Most of the drug-related offenses that are charged in state court tend to be relatively minor. Federal crimes, on the other hand, almost always come with jail time, lengthy prison sentences, and hefty fines. Drug trafficking prosecutions are particularly common in Texas. In fact, in 2010, two of the top five federal districts for drug […]

While the possession of small amounts of marijuana has been legalized in many states, it remains a misdemeanor level crime in Texas, which means that defendants who are convicted of this offense face serious penalties, including jail time and fines. Although not as serious as a felony offense, misdemeanor allegations should still not be taken […]

Under Texas law, there are two forms of possession, either of which can result in serious drug possession charges. The first of these forms is known as actual possession and as its name suggests, occurs when law enforcement officers actually find illegal drugs in a person’s direct physical possession, such as in their hands or […]

Any type of drug possession charge should be taken seriously, as a conviction can come with severe penalties, including jail time and fines. These crimes are punished even more harshly, however, when they take place in certain areas. Those who are found in possession of an illegal substance while in a drug-free zone, for example, […]

Being convicted of a drug-related crime comes with serious penalties, including hefty fines and significant jail time. Certain types of drug offenses, however, including distribution of a controlled substance, come with particularly harsh penalties, so if you were recently accused of possessing or distributing drugs, it is important to contact an experienced drug charges lawyer […]

The U.S. Constitution generally prohibits warrantless police searches of a suspect’s property. There are, however, multiple exceptions to this general rule. One such exception is for a “search incident to arrest.” This exception provides that when police lawfully arrest a suspect, the officers may conduct a search of the person and the area within the […]

Texas law enforcement often relies on “confidential informants” to assist them in making drug arrests. By law, the prosecution may continue to keep the identity of these informants secret from the defendant during trial, unless the judge determines there is a “reasonable probability” that the informant can offer testimony “necessary to a fair determination of […]

Police officers often rely on undercover work and confidential informants to help gather evidence of potential drug crimes. In some cases, however, these actions may cross the line from a legitimate investigation into what is known as “entrapment.” As defined by the Texas Penal Code, entrapment refers to a situation where a defendant engaged in […]

Two police officers knock on your door. When you answer, you notice the officers are wearing bulletproof vests and have their hands on their weapons. They say they just want to “talk” with you. You step outside. The officers remove their hands from their guns. The officer then says they received a report of marijuana […]

The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every part of American society. But prisons are especially vulnerable to outbreaks. Thousands of inmates and prison staff have already tested positive for the virus, and dozens have died as a result of their exposure. In response to this crisis at the federal level, Congress included provisions in the CARES […]