.

Shane Phelps Law has a proven track record of negotiating plea deals to help our clients receive reduced sentences, including deferred adjudication or diversion programs.

However, the case will likely go to trial if the prosecution is unwilling to negotiate to reduce or dismiss the charges. At this stage of the legal process, you cannot afford to have an attorney who lacks trial experience. Instead, it would be best if you had a defense attorney with considerable experience defending clients accused of drug crimes who can present compelling arguments and evidence that will successfully challenge the state’s case.

What are Common Defense Strategies Against Drug Trafficking?

If you have been arrested or charged with drug trafficking in Texas, you must take precautionary steps because your behavior subsequently affects the outcome of your case. It is imperative that you do not speak with the police before consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney. In most drug trafficking cases, a successful defense comes from exploring and scrutinizing law enforcement actions.

One of the most crucial aspects of fighting drug trafficking charges is building a solid defense that can withstand the prosecution’s legal scrutiny.

Some of the most common defenses for arrests associated with controlled substances include:

Illegal Search and Seizure: The police did not have a legal cause to stop or search you and your vehicle. Any evidence obtained through unlawful searches can be challenged and potentially excluded.
Lack of Possession: The controlled substances were not in your possession. Demonstrating that the drugs belonged to someone else can be a viable defense.
Entrapment: Entrapment due to the involvement of a confidential informant or undercover agent. If law enforcement induced the criminal act, this defense could be effective.
Mistaken identity: If law enforcement misidentifies the wrong suspect or relies on incorrect information provided by a confidential informant.

A criminal defense attorney has the resources to conduct an independent investigation to gather new evidence that may work in your favor, interview witnesses, and scrutinize the actions taken by law enforcement. For example, if it can be proven that the police lacked probable cause to stop your vehicle or performed an illegal search, your defense attorney can argue that this evidence should be thrown out.

Furthermore, the prosecution must be able to demonstrate that you had control over the illegal substance. If the evidence shows that the drugs involved were in an area that others had easy access to, a skilled defense attorney could argue that you were not the one in possession of the controlled substances.

It is important to remember that all drug cases are different, and any defense strategies used by your attorney should be tailored to fit your needs. Contact our Bryan College Station drug crime lawyers today to discuss the details of your case so that we may determine what strategies fit your needs.

Does Shane Phelps Law Offer Comprehensive Legal Representation for Drug Crimes?

Anti-drug trafficking efforts are significantly intensified in Texas, where its bordering neighbor country, Mexico, has been the primary source for the importation and delivery of many illegal substances. According to the Justice Department, around $18 billion to $39 billion is made each year from drug sales in the United States by the Mexican and Colombian cartels. Cartels also operated in 1,286 U.S. cities from 2009 to 2010, five times more than the total reported in 2008.

As a result, in the name of public safety, the United States and Texas law enforcement agencies have ramped up their efforts to catch and prosecute those accused of importing or delivering illegal drugs into and throughout the state. As a result of the increase, law enforcement officials have become more aggressive, and many more individuals find themselves facing drug crime charges than ever before.

Shane Phelps Law has decades of legal experience and will fight to protect your rights and reputation. Our dedicated legal team includes a former prosecutor who understands the Texas legal system and how current prosecutors determine criminal offense charges.

Our experienced criminal defense lawyers realize that good people often make poor choices that can result in permanent, life-changing consequences. When you come to us for help, we will thoroughly evaluate the prosecution’s evidence, including witness statements, surveillance videos, or the testimony of confidential informants.

If you are dealing with a drug trafficking charge, you cannot afford to hire a criminal defense lawyer who lacks the experience and skills it takes to defend your rights, freedom, and reputation. Time is of the essence for those dealing with drug crimes, and your attorney needs to get up to speed with the case as quickly as possible.

Why Should I Choose Shane Phelps Law to Defend My Rights and Reputation?

Texas is well-known for its tough stance on drug crimes, especially those that involve trafficking large quantities of controlled or illegal substances. Therefore, having an experienced criminal defense attorney is crucial when facing drug crime charges. As a result, anyone facing drug trafficking charges must hire a criminal defense lawyer who is unafraid to stand up to state prosecutors.

Shane Phelps Law boasts a proven track record in defending clients facing drug crime charges. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers provide effective defense strategies tailored to each case’s specifics.

One distinct aspect that sets us apart from other law firms is that our legal team has a former prosecutor who can provide valuable insights into how Texas prosecutes drug trafficking charges. Being convicted of drug trafficking can negatively impact your freedom and prevent you from moving forward in life.

Our criminal defense lawyers recognize that many individuals often make serious mistakes that can negatively affect them for the rest of their lives. For this reason, when you come to us for help with a drug trafficking charge, we do not make judgments but instead focus on creating legal defense strategies to help clients obtain favorable outcomes.

At Shane Phelps Law, our commitment to clients includes the following services:

Comprehensive legal guidance: We provide thorough legal guidance to help clients understand their rights and the charges they face.
Aggressive defense: Our seasoned criminal defense team aggressively challenges the prosecution’s case, aiming for the best possible outcome.
Free consultation: We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options. This initial meeting is crucial for understanding the potential defenses and strategies available.
Local knowledge: As Bryan criminal defense attorneys, we have extensive knowledge of the local legal landscape, including the practices of local law enforcement and prosecutors.

If you or a loved one is facing drug crime charges, do not hesitate to contact our law offices. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys are here to help you navigate the legal process and build a strong defense.

Facing drug crime charges is overwhelming, and navigating the complexities of the legal system requires skilled drug crime lawyers. A Bryan criminal defense attorney can provide the essential guidance and representation to defend your rights effectively.

With a deep understanding of local and state laws, these attorneys are equipped to challenge the prosecution’s case, ensuring the best possible outcome for your situation in and around Brazos County. Please contact us today at 979-596-6843 for a free consultation and take the first step towards protecting your rights and future.