Drug Crimes
Drug Crimes in Williamson and Bell County
If an individual is charged with any drug offense in Texas, they can receive very serious penalties if convicted. Anyone who has been convicted of a drug offense can possibly receive a jail or prison sentence, steep fines, a criminal record, an inability to pursue certain professions, and/or a driver’s license suspension.
Many drug offenses can be prosecuted as federal drug crimes in addition to state offenses. A conviction for a drug charge under federal law can result in longer prison sentences in federal prison and much steeper fines.
Georgetown Drug Crimes Lawyer
If you have been charged with any drug, narcotics or controlled substance offense in Georgetown, or any of the surrounding areas of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Hutto, Killeen, Temple, Benton or Harker Heights, contact the Law Office of Michael J. Price, P.C. Attorney Michael Price is an experienced criminal defense lawyer who will make every effort to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your alleged offense. Call the Law Office of Michael J. Price for a free consultation at (512) 930-3074 about your alleged drug or narcotics crime.
Georgetown Drug Charges Information Center
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Texas Drug Penalty Groups
Texas provides for a classification of various controlled substances, narcotics, medications, chemicals and drugs for the purpose of establishing criminal penalties for committing a drug offense under the Texas Controlled Substance Act. These substances are classified into four penalty groups under sections 481.101 – 105 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. Offenses involving Penalty Group I substances generally result in the most serious penalties and offenses involving substances in Penalty Group IV generally result in the least harsh punishments.
- Penalty Group I (PG-1) substances generally have a high likelihood for abuse and no known or accepted medical use in the United States. Examples of substances in this penalty group can include ecstasy, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines (meth).
- Penalty Group II (PG-2) substances usually have a high potential for abuse, but have accepted medical purposes in the United States. Examples of substances in this penalty group can include magic mushrooms or psilocybin.
- Penalty Group III (PG-3) substances are associated with a lower likelihood for abuse than Schedule I or II substances and have commonly accepted medical uses in the United States. Examples of substances in this penalty group can include Xanax, Valium, human growth hormone and steroids.
- Penalty Group IV (PG-4) substances generally have the lowest potential for abuse and are commonly used for medical purposes in the United States. Examples of substances in this penalty group can include narcotic compounds or mixtures with small amounts of codeine or opium and one or more non-narcotic active medical ingredient.
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Controlled Substances in Georgetown
Under Texas law, controlled substances can include any prescription medication, medication without a prescription, pills, street drugs, chemicals, natural substances or man-made substances. Specific examples of controlled substances can include:
Prescription Pills / Medications
- Ambien, also known as Zolpidem
- Darvon, Darvocet
- Methadone
- Morphine, also known as Roxanol, Kapanol
- OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan
- Pure Codeine
- Pure Hydrocodone
- Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall
- Valium, also known as Diazepam
- Vicodin, Lortab or Lorcet
- Xanax, also known as Alprazolam
Street Drugs
- Amphetamines, also known as Uppers or Speed
- Benzoylmethylecgonine, also known as Cocaine, Blow, Coke or Coca
- Cathinone, also known as Bath Salts
- Ecstasy or MDMA, also known as Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
- GHB or the Date Rape Drug, also known as Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
- Heroin, also known as Smack or Black Tar
- LSD or Acid, also known as Lysergic acid diethylamide
- Magic Mushrooms or Shrooms, also known as Psilocybin or Psilocyn
- Marijuana, also known as Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC), Cannabis, Marihuana, Pot, Bud, Weed or Chronic
- Methamphetamines, also known as Meth or Speed
- Opium, also known as Poppy, Poppy Seeds or Opiates
- PCP or Angel Dust, also known as Phenylcyclidine
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Drug Crimes and Offenses in Texas
Chapter 481 of the Texas Health and Safety Code lists and defines all drug charges and penalties throughout Texas. This chapter is also known as the Texas Controlled Substance Act. The following acts involving drugs or controlled substances are prohibited in Texas:
Possession of a Controlled Substance (POCS) or Possession of a Dangerous Drug (PODD) – Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.115 - 481.118 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they knowingly or intentionally possess a controlled substance without a valid prescription. The penalties for this offense can vary depending on the amount of the substance and the penalty group the offense is classified in.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.112 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they knowingly or intentionally use or possess with the intent to use drug paraphernalia for the purposes of planting, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, testing, analyzing, storing, containing or concealing a controlled substance to introduce the substance into the human body. A conviction for this offense can result in a Class A or C misdemeanor or a state jail felony.
