Have you been accused of drug trafficking in McKinney, Texas? Texas Defense Firm can help protect your future when you call (972) 369-0577 to speak with a skilled McKinney drug trafficking lawyer. A conviction can carry devastating penalties, including long prison sentences, steep fines, and lasting damage to your record. Contact us for a free consultation.
Our attorneys bring decades of combined trial experience and understand the strategies prosecutors use to pursue these cases. When your freedom and reputation are on the line, you need an advocate who will challenge the evidence, protect your rights, and fight for the best possible outcome.
Why Choose Texas Defense Firm To Help Me if I’ve Been Accused of Drug Trafficking in McKinney?
When you are facing drug trafficking charges in McKinney, Texas, having a trusted legal team on your side makes all the difference. At Texas Defense Firm, our attorneys bring a proven record of dedication and results to cases involving serious charges.
Here are a few reasons clients turn to us for representation:
- Our legal team brings more than 200 years of combined experience to every case we handle.
- We are seasoned trial lawyers, including board-certified specialists and former prosecutors, who have experience on both sides of the courtroom.
- Our attorneys have earned recognition from respected organizations, including Super Lawyers and Expertise.com.
- We are active leaders in the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) and other professional groups, staying at the forefront of developments in criminal defense law.
- We have deep roots in Collin County and a reputation for excellence throughout the state of Texas.
You deserve counsel that understands both the law and the local community. Contact us today to schedule a meeting with a McKinney criminal defense attorney.
What Is Drug Trafficking in Texas?
Drug trafficking refers to the manufacture, distribution, or delivery of controlled substances. Under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, prosecutors must prove that a person knowingly delivered or intended to deliver an illegal drug.
What Does Drug Trafficking Include?
Drug trafficking charges can apply whether the alleged offense involves:
- Manufacturing controlled substances
- Transporting drugs for sale
- Selling, distributing, or delivering narcotics
- Possessing large amounts of controlled substances with the intent to distribute
Commonly trafficked substances in McKinney include cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, prescription medications, and marijuana.
Controlled Substances and Their Penalty Groups
Texas law divides drugs into Penalty Groups, and sentencing increases with higher quantities and more dangerous classifications. Penalty groups include:
- Penalty Group 1: This group includes controlled substances such as ketamine, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and other opiates.
- Penalty Group 1-A: This group includes controlled substances like LSD.
- Penalty Group 1-B: This group includes controlled substances like fentanyl and its derivatives.
- Penalty Group 2: This group includes controlled substances like PCP, mescaline, ecstasy, psilocybin, and synthetic cannabinoids.
- Penalty Group 3: This group includes controlled substances like oxycodone, benzodiazepines, peyote, anabolic steroids, and certain barbiturates. It also includes drugs containing hydrocodone.
- Penalty Group 4: This group includes controlled substances like cough medications containing codeine of 200 milligrams per 100 grams.
Understanding how these groups are classified is essential, as the category a drug falls into directly impacts the charges you face and the penalties a conviction could bring.
What Are the Penalties for Drug Trafficking in McKinney, Texas?
The penalties for drug trafficking in McKinney vary widely depending on the type and amount of substance involved, as well as the specific circumstances of the case. Texas law treats drug offenses with exceptional seriousness, meaning even lower-level charges can carry lasting consequences.
Depending on what offense you are charged with, you could face:
- Class C misdemeanor: A fine of up to $500.
- Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days of jail time and/or a $2,000 fine.
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail and/or a $4,000 fine.
- State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years in state jail and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
- Third-degree felony: 2 to 10 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
- Second-degree felony: 2 to 20 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
- First-degree felony: 5 to 99 years (or life) in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
Collateral consequences can include losing your driver’s license, difficulties finding employment, and restrictions on housing and education opportunities.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Accused of Drug Trafficking?
Being charged with drug trafficking does not automatically mean you will be convicted. Depending on the facts of the case, several defenses may be available, including:
- Illegal search and seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment.
- Lack of intent to distribute, such as when drugs were for personal use only.
- Insufficient evidence or unreliable witness testimony.
- Entrapment, if law enforcement induced the crime.
- Mistaken identity or lack of possession.
- Errors in lab testing or the chain of custody that call evidence into question.
Every case is unique, and a strong defense strategy begins with examining the prosecution’s evidence for weaknesses that can be challenged in court.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help if You’ve Been Accused of Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking cases are taken very seriously in Texas, and the stakes can be high. A criminal defense attorney can provide critical support by:
- Investigating whether police violated your rights during an arrest or search.
- Challenging the legality of traffic stops, search warrants, or seizures.
- Cross-examining law enforcement officers and forensic experts.
- Negotiating with prosecutors for reduced charges or alternative sentencing.
- Building a trial-ready defense strategy tailored to the facts of the case.
Having an advocate who understands both the law and the courtroom process can make a significant difference in how your case is resolved.
Schedule a Case Review With Our Drug Trafficking Defense Lawyer
At Texas Defense Firm, we know how much is at stake if you are facing drug trafficking charges in McKinney, Texas. These cases carry some of the harshest penalties under Texas law, and a conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. The stakes are too high to face alone.
An experienced McKinney drug trafficking lawyer can help you understand your options, challenge the prosecution’s case, and fight for your future. Contact us today to schedule a confidential case review and begin building your defense.