El Paso Drug Crime Lawyers
Drug-related crimes are possibly some of the most aggressively prosecuted cases in the Texas legal system. In their on-going “war on drugs,” it seems that there is almost nothing that law enforcement and prosecutors won’t do in order to obtain a conviction. The thing that sometimes gets lost in these cases is the basic constitutional rights of the person being investigated.
At Rosales Law Firm, we stand committed to defending residents of the greater El Paso area who are facing drug-related crime charges. If you or a loved one is experiencing this, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
What Constitutes A Drug Crime In Texas
Drug crimes in Texas cover a wide range of offenses based on the type of drug, the amount and your alleged intent. Schedule 1 drugs are substances that have no accepted medical use and are highly likely to be abused such as heroin and ecstasy. Schedule 5 drugs are far milder substances, including cough syrup with a small amount of codeine. If your drug charge involves larger quantities of a severe substance, with evidence that you intended to distribute it, you can face substantial punishment.
Felony Versus Misdemeanor: What’s The Difference?
Facing any kind of drug-related charge can be stressful. However, the stakes around a felony charge are often significantly higher.
- Misdemeanor: If you are charged with a misdemeanor, you may face relatively smaller fines, probation and a brief stay behind bars.
- Felony: You may face substantial fines, extended jail time, and more. All the punishments that can come with misdemeanors can be far more severe.
A misdemeanor charge is more likely with “simple” drug charges, like having a small quantity of a milder substance in your personal possession. A felony can come into play if you are accused of distributing a severe substance. At Rosales Law Firm, we have experience defending Texans against a wide spectrum of offenses.
Legal Consequences For Drug Crimes
Your existing record also influences your potential consequences. First-time offenders may be given more lenient punishments such as probation, drug education programs, jail time and relatively smaller fines.
If you have prior convictions, you may be seen as a risk to yourself and others around you. This can lead to a mandatory minimum sentence, large fines and a greater chance that you will be denied alternative sentencing.
Types Of Drug Crimes
If you face drug-related criminal charges in Texas, it will likely be one of these four categories:
- Possession: A controlled substance was found on your person, but you don’t have a prescription for it.
- Trafficking: You’re accused of being involved in the sale, transportation and distribution of a controlled substance.
- Manufacturing: Evidence suggests that you helped produce the drugs.
- Distribution: This charge typically applies if evidence suggests you are a part of a larger network where your role is selling or dispensing the drugs in question.
Far too many people shrug off drug charges because they think that everything will turn out okay. Your life potentially changing is never something to shrug off. At Rosales Law Firm, we investigate the details of your case and work to build up the strongest defense we can.
Why Hire Rosales Law Firm?
At Rosales Law Firm, we understand how high-stakes drug offense cases are. Attorneys Joe and Marc Rosales have decades of courtroom experience handling misdemeanors and felonies. What’s more, they used to be prosecutors themselves, so they have inside knowledge of what tactics opposing counsel may use. They are in touch with the El Paso local community and legal landscape. Learn more about them here.
Contact our office today to discuss your case. We are available during regular business hours and by appointment at other times. You can reach us by phone at 915-219-5516 or via e-mail. We also accept all major credit cards for your convenience.