Prescription Drug Charge Lawyer in Friendswood

A prescription drug charge can threaten your freedom and create serious legal consequences. Texas law regulates certain prescription medications as controlled substances, and a conviction involving one of these drugs will derail your personal and professional life for years. 

The circumstances surrounding your arrest can affect how the case should be handled. The state will work hard to prove its allegations, and it’s smart to get legal help. Our prescription drug charge lawyer in Friendswood will help you understand your options and fight for your future. 

Our team at the Law Offices of Tad Nelson has over 100 years of combined legal experience, much of it advocating for Texans accused of criminal activity.  Learn more about how our drug crimes lawyers in Friendswood can help when you call for your free consultation. 

Understanding Texas Prescription Drug Charges

Texas law treats prescription medications differently depending on how the drug is classified. Some prescription drugs are controlled substances and are regulated under the Texas Controlled Substances Act. 

Having a prescription does not automatically end a criminal case. The circumstances surrounding the medication can determine whether the law recognizes the possession as lawful. The state may also make allegations that go beyond ordinary medical use of a drug.

The burden is on the state to prove the alleged charges against you. Our criminal defense lawyers in Friendswood will review your charges and build a strategy that reduces their impact on your life to the greatest extent possible.

How Our Prescription Drug Lawyers Can Help

When you are facing a prescription drug charge, our attorneys can take an independent look at the evidence and the circumstances surrounding your arrest. 

• We examine the police reports and other evidence to understand what the state is relying on to support the charge.
• Our legal team will look at how police encountered you and whether the circumstances surrounding the arrest raise legal concerns.
• We determine whether your prescription is relevant to the allegations and how it may affect the case.
• Our attorneys will assess whether the evidence establishes the elements required for the state to obtain a conviction.
• When appropriate, we can negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduced charge or more favorable outcome based on the circumstances of your case.

It may feel like the prosecution has the upper hand when you are facing a prescription drug charge. Our team can level the playing field and seek every avenue for a favorable outcome in your case. 

Common Prescription Drug Charges in Texas

While the specific charge is important when determining how to defend the case, our prescription drug charge attorneys in Friendswood may focus on the conduct the state actually alleges. Issues we encountered tend to fall under a few specific categories. 

Possession of Prescription Drugs Without a Prescription

Texas can prosecute possession of a controlled substance when the state alleges that you knowingly or intentionally possessed the substance without legal authorization. 

The prosecution must prove the elements required for the particular offense charged.

We do not assume that finding medication near you proves possession. We examine how police discovered it and what was happening at the time. This may reveal whether the evidence truly connects you to the alleged offense, or if the cops obtained evidence improperly.

Constructive Possession of Prescription Drugs

The state does not necessarily have to allege that you physically held the medication. A possession case can involve situations in which prosecutors claim that you exercised control over a substance found somewhere else.

Finding medication near you does not automatically establish possession. We can review the circumstances and challenge the charge if the evidence does not sufficiently link you to the medication.

Prescription Drug Fraud and Related Charges

Some prescription drug cases involve allegations beyond simple possession.  For example, your case may involve an allegation that you used a prescription issued to another person or presented a prescription containing a forged signature. 

Information from a pharmacy or statements made during an investigation may become part of the prosecution’s case. Our job is to determine whether that evidence actually proves the elements required for a conviction.

Prescription Drug Charge Penalties in Texas

Texas considers the type of controlled substance involved and the amount allegedly possessed. Under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, violations involving certain controlled substances can range from a misdemeanor to a felony.

In Texas, charges for prescription drug offenses can be either misdemeanors or felonies. A misdemeanor can lead to up to one year in jail. Felony charges are more serious and come with longer penalties. They can result in state jail time, or even up to 99 years or life in prison. Fines may be as high as $10,000.

The potential punishment for a prescription drug charge can vary substantially. Our Friendswood prescription drug charge lawyers can explain the potential punishments you are facing. 

Get Help from Our Prescription Drug Charge Attorneys in Friendswood

A prescription drug charge can lead to serious criminal penalties. Don’t try to take on the state by yourself when so much is on the line. 

Our prescription drug charge attorneys in Friendswood can review the circumstances that led to your arrest and determine where the prosecution’s case may be vulnerable. 

The Law Offices of Tad Nelson has handled more than 500 jury trials. We will go to the mattress for you. Call us today for a free consultation so we can discuss your case and your available legal options.