Possession with Intent to Distribute – Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.112 - 481.114 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they knowingly possess with the intent to a deliver or distribute a substance, drug or narcotic classified in Penalty Groups I – IV. The penalties for this offense can vary, depending on the penalty group the offense is classified in and the amount of the drug.
Drug Manufacturing – Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.112 – 481.114 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they knowingly manufacture a controlled substance in Penalty Group I – IV. The penalties for this offense vary, depending on the amount of the substance and the penalty group the offense is classified in.
Drug Trafficking - Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.112 – 481.114 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they knowingly traffic a substance defined in Penalty Groups I – IV. Trafficking can include manufacturing, delivering or possessing with the intent to a deliver a narcotic or drug, and is usually in a large quantity. The penalties for this offense can vary, depending on the penalty group the drug is classified in and the amount of the substance being trafficked.
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Drug Crime Penalties in Georgetown
Penalties for drug charges in Texas are defined in Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code. Although these statutes provide for minimum punishments depending on the degree of the offense, they can be increased depending on several factors. If an individual commits an offense that involves the death or serious bodily injury of another person, they are a habitual felony offender, violent career criminal or a habitual violent felony offender, they can receive a greater penalty. The following are minimum sentences under the Texas Penal Code for each degree of drug offenses:
- A drug offense that is a Class B misdemeanor can result in a jail sentence up to 180 days and/or a fine up to $2,000
- A drug offense that is classified as a Class A misdemeanor can result in a jail sentence up to one year and/or a fine not more than $4,000.
- A state jail felony drug offense can result in a jail sentence from 180 days to two years and/or a fine up to $10,000.
- If the drug offense is a felony of the third degree, the alleged offender can be sentenced to a prison sentence from two to ten years and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
- A felony of the second degree drug offense can result in a prison sentence from two to 20 years and/or a fine not more than $10,000.
- A drug offense that is a felony of the first degree can result in a prison sentence from five years to 99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.
- Life felony drug charges can result in a prison sentence from five years to 99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine up to $250,000.
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Williamson County Drug Court
The drug court program in Williamson County is an alternative sentencing program and was created for individuals who are repeat misdemeanor drug offenders. The purpose of the program is to help these individuals recover from substance abuse and dependence.
Individuals who are eligible include residents of Williamson County, who are at least 17 years old, have no warrants in other jurisdictions, are physically and mentally capable of participating in the program and have been sentenced to at least a one year jail or prison term.
The program lasts at least 12 months and generally focuses on maintaining a sober lifestyle, completing court-ordered requirements, drug dependence treatment, and appearing at regular court hearings.
Once the offender has successfully completed all terms and conditions of the program, the charges will be dismissed. However, if an individual is unsuccessful and discharged from the drug court program, their case will be returned to court to set aside the deferred adjudication or to revoke community supervision.
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Georgetown Resources for Drug Charges
Texas Controlled Substances Act – This link is to Chapter 481 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, which defines drug offenses throughout Texas, such as possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and drug manufacturing. This chapter is also known as the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
Williamson County Drug Court – The DWI/Drug Court in Williamson County seeks to enhance public safety and reduce the number of repeat drug offenders in the county by providing an alternative type of sentence to typical jail or prison sentences. The Williamson County court is located at:
County Courts at Law
405 M.L.K. Street
Georgetown, Texas 78626
Phone: (512) 943-1410
Narcotics Anonymous – This non-profit organization was created for individuals who suffer from drug addiction to meet and support other individuals suffering from substance abuse issues in order to seek treatment and maintain a sober lifestyle. Individuals seeking a NA meeting in Georgetown, Texas can find a location on this website.
Drug Enforcement Administration - Federal Drug Penalties – The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) website provides the penalties for a federal drug crime conviction for various drug offenses, such as trafficking drugs, drug possession and possession with the intent to distribute. The DEA is a national government agency that investigates and enforces federal drug crimes.
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Law Office of Michael J. Price, P.C. | Round Rock Drug Charges Attorney
Contact the Law Office of Michael J. Price today for a consultation about your drug, narcotics or controlled substance offense throughout Williamson County in Texas. Michael Price is an experienced Georgetown criminal defense lawyer who will make every effort to find applicable defenses or mitigating factors to the allegations against you. Contact the Law Office of Michael J. Price at (512) 930-3074 for a consultation about your alleged drug crime throughout Williamson County and Bell County in Texas.