Parker County Possession of Marijuana Defense Attorney
All across the nation, tolerance for marijuana is growing. States like Colorado and Massachusetts have decriminalized small amounts of the drug. Texas has loosened its white-knuckle grip on possession of marijuana too. The Texas legislature allows possession of low-grade marijuana extract for medicinal purposes. Until Texas catches up with the trend blowing across the country, possession will continue to be a crime for which for which a court can put someone in jail, assess a substantial fine, and place someone on probation with mandatory drug screens and rehabilitation.
Collateral consequences of facing a conviction for a marijuana charge can force your life to unravel. A criminal conviction might cost you your job, driver’s license, or professional license. Additionally, you will have a criminal record. Courts in Parker County do not go backward and give people with criminal histories breaks if they face charges again. With a criminal conviction, you could lose your license to carry a gun as well. That is why you should call former state prosecutor Jeff Hampton to fight your Parker County marijuana possession charge. Simply too much is at stake to try to take on the government alone.
Penalties for Possession of Marijuana
The penalties for possession, not to be confused with delivery, of marijuana escalate: the more serious the charge is, the more severe the sentence gets. The ranges of punishments are:
- up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000.00 for a Class B misdemeanor for possessing two ounces or less,
- jail for one year or a $4,000.00 fine for a Class A misdemeanor for controlling an amount weighing more than two ounces but less than four ounces,
- a state jail felony resulting in incarceration for up to two years but no less than 180 days if the weight is more than four ounces but less than five pounds,
- a third-degree felony for having more than five but less than 50 pounds resulting in imprisonment for no more than ten years in prison but no less than two years in prison,
- a second-degree felony for controlling more than 50 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds leading to incarceration in the state prison for no less than two years but no more than 20 years, and
- a first-degree felony for more than 2, 0000 pounds and you may be sent to prison for life but not less than five years and no more than 99 years.
Most people understand that Texas does not mess around when it comes to enforcement of its criminal laws. The law enforcement officers patrolling Parker County and the prosecutors who bring the case to court relentlessly pursue severe punishments for people who run afoul of the criminal law. Pushing hard for long periods of incarceration may be unjust in many circumstances.
How to Beat a Marijuana Possession Case in Parker County
There are two primary methods of beating a criminal case involving possession. The first method most criminal defense lawyers pursue is aggressively pursuing a constitutional remedy. Both the U.S. Constitution and the Texas State Constitution protect individuals from unlawful searches and seizures. If the police violated your constitutional rights when they seized the purported marijuana, then the judge must suppress the evidence the officer found. Effectively, suppression of evidence ends the prosecution because the government cannot use unlawfully seized evidence against you.
The second method works in conjunction with the first even though different constitutional rights are at stake. You can elect to have the state prove the case against you. Just because you were charged with possession of marijuana does not automatically make you guilty. You might have a chance to beat the case if the drugs were found in a car or house that was not yours and to which you had no connection. In other words, merely “being present” where drugs were found is insufficient evidence to convict you.
Sometimes the evidence is so substantial that taking the case to trial is too risky. In that instance, the best strategy is to argue for a lighter sentence. Taking responsibility for your actions could mean probation or a fine instead of jail.
Successful Marijuana Possession Defense Attorney in Parker County
Former state prosecutor Jeff Hampton has the skill and experience you need to defend your rights zealously. As soon as you meet with him, Attorney Hampton will begin strategizing your defense. With his vast knowledge and track record of victories, you can rest assured Attorney Jeff Hampton will fight for you and your family. Call Parker County Marijuana Possession Attorney Jeff Hampton today at 817-877-5201
