In: Drug Crimes

Penalties for Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs in Texas

Texas law has many charges related to prescription drugs. Texas also has some of the harshest drug possession laws in the country. If you were arrested for unlawful possession of prescription drugs, you need to speak with a skilled drug crime defense lawyer immediately.

An experienced attorney will help you understand the criminal penalties associated with charges related to prescription drugs. You need a Denton drug possession attorney to defend you against the charges in your case to help you avoid going to jail and reduce the sentence.

Types of Prescription Drug Crimes in Texas

Most prescription drug crimes in the state of Texas can be broken down into two types:

  • Illegally obtaining prescription drugs; and
  • Unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

Let’s take a closer look at these two classifications.

Illegally Obtaining Prescription Drugs

In most cases, when a person is charged for illegally obtaining prescription drugs, their criminal case involves allegations of some forms of fraud. Some charges related to illegally acquiring prescription drugs include but are not limited to:

  • Providing false information in documentation when attempting to obtain a prescription drug;
  • Obtaining controlled substances from a doctor when doing so is not medically necessary;
  • Obtaining a prescription drug by misrepresentation; and
  • Using prescription drugs issued to another person.

Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs

Charges related to illegal possession of prescription drugs include:

  • Using a fake or invalid registration number when manufacturing, prescribing, or distributing controlled substances;
  • Distributing controlled substances without the necessary order form;
  • Using an invalid prescription form; and
  • Diverting controlled substances to your own use or unlawful use for someone else.

If you were arrested for any of these prescription drug crimes in Texas, it is essential to contact a drug crime defense attorney as soon as possible.

What are the penalties for unlawful possession of prescription drugs?

Like all other controlled substances, prescription drugs fall into one of the four penalty groups outlined in the Texas Controlled Substances Act. As a result, penalties for unlawful possession of a prescription drug depend on the drug’s classification.

Penalties depend not only on the penalty group designation but also the weight of the drug found in your possession. Penalties for unlawful possession of prescription drugs range from six months to two years in jail and fines of up to $50,000 (for at least 400 grams of the illicit prescription drug).

Contact a Denton Drug Possession Lawyer

If you were arrest for unlawful possession of a prescription drug in Denton or other parts of Texas, it is essential to contact a skilled crime possession attorney to help you identify the most appropriate defense strategy for your case:

  • You did not know that you were in possession of a controlled substance;
  • You thought the prescription drug was obtained and possessed legally;
  • You did not intend to consume, distribute, or sell the drug;
  • You have a valid prescription from a doctor;
  • You did not have a sufficient quantity to charge you with a crime; or
  • Your constitutional rights were violated during the arrest.

Speak with our criminal defense lawyers at the Law Office of Brent D. Bowen, PLLC, to review your unique case and determine the best defense strategy for your circumstances. Call at (940) 222-2488 for a case review.