Arlington Marijuana Possession Lawyer

A marijuana offense can damage your record and your future. But you can fight your charge by hiring an Arlington marijuana possession attorney with our office.

In many states, possession of marijuana is considered a relatively minor offense. But that’s not the case in Texas.

You may not have known the penalties of a marijuana conviction in Texas before your arrest, but that won’t keep you from being penalized. An experienced Arlington marijuana possession lawyer can help keep you out of jail and keep you from getting a permanent mark on your record.

Employers in Texas don’t like to see any convictions in a background check—even a misdemeanor marijuana charge will be a huge red flag. It’s important to aggressively fight against a conviction, and we can help you do that.

Legal Consequences of Arlington Marijuana Possession Convictions

The crime of marijuana possession can range from misdemeanor offenses to major felony offenses, depending on the circumstances. Below is a list of basic penalties for possession of marijuana in Arlington:

• Possession of under two ounces of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, punished by jail and a fine.
• Possession of between two and four ounces is a Class A misdemeanor, punished by jail and a fine.
• Possession of between four ounces and five pounds of marijuana is a state jail felony, which is punished by state jail and a fine.
• Possession of between five and fifty pounds is a third-degree felony, punished by prison and a fine.
• Possession of between fifty and 2,000 pounds of marijuana is a second-degree felony, punished by prison and a fine.
• Possession of over 2,000 pounds is a first-degree felony, punished by between five and ninety-nine years to life in prison and a fine.

Other Factors That Can Increase Your Punishment

You aren’t the first to believe that being in possession of a little pot won’t get you into any major trouble. But Texas has criminal penalties for all possession charges, and even the most minor charge can still put you in jail and have you paying a hefty fine under certain circumstances.

Here are the factors that can make even a first-time offense turn into a felony:

• The amount of marijuana you were accused of possessing
• Whether you were found with marijuana in a drug-free zone like a school
• Whether you were in the presence of minors

There Are Defenses Against Marijuana Charges

You may believe that, if you’re caught with drugs in your possession, there is no viable defense for your case. That’s not true. Here are some of the defenses your marijuana possession lawyer in Arlington can use to keep a marijuana conviction off of your record:

• Police committed unlawful search and seizure.
• The drugs belonged to someone else.
• The crime lab made a mistake.
• The drugs were planted.
• You were a victim of entrapment.

Consult with an Arlington Marijuana Possession Attorney

Many people believe a marijuana offense won’t negatively impact their lives, but they are mistaken. In Texas, all drug offenses are taken very seriously, and marijuana crimes are not excluded. You will still suffer legal consequences if you’re convicted, but the non-legal penalties can affect you longer and be far more harmful to your future.

Hiring an Arlington marijuana possession lawyer can save you from suffering any of these consequences, legal or otherwise. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy have experience handling all types of drug cases. Call for your free consultation at 817-605-1010, or complete the online contact form at the bottom of this page.