Texas has several penalty groups for drug charges. Specific substances have distinctive punishments.
If you face drug charges, it is important to know these penalty groups. Understanding the laws and potential consequences helps you build a strong defense.
Penalty groups
Possession, manufacture, or delivery of drugs can have lasting consequences that affect your employment, education and personal freedoms. Understanding the penalty groups for drug charges in Texas helps you make informed decisions about your case.
- Penalty Group 1 includes drugs like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. LSD and Fentanyl are in sub-categories of this penalty group.
- Penalty Group 2 concerns drugs like ecstasy, PCP, mescaline, bath salts and Adderall. The severity of the punishment depends on the amount possessed.
- Penalty Group 3 addresses drugs such as Ritalin, Xanax and anabolic steroids. Unlawful possession of these substances can lead to felony or misdemeanor charges, depending on the quantity.
- Penalty Group 4 involves drugs containing small amounts of narcotics, such as morphine or codeine. Typically, offenses related to these substances are less severe, resulting in lower-level felonies or misdemeanors.
- Penalty Group 5 covers substances with a lower potential for abuse, including cough medicines with codeine. Convictions related to these substances often result in misdemeanor charges.
Knowing the different penalty groups can help you protect your rights.
Potential punishments
The possible legal consequences of drug charges can be significant, depending on the amount and type of drug involved. Charges of Penalty Group 1 drugs are the most serious offenses. Convictions can lead to a lifetime jail sentence. Having less than one gram of these drugs can lead to a punishment of up to two years in state jail.
Convictions for possessing Penalty Group 2 or 3 substances have potential jail sentences of two to ten years. The punishments for drugs containing low quantities of narcotics can still be substantial, especially for repeat offenders.
In 2020, there were 88,651 narcotic-related arrests in Texas. When facing drug-related charges, take action to learn about your options as soon as possible.