Thousands of arrests are made throughout the state yearly for possession of controlled substances. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the consequences of a first-time conviction for drug possession. Young people, in particular college students, try to handle these cases themselves. They want to avoid their parents finding out that they have been charged with a crime.

Someone can have a severe negative impact on their future if they make a quick mistake in judgment or are in the wrong place at the wrong time. A criminal conviction can lead to you losing opportunities for jobs, graduate school, law school, or medical school. It can even lead to you being expelled or suspended from your college or university. If you are a student that has been arrested for a criminal offense or if you are the parent of a college student charged with a crime, your first order of business in such a situation should be to get legal representation. It is important to hire an attorney right away to learn about your legal options.

Common Defenses for Drug Possession

Common defenses for Texas drug crimes stem from improper searches and seizures. There are as well as issues that arise during the chain of custody of the evidence. There are a number of diversion programs in most counties. Those programs are for both first-time offenders and offenders who are ready to make a substantial change in their lives.

Any drug or marijuana conviction in the state of Texas will lead to a driver’s license suspension of 180 days. That means even paying a drug paraphernalia ticket will get your license suspended. You must take a state-certified drug offender program, which is a 15-hour in-person class, to get your license reinstated after it has been suspended.

If you have a criminal drug possession charge call our office to schedule a free consultation. Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian is Collin County’s largest criminal defense firm. We are the only firm in Collin County with two partners board certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Both partners are former state criminal prosecutors and head a firm of seven lawyers who have dedicated their practice to the defense of individuals charged with criminal offenses.