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Houston Lawyer Blog
Tag Archive for drug crimes
Virtually all drug charge convictions bear severe consequences, but the state of Texas makes every effort to crack down on drug manufacture cases. From meth laboratories to marijuana grow houses, in the event you or a loved one faces criminal charges surrounding the cultivation of drugs; you need to speak to the Finest Houston Attorney at the Charles Johnson Law Firm prior to taking any sort of legal action on your own.
The Top Houston Drug Crimes Attorney Charles Johnson will have many years of experience protecting the accused within the courts throughout Texas and is going to be willing to respond to your questions and reduce the damages facing you following your drug manufacture arrest.
When you initially step into their office, the Top Houston Drug Crimes Attorney at the Charles Johnson Law Firm will talk about your case, talk about what happened, and how the criminal charges you face might be affected by a prior criminal record. Listening to your side of the story, they’ll help you explore any and all potential defenses.
Understanding your side of the story is important. They will tell you about the court in which your charges are being heard. In all instances, they will want to hear your side of the story before beginning to fully evaluate your choices.
Hire The Recommended Houston Drug Crimes Attorney at the Charles Johnson Law Firm
Texas defense attorneys see many drug distribution cases due to the sheer volume of interstate highway traffic. Sadly, it’s all-too-easy to move drugs along the interstate highway system in all directions. In particular within the Houston area, our law enforcement officers have noticed patterns when searching for drug traffickers. It is common for vehicles to be stopped along northbound interstates and for big amounts of drugs to be found. When suspect automobiles are stopped heading southbound, big amounts of currency are occasionally found. Whether the criminal arrest will be sale, distribution, or drug trafficking depends upon the kind and also the amount of drugs in question. However the difference you face in penalties is substantial.
A first degree felony drug conviction usually results in a minimum five-year prison term, but in large-scale drug manufacturing or drug distribution cases, jail terms can jump to a minimum of 15 years.
If excessively big sums of U.S. currency are found inside your vehicle (or perhaps a vehicle you are riding in), you may face charges of money laundering. Amazingly, the penalties at the federal level for possessing big amounts of money are similarly severe to those for possessing big amounts of drugs.
You might also discover yourself dealing with conspiracy charges, something federal prosecutors might add on to drug crime cases.
The Recommended Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Charles Johnson will have handled numerous state and federal drug cases in Texas courts, from drug manufacturing cases involving meth laboratories and marijuana grow houses to international drug trafficking. No case is too big or complicated for their firm to handle.
Seizure of Assets
Law enforcement officers doing drug interdiction work have the legal right to seize assets that had been utilized in furtherance of a criminal offense or purchased using the proceeds of criminal activity. This indicates they not only confiscate drugs; they also seize money, cars, boats, various other personal property and even real estate. The police or law enforcement agency is able to then sell the assets and keep the proceeds or just keep the property altogether for their own purposes. This is especially typical with vehicles.
Asset forfeiture sometimes goes too far, with the police taking property that doesn’t belong to anybody charged with the criminal offense, property and assets that in fact belongs to totally innocent family members or third parties. The Most Dedicated Houston Drug Crimes Attorney at the Charles Johnson Law Firm handles asset forfeiture cases, helping customers fight to recover seized assets .
Creating Your Drug Manufacture Defense
Most drug manufacturing criminal charges, whether they involve marijuana or methamphetamines, are heard in state court. Quite often, marijuana grow houses and meth houses are discovered following informants report activities to the authorities.
If you have been turned in by a third party, the Best Houston Drug Crimes Attorney at the Charles Johnson Law Firm will attack the reliability of the source. Nevertheless, in every case the quality of the evidence is different. That is why we analyze possible actions on a case-by-case basis.
Contact the Recommended Houston Drug Crimes Attorney Charles Johnson for a free consultation. They’ll fight hard to protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Charles Johnson |
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| Tags: court, crime, Crimes, criminal defense lawyer, currency, defense attorneys, drug charge, drug crimes, drug distribution, drug traffickers, enforcement, highway, highway traffic, houston attorney, houston criminal defense lawyer, interstate highway system, Manufacturing, meth, state, vehicle 
Hire the Recommended Houston Attorney!
