Cocaine Manufacturing & Delivery Charges in Houston
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The state of Texas takes drug crimes very seriously. Many offenses, such as simple possession and other non-violent acts, are currently linked to punishments that are consistent with serious felonies. The crime of manufacturing and delivering elicit substances is no exception. This crime carries severe penalties, such as thousands of dollars in fines and decades spent in state or federal prison.
If you have been charged with manufacturing or delivering cocaine, you may be worried about the harsh consequences that could follow a conviction. You may also be concerned about how your loved ones will be affected if you are incarcerated. Your family may rely on you for financial support, or perhaps they need you for spiritual or emotional guidance. A Houston drug lawyer at The Law Offices of Ned Barnett has years of experience in helping good people effectively deal with drug charges. With his help, you may be able to regain your freedom.
Defining Manufacturing and Delivery
While manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance are often paired, they are actually two distinct crimes. Delivery of an illegal substance is defined as actually transferring a drug from one person to the other. This transfer can be direct, such as when a person simply hands over a package of drugs, or indirect, which might involve leaving drugs in a known location for someone to pick up. Manufacturing of drugs, on the other hand, consists of actually creating a drug or any other illegal substance that has an intoxicating effect. The manufacturing process might involve obtaining the ingredients for a drug, using lab gear to create a drug, and utilizing techniques that make a drug more potent.
Penalty Groups and Criminal Consequences
Unlike other states, Texas organizes drugs into categories called penalty groups. Simply put, drugs are categorized based on how dangerous they are to a person’s health. This risk is determined by examining the addictive nature of a drug. While prescription pills and methamphetamine are both detrimental to a person’s health, meth is far more addictive. As a result, meth is labeled as being more dangerous. Since addictive substances are taken more frequently, they pose a more serious health risk.
Cocaine is labeled as a penalty group one substance. It is joined by heroin, ketamine, methamphetamine, and several other drugs that pose a risk to society and personal health. In most cases, the penalties for the manufacture and delivery of a penalty group one substance are dependent on the quantity of drugs involved. These penalties include, but are not limited to:
- 1 Gram or Less: A felony with a sentence of up to 2 years in state jail
- 1 to 4 Grams: A felony that includes up to 10 years in state prison
- 4 to 200 Grams: A felony that can include a sentence of up to 20 years in prison
- 200 to 400 Grams: A felony carrying a sentence of up to life in prison
- 400 Grams or More: A felony carrying a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of up to life in prison.
Contact a Houston Cocaine Defense Lawyer Today
For many of the individuals convicted of a drug crime, their concerns don’t end upon their release from prison. After their sentence is over, a person is forced to worry about how they will be perceived by the outside world. Employers, for example, might shy away from an applicant with a criminal record. What’s more, a person might be fired from their current job, even if they are not convicted. A person’s attempts to continue their education might also be stifled. Scholarships are often off-limits to those with conviction histories, and colleges commonly vet applicants before admitting them.
The effects of a cocaine manufacturing or delivery charge can be devastating. Maybe the relationships with your loved ones have been shattered, or perhaps your career has ended as a result of your arrest. As a skilled Houston cocaine defense lawyer, Ned Barnett can guide you through the legal process and will work to ensure that you understand all of your options.
Call (713) 222-6767 today to protect your freedom.