Arlington Drug Crime Lawyer

 Everything You Need To Know About Drug Charges in Arlington, TX

An Arlington drug charge attorney from the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy can help you avoid conviction for a drug offense. Call us today to schedule your free case evaluation.

Let’s be honest—Texas is very strict on drug crimes. The legal consequences are far reaching and can last a lifetime. When you’re facing drug charges in Texas, the situation should not be taken lightly. If you have a felony drug charge, you will want to find an attorney immediately. Someone who has not only the credentials, but the skills and experience necessary to fight for reduced charges, case dismissals and acquittals. Your goal is to avoid a conviction and criminal record.

Consequences of Drug Charge Convictions

Once you’ve completed your jail or prison term and paid the fine associated with your offense, you may think the crime is in the past, but a conviction never actually goes away. You will continue to be affected for years, if not forever.

You may always struggle to find good jobs, you won’t qualify for certain government programs or housing opportunities, and many schools won’t allow felons. You may lose certain rights, such as the right to bear arms and the right to vote, and you may suffer from ridicule and embarrassment anytime someone finds out about your offense.

One of the only ways to avoid all of these lifelong hardships is to avoid a conviction. You can do this by hiring an Arlington drug crimes lawyer who knows how to find the weak points in the prosecutor’s case against you, with a goal of having your charges dropped, reduced, or dismissed.

How Jeff C. Kennedy Helps Clients Avoid a Conviction For Drug Crimes

What harm can a conviction have on your life? For starters, you were charged in Texas where the law is pretty severe in punishment and what qualifies as a felony or misdemeanor. If you were charged with a felony, you’ll be sentenced to either jail or prison time, depending on the offense. Even a seemingly minor drug charge can result in serious confinement. You’ll also face fines and a big black mark on your criminal record, making it impossible for you to ever put your mistake behind you.

Attorney Jeff C. Kennedy understands the laws and Arlington justice system. He knows how to pick apart the prosecutor’s case against you. He has handled thousands of cases. When you choose Jeff to defend you, you are hiring an attorney that will make it his priority to first negotiate a better deal for you or have your charges dismissed entirely. He has extensive experience as a trial attorney as well, and he knows how to convince a jury to find you innocent.

What You Can Expect When You Choose Mr. Kennedy:

• Careful listen without jumping to conclusions regarding guilt.
• We thoroughly review the evidence to build a defense, regardless if the state says its evidence or not.
• We interview all witnesses, including those that we find on your behalf (not the state)
• We review all of the factors and your situation before taking your case.
• Careful and strategically craft a well prepared defense with skill and confidence
• Keep you updated on your case often and clearly.

Schedule a free case review and strategy session with Jeff C. Kennedy today. Let us help you avoid a conviction. 

Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy, PLLC
303 W Abram St
Arlington, TX, 76010
(817) 605-1012
Hours:Open 24/7
Schedule Your Free Consultation

Types of Drug Crimes We Defend 

Drug crimes can cover a wide array of offenses, from small amounts of drugs in your possession all the way to large-scale delivery and manufacturing of narcotics. If you are facing a drug offense, big or small, we are here to help.

Here’s a review of the different kinds of drug crimes you could be facing:

• Manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Delivery of marijuana
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession or transport of certain chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance

Legal Penalties for Crimes Involving Drugs

Texas uses “schedules” and penalty groups to classify controlled substances into different groups. Groups 1, 1-A, 2, and 2-A, are considered more serious, while groups 3 and 4 are taken less seriously. Below is a simple breakdown of a few drug offenses and the penalties associated with them.

The legal punishments for drug convictions in Arlington are wide-ranging. Your punishment is based on a number of factors, including the following:

• The amount of the substance you allegedly possessed
• Whether a child was present during the manufacturing of the controlled substance
• Whether the drugs were sold or delivered to children
• Whether you allegedly used a child in the commission of a drug offense
• Possession for use or possession for sale

Texas uses “schedules” to classify controlled substances into different groups. Groups 1, 1-A, 2, and 2-A, are considered more serious, while groups 3 and 4 are taken less seriously. Below is a simple breakdown of a few drug offenses and the penalties associated with them.

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance

Groups 1, 1-A, and 2 are charged, at minimum, as state jail felonies. The charge can go up to a first-degree felony if you’re caught manufacturing or delivering more than 400 grams. Penalties could include time in state jail all the way to life in prison, as well as fines.

Groups 3 and 4 can be charged as state jail felonies if you’re manufacturing or delivering less than twenty-eight grams. Manufacture or delivery of more than twenty-eight grams can get you charged with a more serious felony.

Possession of a Controlled Substance

Groups 1, 1-A, and 2 are charged, at minimum, as state jail felonies. Again, the level of felony you’re charged with could increase if you’re caught in possession of more than 400 grams. Your penalties could range from state jail to life imprisonment and large fines.

Groups 3 and 4 are state jail felonies if you’re in possession of less than twenty-eight grams. Possession of more than twenty-eight grams can increase your charge to a felony, with penalties ranging between a few years in prison to life in prison, in addition to fines.

Delivery and Possession of Marijuana

If you’re caught in possession of less than four ounces of marijuana, you can be charged with a misdemeanor. Anything over four ounces will be charged as a felony. The level of felony depends on the amount you’re in possession of, and penalties range between state jail and life imprisonment, as well as fines.

If you’re caught delivering marijuana, less than one-quarter of an ounce is charged as a misdemeanor, and more than one-quarter ounce but less than five pounds is a state jail felony. Anything over five pounds is charged as a felony, and the level and term of imprisonment depends on the amount of marijuana you’re accused of delivering.

Understanding Drug Crime Defense Stratagies 

Just because you’re found near some drugs doesn’t mean the drugs were yours. There are a number of situations in which you could be charged with a drug offense when you aren’t actually guilty of the crime.

For example: You walked into your friend’s house and sat down on the sofa, intending to watch a movie with your buddy. Suddenly, the police show up and search the house. Under the couch cushion you were sitting on, your friend had hidden some marijuana. The police arrest you and claim the drugs were yours because you were sitting there.

Should you simply plead guilty because you were in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or should you fight the charge? You shouldn’t be punished for an offense you didn’t commit, but pleading guilty will all but ensure that will happen.

Here are a few common defenses attorneys use against drug charges in Arlington:

• Unlawful search and seizure
• Unwitting possession
• Drugs belonging to someone else
• Mistakes on the part of the crime lab
• Entrapment
• Planted drugs

Schedule A Free Case Review With Jeff C. Kennedy Today

It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor involving marijuana or a felony like selling or distributing heroin—we work to protect the rights of our clients, regardless of the seriousness of the crimes they’re accused of.

We will investigate anything from the simplest drug case to the most complex, all the while fighting to give you the very best defense possible.

Call an Arlington drug crime lawyer with the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy. We will review your case for free if you call 817-605-1010 or enter your information into the online contact form at the bottom of this page.