Drug crimes are covered by both federal and state laws in Texas. Federal offenses are regulated by The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, referred to as the Controlled Substances Act.
The Controlled Substances Act covers nearly all of the drug offenses in Texas and is codified within the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 481 through 486. Since Texas is an international border state, drug traffic offenses are a main concern. The state of Texas also has a number of state drug laws which may not be applicable in other states.
What are the penalties for a drug conviction in Texas?
Drug offenses are among the most serious charges in criminal law. They carry with them severe penalties and can have other consequences in areas of one’s life like family life and employment. The legal penalties for drug crimes will depend on the nature of the drug offense, and will generally consist of a fine and/or a lengthy prison sentence. If you are charged with a drug related crime, you’ll need to contact the Best Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer at the Charles Johnson Law Firm as soon as possible. The penalties for committing a drug crime may be fairly severe, including actual prison time, occasionally for numerous years in bigger high profile drug instances. A conviction for a drug-related offense could not just damage your personal and professional reputation, but could result in actual termination from employment or the suspension or revocation of your professional licenses. It is not whether or not you’ll acquire a lawyer, rather, it is who you will get to represent you at your most vulnerable time.
What kinds of factors are considered in sentences for drug crimes?
In determining the sentence for a drug crime, a Texas court will take into account the following elements:
- The type of drug: The Controlled Substances Act classifies drugs into 5 “Penalty Groups”, with Group 1 being probably the most serious. For instance, cocaine is classified as Penalty Group 1, whereas prescription drugs are Group three.
- The amount of drugs in possession: Prison sentences or fines will increase based on the quantity of drug possessed. Greater amounts of the exact same drug will result in higher sentences.
- The purpose for which the drug is used: Simple possession is generally regarded as less severe than other crimes, such as possession with intent to distribute, or manufacturing and delivering drugs
- Location of the violation: Drug offenses are considered more severe if they take place in certain areas, for example near a school or day care center
Another essential factor that a court will consider is whether the drug offense was combined with another offense. Numerous drug offenses are related to other crimes like conspiracy, theft, or assault. If the drug offense is related to another felony, particularly a violent crime, the penalties will be more severe.
Do I need a lawyer for a drug offense?
Drug offenses are severe and can lead to felony charges. Therefore, the services of Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Charles Johnson may be crucial when dealing with drug charges. This is particularly accurate if the defendant is involved in multiple or repeat offenses. An skilled Houston Lawyer can assist explain the various requirements under Texas drug laws. If you or perhaps a family members member is charged with a crime in the Houston area, contact us for a totally free consultation with a successful criminal defense lawyer. We can offer compassionate legal counsel, accessibility and personal attention, years of encounter, and aggressive protection of your rights.
Charles Johnson |
2 comments
| Tags: comprehensive drug abuse prevention, controlled substances act, criminal defense lawyer, drug abuse prevention, drug charges, drug conviction, drug crime, drug crimes, drug offense, drug offenses, drug traffic, federal offenses, houston attorney, houston criminal defense lawyer, houston lawyer, lengthy prison sentence, professional reputation, texas health and safety code
The illegal sale or use of prescription drugs can certainly result in severe criminal charges. If you have been arrested for a forged prescription or the unlawful possession of a prescription drug, you want a highly skilled criminal defense lawyer protecting your rights and fighting for you in court.
At the Houston Charles Johnson Law Firm, our trial attorney has many years of practical experience dealing with numerous drug crimes involving prescription drugs. Available at any hour, 7 days a week, we are ready to answer your questions and build your defense.
Anyone can certainly be hooked on prescription drugs. A number of our clients started out taking their drugs for medical reasons, but grew to be addicted. When their prescriptions ran out, they obtained the drugs by other means. Serving satisfied customers throughout Texas, our firm recognizes the penalties of a criminal conviction for average, everyday men and women. We can help you battle any sort of of the following charges:
- Prescription Forgery
- Sale of Prescription Drugs
- Prescription Fraud
- Illegal Possession of Prescription Drugs
The primary goal in each prescription drug case is to prevent a prison sentence. We shall help you discover alternative sentencing options, that include entering a drug treatment center. You will likely be in need of rehabilitation, certainly not a jail sentence. Looking forward, we are going to help you receive the assistance you might need.
