Collin County Marijuana Possession Attorneys
Were you arrested and charged with marijuana possession in Collin County? If so, don’t hesitate to contact the Collin County marijuana possession lawyers of Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian. We have extensive experience representing individuals who have been charged with marijuana-related crimes, and we will work hard to defend you against the charges you face. While most possession charges will be Class B misdemeanors, the authorities may seek to charge alleged offenders with a felony (depending on the circumstances), or might seek additional charges for paraphernalia, or more seriously, delivery of marijuana.
Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.002(26) defines marijuana as the plant Cannabis sativa L., regardless of whether it is growing, the seeds of that plant, and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of that plant or its seeds. Marijuana is known by other street names including pot, weed, bud, hydro, reefer, chronic, or ganja. Possession of marijuana is a criminal offense in Texas that may be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount of marijuana that was allegedly possessed.
If you were arrested for an alleged marijuana possession crime anywhere in the greater Collin County area, you are going to want to seek legal representation for help defending against the criminal charges. Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian is the only firm in Collin County with two Criminal Law Board Certified partners.
Our goal is to get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed. We can review your case as soon as you call (972) 369-0577 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation.
Do I Need A Marijuana Possession Lawyer?
Depending on the amount of marijuana that you are accused of possessing and other factors, you could be facing either a misdemeanor or felony charges. It will be crucial to hire an attorney with specific experience representing people charged with possession. Your lawyer will help you understand the charges you face, will evaluate your case and the evidence against you, and will advise you of your rights and legal options. They will work to get the best possible outcome, which means the result with the least impact on your freedom and your finances.
Prosecutors are rarely willing to plea bargain with an alleged offender who does not have legal counsel, so you are going to want to have an attorney who may be able to negotiate a reduction or dismissal of your criminal charges. The skilled and experienced criminal defense attorneys at Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian have successfully helped clients just like you facing these types of charges, and we’re ready to get to work on your case. Don’t hesitate to call us now and schedule a confidential consultation to discuss how we can help you.
Why Choose Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian To Handle My Case?
Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian is the largest criminal defense firm in Collin County. Because of our size, clients enjoy the benefit of multiple attorneys collaborating together on their case.
Founding Partner Jeremy Rosenthal is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Roughly 1 percent of attorneys are Board Certified.
Mr. Rosenthal is a former Assistant District Attorney in Collin County and the former Chief Prosecutor for County Court at Law Two. He has almost two decades of legal experience and is a Board Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He is also a member of the National College of DUI Defense and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Types of Marijuana Possession Cases We Handle
The Texas Controlled Substance Act § 481.121 establishes that a person commits the crime of possession of marihuana when they knowingly or intentionally possess any usable quantity of marijuana. Offenses are classified based on the amount allegedly possessed, so the crimes are classified as follows:
- Two ounces or less — Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
- Four ounces or less but more than 2 ounces — Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000.
- Five pounds or less but more than 4 ounces — State jail felony punishable by a minimum of 180 days up to two years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Fifty pounds or less but more than 5 pounds — Third-degree felony punishable by a minimum of two years up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Two thousand pounds or less but more than 50 pounds — Second-degree felony punishable by a minimum of two years up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- More than 2,000 pounds — First-degree felony punishable by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life or a minimum of five years up to 99 years and a fine of up to $50,000.
Marijuana possession crimes involving more significant amounts can lead to prosecutors alleging an intent to sell, which can complicate criminal charges and include enhanced penalties.
What are the laws and penalties regarding marijuana possession?
Here’s a Quick Guide:
| 2 ounces or less | Class B misdemeanor | Not more than 180 days in a county jail and/or a fine of not more than $2,000 |
| More than 2 ounces, but less than 4 ounces | Class A misdemeanor | Not more than 1 year in a county jail and/or a fine of not more than $4,000 |
| More than 4 ounces, but less than 5 pounds | State jail felony | 180 days to 2 years in a state jail and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 |
| More than 5 pounds, but less than 50 pounds | Third-degree felony | 2 to 10 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 |
| More than 50 pounds, but less than 2,000 | Second-degree felony | 2 to 20 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000 |
| More than 2,000 pounds | Enhanced first-degree felony | 5 to 99 years and a fine of not more than $50,000
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Frequently Asked Questions about Marijuana
Marijuana Possession Statistics
TxDPS reported that marijuana accounted for 50.4 percent of all drug possession arrests in 2017. Law officers in Texas seized 143,767 pounds, 13 ounces of marijuana in 2017, and 10,798 cannabis plants.
In April 2018, Salon reported that Texas “has long been the statewide leader in marijuana arrests” and 98 percent of the 64,949 cannabis-related arrests in 2016 were for simple possession. According to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), there were 61,233 arrests for marijuana in 2015 (59,658 of which were for possession as opposed to 1,475 for sales) and 67,584 arrests in 2014 (66,060 of which were for possession as opposed to 1,524 for sales).
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reported that 88 percent of the 8.2 million marijuana arrests between 2001 and 2010 were simply for having marijuana, and African Americans were 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana. The ACLU also reported that the numbers indicated that a person was arrested for marijuana possession every 37 seconds.
Contact a Collin County Marijuana Possession Attorney Today
Were you arrested for an alleged marijuana possession crime in Collin County? If so, politely refuse to speak to the authorities and instead ask to speak to a lawyer from Rosenthal Kalabus & Therrian. Our team understands the many complications that a marijuana arrest can have on your life, your work, and those you love, and we work to help our clients regain a sense of normalcy in their lives. Call (972) 369-0577 or contact us online to receive a free consultation.
