Houston Drug Trafficking Lawyer

Helping Clients Beat Drug Trafficking Cases Throughout Harris County, Texas

With the high stakes involved with any criminal charge, you need an experienced criminal trial attorney by your side. Attorney Shannon Drehner brings her years of experience as a chief felony prosecutor to defend you when you need it most. Additionally, prosecutors will seek to have offenders punished to the full extent of the law, which means a person convicted of a crime can spend decades in prison and have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines. That’s why it’s critical to consult a drug trafficking lawyer in Houston immediately. For the effective counsel you need, reach out to Drehner Law as soon as possible.

When you hire our criminal defense firm, we will approach your case strategically, pulling from our knowledge as a former prosecutor to build a defense that is tailored to your needs and anticipates the other side’s moves. We will provide the compassionate yet aggressive representation you need throughout your case.

Speak with us about your circumstances during a free consultation by calling 832-626-0063 or submitting an online contact form today.

What Constitutes Drug Trafficking in Texas?

Drug possession typically involves holding a controlled substance for personal use, and while still a felony, the penalties are generally less severe than trafficking charges. In contrast, a drug trafficking case arises when someone sells, delivers, transports, or imports a controlled substance with the intent to distribute. Because trafficking reflects a higher level of culpability, it carries significantly harsher penalties, including long prison terms and substantial fines.

If you are facing drug charges, navigating the legal process can be overwhelming. Our Houston drug crime lawyers understand the complexities of both possession and trafficking cases and will provide strategic, knowledgeable guidance every step of the way.

What Are The Potential Penalties For a Drug Trafficking Conviction in Texas?

Under the Texas Health and Safety Code, drug trafficking is always a felony.

Generally, drug trafficking can be charged as:

State jail felony, which is punishable by between 180 days and 2 years in state jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000
Second-degree felony, which carries a prison sentence of between 2 and 20 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000
First-degree felony, punishable by between 5 and 99 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000

In Texas, controlled substances are classified into 4 Penalty Groups, with those in Group 1 being considered the most serious and those in Group 4 the least. The degree of the felony charge depends on the type and amount of controlled substance and under which penalty group it’s classified. A skilled drug crime lawyer will know how to attack the state’s accusations against you and can work toward avoiding or minimizing drug crime penalties.

How Are Drug Trafficking Cases Classified in Texas?

Drug Trafficking Penalty Group 1

For a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, the charges are as follows:

State jail felony: Trafficking of less than 1 gram
Second-degree felony: Trafficking of between 1 and 4 grams
First-degree felony: Trafficking between 4 and 200 grams

For Penalty Group 1-A drugs, the charges include:

State jail felony: Trafficking fewer than 20 units
Second-degree felony: Trafficking between 20 and 80 units
First-degree felony: Trafficking between 80 and 4,000 units

Drug Trafficking Penalty Groups 2

For controlled substances in Penalty Groups 2 and 2-A, the charges include:

State jail felony: Trafficking less than 1 gram
Second-degree felony: Trafficking between 1 and 4 grams
First-degree felony: Trafficking between 4 and 400 grams

Drug Trafficking Penalty Groups 3 & 4

For drugs in Penalty Groups 3 and 4, the charges are as follows:

State jail felony: Trafficking less than 28 grams
Second-degree felony: Trafficking between 28 and 200 grams
First-degree felony: Trafficking between 200 and 400 grams

For all Penalty Groups, if a person is convicted of trafficking a controlled substance in an amount greater than that for a first-degree felony charge, they could be sentenced to between 10 and 99 years’ imprisonment. Additionally, they could face a fine ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, which depends on the Penalty Group of the drug they allegedly trafficked.

Let our criminal lawyer fight your drug trafficking case. Contact our firm today for help!

Book A Free Consultation With Our Drug Trafficking Attorney in Houston

At Drehner Law, our Houston drug trafficking lawyer understands how frightening and stressful it can be to face penalties as harsh as those for drug trafficking. That is why we will work tirelessly toward a favorable outcome on your behalf. We will focus on your best interests as we challenge the accusations made against you.

Contact our Houston criminal defense attorney at 832-626-0063 today.