Although the majority of prescription drug court cases involve painkillers, we handle criminal charges involving a wide range of drugs, for a wide range of clients, including minors. If your case involves any of the following prescription drugs or others, we can help:
- Adderall
- Ritalin
- Vicodin
- OxyContin
- Xanax
- Valium
- Soma
- Seroquel
Abuse and the unlawful sale of prescription drugs, significantly painkillers including Oxycodone and OxyContin, is a growing criminal charge being vigorously charged and prosecuted across the state of Texas. A popular and quite often easily accessible narcotic, prescription drug offenses carry with them the same kinds of severe penalties as various other illegal sale, trafficking, distribution and use offenses.
It is quite often students and under-30 men who are most commonly charged with abuse of prescription drugs. At the Charles Johnson Law Firm we have represented valued clientele in Houston and nearby communities for quite some time. Our lawyer offers personalized attention to each individual client to develop a powerful defense depending on the unique circumstances of your situation.
Act In your Defense
Prescription pain medication is popular. No doubt the majority of medicine cabinets across the Houston area have some kind of prescription drug unlocked and very easily accessible. But, even doing something as simple as offering a few Oxycodone, OxyContin, Valium or Xanax pills to some close friends at a social gathering could potentially result in a major criminal record and even prison time.
Our expert criminal defense lawyer provides the advantage of many years of working experience working exclusively in criminal defense. We have expertly handled a wide range of drug cases. Rely on us to battle your prescription drug criminal charges involving:
- Possession
- Sales
- Distribution
- Trafficking
- Prescription fraud
- Doctor shopping
Houston Criminal Lawyer Charles Johnson has worked with folks from virtually all walks of life, including students, blue-collar workers and executives. Attorney Johnson has built his reputation on the foundation of his dedication to getting results and meeting the needs of our individuals.
Prescription Fraud
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that close to twenty percent of Americans have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes at some point in their lives. But with the increased trafficking of prescription drugs online, the shocking increase in senior citizen trafficking of prescription drugs, and the high incidence of overdoses by users of illegally attained prescription drugs, prosecution is increasing and sentences are quite often just as harsh as those imposed for the distribution of illegal drugs. Trafficking statutes don’t discriminate: doctors and pharmacists are arrested for unlawful trafficking in prescription drugs, and so are the social-security-dependent elderly who trade painkillers for cash to pay for various other medications not supplied by Medicare or to pay the electric bill.
Houston Prescription Drug Possession/Sales Defense Attorney: The Charles Johnson Law Firm
Possession or distribution, prescription or "street" drugs, drug-related criminal charges are serious business. The potential for mandatory minimum prison sentences – sometimes ten years or more for fairly minor offenses – along with license suspensions, lengthy and restrictive terms of probation, mandatory drug treatment, hefty fines, taxes, forfeiture of property and assets, and limitations on future employment prospects, means that you ought to fully understand your liberties and options before you take any sort of action at all. The clock is ticking on the limitations period for filing certain defenses and requests for information.
Take charge of your case now. Talk to Houston Lawyer Charles Johnson now. A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer will undoubtedly be able to explain exactly what sort of penalties you could very well be facing, and assess your case for potential defenses. Call right now for a no charge, no obligation consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who will be able to guide you through this hard time.
Charles Johnson |
4 comments
| Tags: alternative sentencing, criminal charges, criminal conviction, criminal defense lawyer, drug case, drug crimes, everyday men, illegal possession, jail sentence, medical reasons, oxycodone, oxycontin, prescription drugs, prescription forgery, prescription fraud, protecting your rights, seroquel, trial attorney, unlawful possession, xanax valium
The government is leading a well funded fight against drugs that measures its victory by the quantity of arrests made and the size of drug busts. The popularity of drugs leads many people to think of drug crimes as modest offenses. Drug manufacturing charges are pursued very seriously at both the federal and state level. If the quantity is sufficient, you might even find yourself in jail.
