DALLAS TEXAS, DRUG CRIMES DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

A misdemeanor or felony drug charge can affect good people in life-changing ways, including loss of jobs or college, military, and vocational opportunities. A conviction or even a probated sentence can leave a permanent stain on a person’s criminal history. Fortunately, a good attorney can often help mitigate or completely eliminate these and other consequences. If you live in Fort Worth, Denton, Plano, or McKinney, reach out to MC Criminal Law in Dallas, Texas, for criminal defense you can trust.

There are many questions to consider in analyzing a situation where someone is charged with drug possession or distribution:

1. Was the arrest legal?

2. Was the search legal?

3. Did the drugs belong to someone else?

4. Could the charged individual qualify for a diversion program that would end with the case being dismissed and expunged?

5. Is there an addiction issue that needs to be addressed?

6. How do we keep the case from becoming part of a person’s permanent criminal history?

Why Choose MC Criminal Law?
We are experienced drug crime attorneys.

Experience

With more than 30 years of criminal experience and 300 trials between them, Messina Madson and Kendall Castello know how to analyze and defend these kinds of criminal prosecutions. They know the issues involved as well as many of the prosecutors and judges.

As First Assistant and Administrative Chief for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, Messina and Kendall helped build and implement the nation’s largest DA-led diversion program, which offers expunction or non-disclosure to many offenders who complete state rehabilitation requirements. They know the options available to deal with an allegation and keep it off their clients’ records.

Personal Attention

MC Criminal Law is committed to providing extensive, personalized attention to every client. Unlike law firms that depend upon high volumes of cases, they choose to work with few clients for exceptional results. They use their extensive experience as both prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys to zealously fight for their clients.  If that sounds like what you are looking for, they are an ideal firm.

Types and Levels of Drug Offenses in Texas

Drug offenses can range in severity from a class C misdemeanor (the lowest level criminal offense) to an enhanced 1st degree felony (the highest-level criminal offense short of capital murder).  The level of the offense charged is based on three factors:

1. The substance involved (i.e. marijuana starts at a lower offense level than methamphetamine).

2. The weight of the substance found. The greater the weight of the illegal drug, the higher the criminal offense charged.

3. Whether law enforcement believes a person just possessed an illegal drug or was manufacturing, selling, or delivering the substance. Usually, law enforcement will make this determination based on the amount of drugs found, whether there were multiple, individually wrapped packages, or the presence of items like scales, baggies, or large amounts of cash.  Charges for manufacture and delivery of illegal substances are greater than offenses for simply possessing the drug.

Since there are so many types of drugs and different weights, the examples below are only a sample of the types of offenses that can fall under an offense level.  Common drugs types charged include: marijuana, opioids, heroin, PCP, methamphetamine, ice, cocaine, crack, LSD, various prescription drugs, and many more.

“I highly recommend the MC Criminal Law Firm to anyone needing representation and guidance for any criminal matter they may have.” – VS

Class C Misdemeanor – Up to $500 fine

Possession of Drug Paraphenalia

Class B Misdemeanor – Up to 180 days in jail and up to $2,000 fine

Possession of Marijuana – 2 ounces or less

Class A Misdemeanor – Up to 1 year in jail and up to $4,000 fine

Possession of Marijuana – More than 2 ounces but less than 4 ounces

State Jail Felony – Up to 2 years and not less than 180 days and up to $10,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Less than 1 gram

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Less than 1 gram

Third Degree Felony – 2 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams

Second Degree Felony – 2 to 20 years in prison and a up to $10,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams

Manufacture of Delivery – 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams

First Degree Felony – 5 years to 99 years or Life and up to $10,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams

First Degree Felony Enhanced – 10 years to 99 years or Life and up to $100,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – 400 grams or more

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – 200 grams or more but less than 400 grams

First Degree Felony Enhanced – 15 years to 99 years or Life and up to $250,000 fine

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – 400 grams or more

Results

When you are accused of a criminal offense, nothing speaks louder than the results an attorney earns. Here are a few examples of results we have received in recent cases:

Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Case Reduced and Client Admitted into a Diversion Program

Police called when unknown individuals enter client’s home to steal drugs and assault him badly. By showing lack of criminal record and former military service where client was injured, prosecutor agreed to reduce the charge to possession and admit client into diversion program.

Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Case Dismissed and Expunged

By demonstrating client’s fiancé was the actual dealer, charge reduced to possession of a controlled substance. Prosecutor agreed to allow client into a diversion program. Case dismissed and expunged.

Possession of Marijuana – Case Dismissed

Teenage client with no record and plans to enter military in about a month. Negotiated an immediate dismissal to allow for his joining the military.

Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Case Dismissed and Expunged

Client holding a backpack for friend who was a drug dealer. Verified that client was not the drug dealer and demonstrated that he only used marijuana. Case indicted as a possession of a controlled substance case and client allowed into diversion program. Case dismissed and expunged.

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Case Not Filed by the Police Department

Intervened for client with police by giving further explanation of events that led to arrest and proof of clean drug tests. Police did not file case with the DA’s office.