Legal Consequences
Legal Consequences
Possessing controlled or illicit substances in the state of Texas is considered a crime, which is punishable by a fine, imprisonment or both.
Penalties for illegal drug possession in Texas typically fall under the following categories (in order from least to most severe):
Class C misdemeanor — fines of up to $500
Class B misdemeanor — jail sentences of up to 180 days and/or fines of up to $2,000
Class A misdemeanor — jail sentences of 180 days to 1 year and/or fines of up to $4,000
State jail felony — jail confinement of 180 days to 2 years and/or fines of up to $10,000
3rd-degree felony — federal prison sentence of 2 to 10 years and/or fines of up to $10,000
2nd-degree felony— federal prison sentences of 2 to 20 years and/or fines of up to $10,000
1st-degree felony — federal prison confinement of 5 to 99 years and/or fines between $50,000 and $250,000
First-time offenses involving possession of a controlled substance Texas may or may not involve a lenient punishment. In all group classifications of illegal drugs, the court may increase an individual’s penalty if the possession occurred in drug-free zones. These areas include being within 1,000 feet of an elementary or secondary school or a daycare facility.