Federal convictions carry severe required prison sentences established on Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Moreover, under federal law, you will likely be required to carry out 85% to 90% of your sentencing time without having the probability of parole. Federal agents are experts in employing high pressure tactics to acquire confessions and negotiate plea bargains that can certainly land you in prison. Most states have minimum sentencing guidelines which include jail time for drug manufacturing, possession, trafficking and distribution.
Even a simple marijuana "manufacturing" (growing) charge might lead to a criminal record which makes it very difficult to obtain a good job. While some may perhaps view drug use as a "victimless criminal offense", the government views drug manufacturing and use as a strong contributor to violent crime. Even if the charge is initially handled by your state, it can easily be handed to federal authorities. A serious concern if you are facing drug manufacturing criminal charges is whether or not the federal government is involved. Do not underestimate the severity of drug manufacturing charges. The federal government has an entire agency whose objective is to acquire drug convictions, including convictions for drug manufacturing.
Serious Charges Require Serious Defensive Strategy
Our willingness to fight drug manufacturing criminal charges no matter the expense to us has generated exceptional results for our satisfied clientele. Our familiarity with the state and federal criminal process will work to your great advantage in battling this variety of case. At the Charles Johnson Law Firm, you will find there’s a great deal of experience in addressing drug criminal charges, including drug manufacturing charges. Early intervention is important to obtaining the best results.
If you or a loved one be fighting drug manufacturing charges, please do not be reluctant to give us a call right now for a free of charge, confidential initial consultation. One of the secrets to our accomplishment is the vast team of specialists we have at our disposal to battle overzealous prosecutors at all levels of the government.
Houston Drug Manufacture/Sales Defense Lawyer: The Charles Johnson Law Office
In all cases, we would like to hear your side of the story before we begin to fully evaluate your options.
We are ready to respond to your questions and minimize the damages contending with you following your drug manufacture charge. Understanding your side of the story is essential.
At the Charles Johnson Law Firm in Houston, Texas, our attorney has a great deal of expertise protecting the arrested in the courts throughout Texas. From meth labs to marijuana grow houses, in the event you or possibly a loved one faces charges surrounding the cultivation of drugs; you will need to speak with an experienced trial criminal defense attorney before you take any type of legal action all by yourself. Paying attention to your side of the story, we will help you examine any and all potential defenses. When you first step into our Houston law office, we will discuss your case, go over what happened, and how the charges you face could possibly be affected by a prior criminal record. We are going to tell you about the court in which your criminal charges will be heard. All drug charge convictions carry severe penalties, but the state of Texas makes every effort to crack down on drug manufacture court cases.
Building Your Drug Manufacture Defense
Our method of defending drug crime charges is successful because we aggressively defend our clients’ rights. Most drug manufacture criminal charges, whether or not they involve marijuana or methamphetamines, are heard in state court. Contact us right now so we can help select the approach which is right in your case. Quite often, marijuana grow houses and meth houses are identified after informants report activities to the authorities. However, in every case the quality of evidence differs.
Should you have been turned in by a third party, we will attack the reliability of the source. That is why we analyze potential actions on a case-by-case basis.
Charles Johnson |
20 comments
| Tags: confessions, criminal charges, criminal offense, criminal record, defensive strategy, drug arrest, drug convictions, drug crimes, drug use, federal agents, federal authorities, federal convictions, federal sentencing guidelines, government views, houston criminal lawyer, jail time, plea bargains, pressure tactics, prison sentences, violent crime
Are you facing charges of intent to distribute cocaine? Are you worried about your teenager who was caught using drugs at school? Have you been arrested for possession of marijuana?
We can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For aggressive representation from an experienced drug charge defense lawyer, contact our Houston law office to schedule a free initial consultation. At the Charles Johnson Law Firm, you will find a drug crimes defense attorney who has over a decade of experience protecting the rights of people facing state or federal drug charges.
Aggressive Drug Charge Defense Representation
If you are under investigation or have already been arrested for a drug-related crime, criminal defense attorney Charles Johnson can help. Attorney Johnson is proficient at representation in pre-arrest negotiations, in plea bargain settlements, at trial and on appeal in state and federal drug crime cases.
