Arlington Drug Charges Defense Lawyer

Knowledgeable Defense Attorney for People Accused of Drug Charges in Arlington, Texas

If you are accused of carrying drugs, especially with the supposed intent to deliver them, you could face serious criminal charges. In some cases, a drug charge could even result in federal prosecution. An Arlington, TX drug charge defense attorney can fight to protect your rights in court, looking for ways to avoid a conviction or mitigate the seriousness of the offense.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we know how serious a charge of drug possession or distribution can be, and in any case, we fight hard to protect our clients from strict penalties. In past testimonials, Attorney Edwardo Meza has been praised for his diligence and careful strategy, having secured successful dismissals for serious offenses.

How Is Drug Possession Prosecuted in Arlington?

Under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, the severity of a drug possession charge depends on the substance's penalty group and the quantity in the defendant's control. Possession of a substance in Penalty Group 1 such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, or MDMA is prosecuted at minimum as a state jail felony, with increasing penalties for higher quantities.

Even small amounts of substances in Penalty Groups 2 through 4—such as LSD, PCP, or prescription opioids—can trigger felony charges. For certain low-level substances in Penalty Groups 3 and 4, very small amounts may be treated as a Class A misdemeanor for first offenders. In Arlington, prosecutors frequently pursue enhanced penalties when offenses occur near schools or parks, or when a defendant has prior drug convictions.

Fighting Drug Distribution Charges

Distribution charges are treated far more severely than simple possession. Possession with intent to deliver at least one gram of a Penalty Group 1 substance is a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years of imprisonment and fines up to $10,000. When quantities exceed certain thresholds, such as four or more grams of a drug in Penalty Group 1, charges can escalate to a first-degree felony with sentences up to life imprisonment. Drug manufacturing charges carry similar or harsher penalties and are often punished under the same statutes.

In addition, if authorities allege distribution across state lines or national borders, federal prosecutors may intervene under statutes like the Controlled Substances Act. Federal convictions can result in mandatory minimum sentences, asset forfeiture, and supervised release terms that can exceed state sentencing guidelines. Defendants facing distribution allegations must contend with both state and potential federal exposure, making swift and skilled legal intervention critical.

Possible Defense Strategies for Arlington Drug Charges

Whether you have been accused of drug distribution or possession, our firm can help you explore different defense strategies suited to the details of your case. Defense strategies for a possession or distribution charge may include:

• Demonstrate lack of actual or constructive possession by showing the drugs belonged to someone else or were not within your control
• Challenge the reliability of witness testimony or confidential informant credibility
• Seek suppression of evidence obtained through an unlawful search, seizure, or traffic stop in violation of the Fourth Amendment
• Attack the chain of custody for chemical analyses to raise doubts about testing accuracy or sample handling
• Argue lack of intent to deliver by emphasizing personal-use quantities, absence of packaging materials, scales, or distribution communications

Depending on the circumstances of your arrest, multiple of these strategies may be applicable to your case. We will keep your needs in mind as we pursue the best possible outcome, especially when negotiating with the prosecution.

Meet With an Arlington, TX Drug Charge Defense Attorney

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can help you take on charges involving the possession, distribution, or manufacturing of illegal substances. To set up a free consultation today, call our offices at 817-732-6392 or contact our Arlington drug crime defense lawyer.