Fort Worth Drug Trafficking & Distribution Lawyer

If you’re convicted, a drug distribution charge could seriously impact your life. To learn how to avoid a conviction or have your charges reduced, call a Fort Worth drug distribution attorney at our office.

Trafficking, selling, and transporting drugs are all very serious crimes in Texas. Even the lightest sentence can get you jail time, a hefty fine, and a felony on your record. All drug trafficking crimes are felonies, which is why it’s so important to fight a conviction.

A Fort Worth drug distribution lawyer from our office can fight to have your charges dropped or considerably reduced. A felony on your record will impact your entire life, and if you already have prior offenses, you could be looking at serious prison time if you’re convicted of a repeat offense.

What Are The Penalties for Intent to Distribute in Fort Worth?

As with most crimes, the penalties for drug distribution will depend on several factors, such as:

• Your age
• Your criminal history
• The amount of a drug in your possession
• Which schedule of drugs you’re accused of possessing
• Whether you involved a minor in the commission of the offense

See the table below for a basic idea of penalties for drug distribution in Fort Worth:

Distribution of Controlled Substances

• Minimum punishment: state jail felony, confinement in state jail for between 180 days and two years, fine of up to $10,000
• Maximum punishment: felony, confinement in prison for life or between fifteen and ninety-nine years, fine of no more than $250,000

Delivery of Marijuana

• Minimum punishment: state jail felony, confinement in state jail between 180 days and two years, fine of up to $2,000
• Maximum punishment: felony, confinement in prison for life or between ten and ninety-nine years, fine of no more than $100,000

How Can I Defend Against Fort Worth Drug Trafficking or Distribution Convictions?

There’s no doubt about it—being convicted of transporting drugs can lead to some serious legal penalties. If convicted, you will most likely spend time in jail or prison, you will face a large fine, and your criminal record will be forever marred. Still, there are always ways to avoid a conviction or have your charges reduced.

Many prosecutors will allow you to plead to a lesser charge in exchange for information on a higher-priority case, for example. Here are some of the possible defenses your lawyer could use, depending on the details of your Fort Worth drug distribution case:

• Lack of knowledge that you were transporting drugs
• Mistake of fact
• Duress (being forced to transport drugs under threat)
• Police errors
• Lab errors
• You intended to use the drugs, not distribute them

What’s the Difference Between Drug Distribution and Trafficking?

Understanding this will help you know what’s at stake when faced with either of these charges.

The most obvious difference between drug distribution and trafficking is the latter is concerned with the weight of the drugs, while distribution deals with the movement of drugs.

Drug distribution involves either the importation, transportation, or sale of controlled substances as classified by the government. A police officer could charge you with intent to distribute if they find a large amount of money or drugs in your possession.

A trafficking charge occurs when illegal drugs surpass a particular weight, whether in manufacturing, movement, or just possession.

Both charges are serious and penalties may be a fine in hundreds of thousands of dollars or a jail term ranging from 180 days to a life sentence.

How Can An Attorney Help Me Beat a Drug Trafficking or Distribution Charge?

Yes, it is possible to fight drug distribution and trafficking charges to avoid conviction. Depending on the charge, your drug crime lawyer could use the legal defenses below to keep you out of jail or reduce your charge.

• You were not in physical possession of the drugs.
• You were not aware of what you were moving or holding were drugs.
• A piece of evidence regarding your case is missing.
• The police violated a search or seizure warrant during the arrest.
• The crime lab technician made an error.
• The items were not intended for human consumption.

As you can see, there are many approaches an experienced lawyer can use to fight your drug distribution or trafficking charge.

The Texas state laws are unforgiving when it comes to drug charges like distribution and trafficking. But this does not mean it’s impossible to get your distribution or trafficking charge dropped off entirely or reduced when you have a strong defense.

You can avoid incarceration and hefty fines by discussing your trafficking or distribution case with a lawyer from the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy. We understand what’s at stake and are dedicated to building you the strongest possible defense.

Speak to us by dialing 817-605-1010 or completing our online form and get a free case review.