We represent individuals facing state or federal drug crime charges involving the manufacture, distribution, sale, or possession of illegal drugs, controlled substances, chemicals used in the illicit production of controlled substances (running a meth lab), and drug paraphernalia. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana, methaqualone, morphine, phencyclidine (PCP), crack cocaine, methadone, methamphetamine, Anabolic steroids, codeine and/or hydrocodone with aspirin, Valium®, and Xanax® are examples of controlled substances the manufacture, distribution, or possession of which can result in serious state or federal drug crime charges. The Charles Johnson Law Firm strives to ensure that our clients’ rights are protected throughout the entire case.
Drug Possession Charges
At the Charles Johnson Law Firm, we are prepared to defend drug charges in court. Don’t let drug charges ruin your future.
When possible, we work to get drug arrests removed from our client’s criminal record through expunction. For high school students, whether charged as an adult or a juvenile, possession of even a very small amount of a drug such as marijuana can result in lost educational opportunities, including attendance at the student’s college of choice or the ability to go to college at all because of student loan ineligibility based on a drug crime conviction. A teenage drug conviction can also result in lost employment opportunities, including ineligibility for certain jobs or future career advancement. In Texas, possession of an illegal drug or a controlled substance can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending upon the type and amount of drugs involved. If a plea bargain is in our client’s best interests, we will work hard to get the best deal possible.
Motion to Revoke Probation (MTR)
If you are facing a probation revocation because of a probation violation, we can help. We understand that there are often psychological issues, such as bipolar disorder, underlying many drug problems, and we work on getting you the treatment you need and probation, reinstatement or termination instead of prison time.
Houston Drug Charges Defense: The Charles Johnson Law Firm
When you are facing an arrest and possible conviction for a drug crime, your future is on the line. To learn how we can help defend you against drug charges, contact our skilled Houston, Texas criminal defense lawyer today for a free initial consultation.
Charles Johnson |
5 comments
| Tags: aggressive representation, anabolic steroids, clients rights, crack cocaine, crime cases, criminal defense attorney, defense lawyer, defense representation, drug arrests, drug crime, drug crimes, drug paraphernalia, drug possession charges, expunction, federal drug charges, free initial consultation, high school students, illicit production, plea bargain, possession of marijuana
Drug crimes are covered by both federal and state laws in Texas. Federal offenses are regulated by The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, known as the Controlled Substances Act.
The Controlled Substances Act covers nearly all of the drug offenses in Texas and is codified in the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 481 through 486. Since Texas is an international border state, drug traffic offenses are a major concern. The state of Texas also has several state drug laws which may not be applicable in other states.
What are the penalties for a drug conviction in Texas?
Drug offenses are among the most serious charges in criminal law. They carry with them severe penalties and can have other consequences in areas of one’s life such as family life and employment. The legal penalties for drug crimes will depend on the nature of the drug offense, and will usually include a fine and/or a lengthy prison sentence.
If you are charged with a drug related crime, you need to contact Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Charles Johnson as soon as possible. The penalties for committing a drug crime can be quite severe, including actual prison time, sometimes for many years in larger high profile drug cases. A conviction for a drug-related offense could not only damage your personal and professional reputation, but could result in actual termination from employment or the suspension or revocation of your professional licenses. It’s not whether you will acquire a lawyer, rather, it’s who you will get to represent you at your most vulnerable time.
What types of factors are considered in sentences for drug crimes?
In determining the sentence for a drug crime, a Texas court will consider the following factors:
- The type of drug: The Controlled Substances Act classifies drugs into 5 “Penalty Groups”, with Group 1 being the most serious. For example, cocaine is classified as Penalty Group 1, whereas prescription drugs are Group 3.
- The amount of drugs in possession: Prison sentences or fines will increase according to the amount of drug possessed. Greater amounts of the same drug will result in higher sentences.
