Houston Drug Crimes Lawyer

Experienced Drug Crime Defense Lawyer in Harris County

Drug charges are one of the most filed criminal cases in Harris County, Texas, courts. A conviction can have a huge negative impact on your life, including a permanent criminal record. However, just because you have been arrested for drug possession in or distribution does not mean that it is the end of the road. You will have the opportunity to tell your side of the story with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced Houston drug crimes lawyer handling your case.

Drehner Law provides clients facing drug charges in Houston with effective and seasoned legal representation. As a former Harris County prosecutor, Attorney Shannon Drehner handled hundreds of drug cases. She also worked in the criminal intake division and special crimes division, where police officers present charges for filing decisions and assist officers in drafting search and arrest warrants. This means, as a Houston drug crime lawyer, she has the experience and the knowledge to challenge the government’s case in seeking the best possible outcome.

Reach out to our Houston drug charges lawyer at (832) 558-7798 to discuss the specifics of your case in a free consultation.

Texas Drug Laws

Activities involving illegal drugs and unauthorized prescription drugs are established under the Texas Health and Safety Code. Under these laws, various classifications of drugs exist with each carrying their own set of penalties. Marijuana has its own classification and penalties independent of the others.

Our Houston criminal defense firm handles the following types of drug cases in Dallas and Harris County:

• Drug possession
• Drug possession with the intent to distribute
• Drug sale and distribution
• Drug manufacturing and cultivation
• Drug trafficking
• Prescription drug crimes

The law covers such controlled substances as heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, PCP, ecstasy, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, Adderall, Xanax and more. Federal law also makes it a crime to possess or deal with any of its scheduled controlled substances.

Penalties can vary widely in any drug conviction depending on the nature of the offense, the defendant’s criminal history, and other aggravating and mitigating factors. Penalties range from fines to probation to life imprisonment, which may also involve possible enhancement provisions. Hiring a Houston drug charges lawyer may help reduce or eliminate the penalties you could be facing.

When it comes to simple possession, for example, this drug crime is either a Class B or A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor carries penalties of up to a year in jail and/or fines of up to $4,000. More serious offenses will be charged as felonies with the highest penalties. including life in prison and fines of up to $250,000.

Proving Constructive Drug Possession in Texas

Prosecutors must prove these two things beyond a reasonable doubt in order to prove constructive possession of drugs:

• It was known to the defendant that the object existed, and
• Capable of controlling it

In this case, it is called "dominance and control." For instance, keeping drugs in your car trunk or in a locked safe are good examples. Although you may not be at home at the time, you could be in constructive possession of drugs if you have the key to the car or know the combination to the safe.

Defending You Against Drug Charges in Houston & Harris County, Texas

Fighting back against any drug charge requires the legal skills and strategies of a competent Houston drug crime attorney. At a basic level, an aggressive defense to a drug charge requires a challenge of the following:

• Basis of the stop or encounter with a police officer
• Right of the police officer to search an individual/vehicle/property
• Right of an officer to ask questions of a subject without providing legal warnings and without the benefit of an attorney
• How the state/government will prove that you had knowledge of the drugs or that they did not belong to another individual

Furthermore, fighting back in federal criminal court will require the services of a Houston drug lawyer who is experienced with the rules and procedures of this higher court and who can be as aggressive as tough federal prosecutors. At Drehner Law, you can work with a Houston defense attorney who fulfills all of these qualifications and who has consistently proven her legal ability and drive through past performance.

Get the legal assistance you need at our firm by contacting us at (832) 558-7798.