If you have been charged with a drug crime in Texas, you can end up with a misdemeanor or felony on your record.
Felonies are considered much more serious than misdemeanor offenses. Felonies have harsher punishments. They can also affect you for the rest of your life—even after you complete your prison sentence and pay off fines. The burden of a felony conviction means you may have a lot of trouble finding a job, receiving federal assistance, being able to vote, running for office, and even traveling to a foreign country. It is an awful label that can truly ruin your life.
Whether or not you are charged with a felony for drug possession will depend on the type of drug and how much of it you are alleged to have had. There are exceptions to these penalties, especially if you've already been convicted of a drug charge and this is your second or third time in court. Here's generally the type of penalties you will be looking at for different felony drug convictions:
- State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail and/or a fine of not more than $10,000
- Third-degree felony: 2 to 10 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000
- Second-degree felony: 2 to 20 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000
- First-degree felony: 5 to 99 years in a state prison and/or a fine of not more than $10,000
- Enhanced first-degree felony: 5 to 99 years in a state prison and a fine of not more than $250,000
Again, if you are charged with a drug crime, a felony conviction will depend on the type of drug and how much was found. Enhanced-first degree felony punishments vary greatly depending on the type and amount of drug, but the other types of felony punishments remain the same.
If you have been arrested for a drug crime in Waco, you have no time to waste. Call 254-296-0020 today to schedule a FREE case consultation with attorney Walter Reaves.