- The purpose for which the drug is used: Simple possession is usually considered less severe than other crimes, such as possession with intent to distribute, or manufacturing and delivering drugs
- Location of the violation: Drug offenses are considered more severe if they take place in certain areas, such as near a school or day care center
- Another important factor that a court will consider is whether the drug offense was combined with another offense. Many drug offenses are related to other crimes such as conspiracy, theft, or assault. If the drug offense is related to another felony, especially a violent crime, the penalties will be more severe.
Do I need a lawyer for a drug offense?
Drug offenses are serious and can lead to felony charges. Therefore, the services of a competent criminal attorney can be crucial when dealing with drug charges. This is especially true if the defendant is involved in multiple or repeat offenses. An experienced lawyer can help explain the various requirements under Texas drug laws.
If you or a family member is charged with a crime in the Houston area, contact Attorney Johnson for a free consultation with a successful criminal defense lawyer. My practice is limited to criminal law. I can offer compassionate legal counsel, accessibility and personal attention, years of experience, and aggressive protection of your rights.
If you are charged with possession of drugs, either for personal use or with intent to sell, Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Charles Johnson can determine which defenses might apply to your case should you plead not guilty. Different states approach the problem of illicit drugs in different ways, while the federal government tends to have the toughest drug sentencing guidelines. But drug possession defenses are fairly universal across state lines. Some defenses challenge the stated facts, testimony or evidence in the case, while others target procedural errors, often search and seizure violations.
Here are some defenses to drug possession charges, some more common than others:
Unlawful Search and Seizure
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to due process of law, including lawful search and seizure procedures prior to an arrest. Search and seizure issues are quite common in drug possession cases. Illicit drugs found in “plain view,” such as a car’s dashboard after a legal traffic stop, may be seized and used as evidence. But drugs found in the trunk of a car after prying it open with a crowbar, assuming the suspect did not give permission, cannot be entered into evidence. If the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights were violated, then the drugs cannot be used at trial and the charges typically are dismissed.
Drugs Belong to Someone Else
A common defense to any crime charge is to simply say you didn’t do it. The drug possession equivalent is to claim the drugs aren’t yours or that you had no idea they were in your apartment, for example. Houston Criminal Lawyer Charles Johnson will pressure prosecutors to prove that the joint found in the car actually belonged to his or her client and not one of the other three passengers.
Crime Lab Analysis
Just because it looks like cocaine or LSD doesn’t mean it necessarily is. The prosecution must prove that a seized substance is indeed the illicit drug it claims it is by sending the evidence to a crime lab for analysis. The crime lab analyst then must testify at trial in order for the prosecution to make its case.
Missing Drugs
Houston Drug Crimes Lawyer Charles Johnson will make sure prosecutors are able to produce the actual drugs for which their client is being charged. Similar to the need for crime lab analysis, prosecutors who lose or otherwise lack the actual drugs risk having their case dismissed. Seized drugs often get transferred several times before ending up in the evidence locker, so it should never be assumed that the evidence still exists during trial.
Drugs were Planted
This may be difficult to prove, since a police officer’s sworn testimony carries a lot of weight in the courtroom. Furthermore, other officers may be reluctant to blow the whistle on a fellow officer. But Attorney Johnson can file a motion that, if approved by the judge, requires the department to release the complaint file of the given officer. This file contains the names and contact of information of those who made the complaints, who can then be interviewed by Attorney Johnson or his private investigator.
Entrapment
While law enforcement officials are free to set up sting operations, entrapment occurs when officers or informants induce a suspect to commit a crime he or she otherwise may not have committed. If an informant pressures a suspect into passing drugs to a third party, for example, then this may be considered entrapment. As a rule of thumb, entrapment occurs where the state provides the drugs in question.
Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you are charged with any of these or another drug related crime you need to contact Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer Charles Johnson as soon as possible. The penalties for committing a drug crime can be quite severe, including actual prison time, sometimes for many years in larger high profile drug cases. A conviction for a drug-related offense could not only damage your personal and professional reputation, but could result in actual termination from employment or the suspension or revocation of your professional licenses. It’s not whether you will acquire a lawyer, rather, it’s who you will get to represent you at your most vulnerable time.
We can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call us at 713-222-7577 or toll free at 877-308-0100.
Major Credit Cards Accepted.
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