What Are The Penalties Associated With Drug Convictions In Texas?

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The only penalty common to all drug convictions in Texas is that your driver’s license is suspended for six months until you take a drug offender education course.

As for jail time and fine amounts, check the following tables. There are numerous enhancements that the state can use to enhance punishment above these levels (such as possession in a school zone or delivery to a child), so these tables should be used only as a guideline.

Class B misdemeanor: up to 180 days in the county jail and a $2,000 fine
Class A misdemeanor: up to 1 year in the county jail and a $4,000 fine
State jail felony: 180 days – 2 years in the state jail and up to a $10,000 fine
3rd-degree felony: 2 – 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine
2nd-degree felony: 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine
1st-degree felony: 5 years – life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine

Possession of Marijuana

AmountCharge Level
Less than 2 ouncesClass B misdemeanor
2 – 4 ouncesClass A misdemeanor
4 ounces – 5 poundsState jail felony
5 – 50 pounds3rd-degree felony
50 – 2,000 pounds2nd-degree felony
More than 2,000 pounds1st-degree felony and up to a $50,000 fine

Delivery of Marijuana

AmountCharge Level
Less than 1/4 ounce and no payment receivedClass B misdemeanor
Less than 1/4 ounce and payment receivedClass A misdemeanor
1/4 ounce – 5 poundsState jail felony
5 – 50 pounds2nd-degree felony
50 – 2,000 pounds1st-degree felony
More than 2,000 pounds10 years – life and up to a $100,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 1

AmountCharge Level
Less than 1 gramState jail felony
1 – 4 grams3rd-degree felony
4 – 200 grams2nd-degree felony
200 – 400 grams1st-degree felony
More than 400 grams10 years – life and up to $100,000 fine

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 1

AmountCharge Level
Less than 1 gramState jail felony
1 – 4 grams2nd-degree felony
4 – 200 grams1st-degree felony
200 – 400 grams10 years – life and up to a $100,000 fine
More than 400 grams15 years – life and up to a $250,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 1-A

AmountCharge Level
Less than 20 abuse unitsState jail felony
20 – 80 abuse units3rd-degree felony
80 – 4,000 abuse units2nd-degree felony
4,000 – 8,000 abuse units1st-degree felony
More than 8,000 abuse units15 years – life and up to a $250,000 fine

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 1-A

AmountCharge Level
Less than 20 abuse unitsState jail felony
20 – 80 abuse units2nd-degree felony
80 – 4,000 abuse units1st-degree felony
More than 4,000 abuse units15 years – life and up to a $250,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 2

AmountCharge Level
Less than 1 gramState jail felony
1 – 4 grams3rd-degree felony
4 – 400 grams2nd-degree felony
More than 400 grams1st-degree felony with up to a $50,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 2-A

AmountCharge Level
Less than 2 ouncesClass B misdemeanor
2 – 4 ouncesClass A misdemeanor
4 ounces – 5 poundsState jail felony
5 pounds – 50 pounds3rd-degree felony
50 pounds – 2,000 pounds2nd-degree felony
More than 2,000 pounds1st-degree felony with up to a $50,000 fine

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 2 or 2-A

AmountCharge Level
Less than 1 gramState jail felony
1 – 4 grams2nd-degree felony
4 – 400 grams1st-degree felony
More than 400 grams10 years – life and up to a $100,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 3

AmountCharge Level
Less than 28 gramsState jail felony
28 – 200 grams3rd-degree felony
200 – 400 grams2nd-degree felony
More than 400 grams1st-degree felony with up to a $50,000 fine

Possession of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 4

AmountCharge Level
Less than 28 gramsClass B misdemeanor
28 grams – 200 grams3rd-degree felony
200 – 400 grams2nd-degree felony
More than 400 grams1st-degree felony with up to a $50,000 fine

Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Penalty Group 3 or 4

AmountCharge Level
Less than 28 gramsState jail felony
28 – 200 grams2nd-degree felony
200 – 400 grams1st-degree felony
More than 400 grams10 years – life and up to a $100,000 fine

Possession of a Dangerous Drug

AmountCharge Level
Any amountClass A misdemeanor

Manufacture or Delivery of a Dangerous Drug

AmountCharge Level
Any amountState jail felony

For more information on Penalties For Drug Convictions, a free initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (346) 567-8671 today.