CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Drug Crimes
Possession Of Cocaine Defense Attorney
If you or a loved one has been charged with cocaine possession, then you will face serious felony charges that could cause you to lose your job, your ability to drive and even your freedom. Cocaine charges can often lead to prison time, and a conviction can also affect your right to vote, hold public office, and possess a firearm.
The ripple effect of a cocaine-possession conviction can touch every aspect of your life and your family’s life. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you fight the charge and work to minimize the damage to your future.
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In Texas, it is a felony offense to knowingly possess any quantity of cocaine, no matter how small the amount. The laws governing cocaine possession are contained in Chapter 481 of the Texas Health and Safety Code within the Texas Controlled Substances Act.
Cocaine is a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1. That means even a very small amount can be charged as a state jail felony. The type and amount of the substance determine the level of the offense.
The potential penalties for cocaine possession are determined largely by the amount alleged to have been possessed. Less than 1 gram is a state jail felony punishable by 180 days to 2 years in state jail. Between 1 and 4 grams is a third-degree felony punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison.
Between 4 and 200 grams is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison. Between 200 and 400 grams is a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison. For 400 grams or more, the punishment range is 10 to 99 years or life. Fines can also be substantial.
An arrest for cocaine possession does not mean you are automatically guilty. The state must still prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intentionally or knowingly possessed cocaine.
Common defenses include no lawful basis for the stop or detention, no valid warrant for a search of premises, no legal basis for a warrantless vehicle search, no probable cause to arrest, and no knowledge of or intent to possess the cocaine. You should not be prosecuted for someone else’s cocaine when you had no knowledge of its presence.
If you or your loved one has been arrested for cocaine possession, then you need an attorney with the knowledge and experience to protect you. The state has enormous resources to prosecute these cases, and you need a resourceful and experienced attorney on your side.
Attorney Waren Price at The Price Firm, PLLC, has more than 20 years of experience prosecuting and defending cocaine possession cases and can help you work toward the best outcome possible.
