Katy Drug Crime Lawyer

Katy Drug Crime Attorney

Texas’s strict laws governing drugs can leave people facing drug crime charges feeling like their case is helpless. This isn’t true. A Katy drug crime lawyer can guide you in fighting against brutal penalties and protect your rights when facing drug charges.

Greco Neyland, PC is an A+ rated firm that’s committed to providing skilled defense to every criminal charge. Our attorneys have helped over 5,000 Texans navigate their criminal charges and have experience in a variety of drug crimes, from possession, trafficking, manufacturing, and more.

Overview of Drug Charges in Katy, Texas

In Texas, the drug overdose rate is 18.5 per 100,000 people. The controlled substances causing these deaths are divided into penalty groups based on their danger and penalties under Texas’s Controlled Substances Act. Common penalties include thousands of dollars in fines, drug rehabilitation programs, and lengthy prison sentences, but vary depending on:

• Which penalty group drug belongs to
• Quantity of the drug
• Whether you were possessing, manufacturing, cultivating, delivering, possessing with the intent to deliver, or conducting prescription drug fraud

The penalties and charges vary greatly based on a multitude of factors, so hire a drug crime lawyer who can bring you clarity on what your charges mean and what consequences they may have. Identifying which penalty group the drug belongs to can give you an idea of what penalties you may face. Penalty group 1 can result in some of the most extreme sentences, while penalty group 4 is generally the least severe.

Penalty Group 1, 1-A, and 1-B

Drug crimes that involve controlled substances in penalty group 1 are always a felony, with sentences ranging from 180 days to 99 years. In Harris County, 52.7% of possession convictions involve <1g of penalty group 1 substances. Controlled substances in this group include some of the most addictive and easy-to-abuse drugs, including:

• Cocaine
• Opiates such as heroin
• Methamphetamine
• Morphine (without a prescription)
• Ketamine

Penalty group 1-A targets lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other similar hallucinogens. For these drugs, the penalties are determined by dosage units rather than weight.

Penalty group 1-B is separated from penalty group 1 to address the synthetic opioid crisis in Texas, which caused over 400 deaths in Harris County in 2023. Penalty group 1-B includes the synthetic opioid fentanyl and its derivatives: α-Methylfentanyl, α-Methylacetylfentanyl, and any other derivative.

Penalty Group 2 and 2-A

Penalty group 2 contains illegal substances that may have some medical use in certain cases, but are still extremely addictive with a high likelihood of abuse. Drug crimes for penalty group 2 are classified as a felony. Examples include:

• MDMA (ecstasy or Molly)
• Amphetamines (without a prescription)
• Tetrahydrocannabinols (THC)

Penalty Group 2-A targets synthetic marijuana/cannabinoids. Possession of less than 4 ounces is a misdemeanor, while possession of more than 4 ounces is a felony.

Penalty Group 3

Penalty Group 3 contains prescription medications that are likely to be abused but have a valid medical use (requiring a valid medical prescription). Possession of under 28 grams is a misdemeanor, while possession of over 28 grams is a felony. Examples of penalty group 3 substances include:

• Benzodiazepines (such as Xanax or valium)
• Ritalin, Adderall, and other ADHD medications
• Anabolic steroids

Penalty Group 4

Penalty Group 4 contains controlled substances with medical uses and limited abuse potential. Possession of under 28 grams is a misdemeanor, and possession of over 28 grams is a felony. Penalty group 4 includes drugs such as:

• Medications containing a small amount of opium
• Medications containing a small amount of codeine
• Medications containing a small amount of morphine

Why Hire a Drug Crime Lawyer

Whether you were charged with possession, manufacturing, delivering, or another drug charge in Katy, TX, a conviction can lead to life-changing penalties. A lawyer’s knowledge of Texas and federal drug crime laws can help you understand your charges and associated consequences while easing your stress over your charges.

A Katy drug crime lawyer is often able to find grounds for reduced charges or dismissal of your case based on evidence. In many drug crime cases, your lawyer can suppress evidence that was gathered illegally, such as through an illegal search and seizure, so it can not be used against you. A lawyer can prove innocence through evidence, such as by presenting valid prescriptions for controlled substances.

FAQs About Katy, TX Drug Crime Laws

What Are Drug-Free Zones?

Drug-free zones are 1,000 feet around certain public places, such as a school, playground, or residential treatment center. If your drug offense occurred in a drug-free zone, there may be greater penalties, including a higher minimum sentence, longer probation periods, and a lower likelihood of being eligible for parole. An experienced lawyer can help you if your offense happened in a drug-free zone.

What if the Drug Is Not Listed in a Penalty Group?

If a drug that resulted in a drug charge is not specifically listed in Texas’s Controlled Substances Act, it is treated like the drugs it is chemically similar to for the purposes of deciding penalties. For example, a fentanyl derivative that is not listed can be classified as penalty group 1-B, as it is an analogue to fentanyl.

Will Your License Be Suspended if You Are Convicted of a Drug Crime in Katy?

Yes, a drug crime conviction in Katy can result in a license suspension for 90 days. You may have to take a 15-hour drug education program, obtain a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate, and pay a $100 license reinstatement fee before your license can be reinstated. If you do not have a license at the time of your conviction, you won’t be able to obtain one during the 90 days

Can Drug Charges Be Dismissed in Katy?

Yes, in many cases, drug charges can be dismissed in Katy. A variety of defenses may lead to dismissal, such as by proving you were unaware of the drug’s presence, and thus were not knowingly possessing or trafficking it, or by challenging the legality of police searches and seizures or otherwise proving police misconduct.

Contact a Katy Drug Crime Attorney Today

With harsh sentences and confusing classification systems, facing drug charges in Texas is not easy. Contact Greco Neyland, PC, for a free consultation to learn how a drug crime attorney can help guide you through your drug charges.