Manufacturing or distribution of illegal drugs is one of the most serious crimes under Texas law. Conviction on the most serious charges could result in life in prison. Even relatively minor charges can involve substantial jail time, heavy fines, and a criminal record that could follow you around for the rest of your life. You need dedicated legal counsel who will fight as hard as it takes for the favorable outcome you deserve. You need My Dallas Criminal Lawyer.

Contact us today to get started with your initial case review. Our Dallas drug manufacturing defense lawyers are standing by to discuss your circumstances, concerns, and goals.

Do You Need a Defense Attorney to Face Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance Charges?

The state has considerable resources at its disposal to pursue prosecution of charges for the manufacture and delivery of controlled substances. However, having a seasoned defense lawyer on your side can help level the playing field. A  drug crime defense attorney can thoroughly investigate your case and recover evidence that can build a compelling defense strategy. They will keep you informed throughout so that you understand your charges and legal options, and they will vigorously pursue the best possible outcome under the circumstances of your case.

 Why Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer?

 Charges of manufacturing or delivering controlled substances can lead to life-altering consequences. Your choice of legal representation can make a difference in the outcome of your case. Turn to a drug defense attorney from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer to protect your rights and interests because:

• We have established a reputation for thoroughly preparing tailored defense strategies, vigorously advocating for our clients’ needs, and providing exceptional client service.
• Our attorneys tailor their strategy to your charges and work to serve your needs, concerns, and goals.
• You will work directly with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who takes the time to listen to your story, explain your legal options, and develop a compelling legal argument to protect your interests.
• Our legal team leverages our collective knowledge and litigation skills to defend your rights, reputation, and future from the potential consequences of a conviction.

Understanding Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substance Charges

Under Texas law, a person commits an offense if they, without lawful authorization, knowingly manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to deliver any substance listed in Texas’s schedules of controlled substances. The grading of an offense for manufacture/delivery of controlled substances will depend on the type of drug, the penalty group it falls into, and the quantity of drugs involved in the case.

Examples of controlled substances in Texas’s drug schedules include:

• Penalty Group 1: Opiates and opium products such as methadol, heroin, oxycodone, or raw opium; cocaine; methamphetamine
• Penalty Group 1-A: LSD and compounds derived from 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine
• Penalty Group 1-B: Fentanyl and fentanyl-derived drugs
• Penalty Group 2: Hallucinogenic substances such as mescaline and MDMA (ecstasy), PHP, THC-containing drugs other than marijuana, psilocybin
• Penalty Group 2-A: Cannabinol derivatives
• Penalty Group 3: Barbitals (such as clonazepam or flurazepam), mixtures containing specific quantities of codeine, peyote, anabolic steroids, Salvia divinorum
• Penalty Group 4: Compounds with limited quantities of codeine, opium, and other controlled substances

To secure a conviction on these charges, prosecutors must convince a jury that the defendant intended to deliver the drugs and not for personal use. To that end, they will attempt to highlight evidence from which the jury can infer that the defendant meant to deliver drugs. Evidence might include the quantity of drugs, the method of their packaging, and any manufacturing or packaging equipment the defendant was in possession of.

Frequently Asked Questions About Manufacture/Delivery of Controlled Substances

Here are the answers to some common questions that clients have about manufacture/delivery of controlled substance charges.

What penalties could I face for a conviction for manufacturing or delivering controlled substances?

In Texas, manufacturing or delivery of controlled substances constitutes a felony offense. The penalties that a court may impose for a conviction for manufacturing or delivering controlled substances or possessing controlled substances with intent to deliver will depend on the grading of a defendant’s charge and other factors. These include the defendant’s criminal history or other aggravating or mitigating factors in their case, such as the presence of a minor. Standard sentences include:

• State jail felony: One hundred eighty days to two years in state jail and a potential fine of up to $10,000
• Third-degree felony: Two to ten years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000
• Second-degree felony: Two to 20 years in prison and a potential fine of up to $10,000
• First-degree felony: Five to 99 years in prison or life imprisonment and a potential fine of up to $10,000

However, manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver substantial quantities of some of the more dangerous drugs can increase potential penalties for a conviction beyond standard sentencing ranges. This aggravating factor may increase mandatory minimum sentences to 10, 15, or 20 years and increase maximum fines to $100,000, $200,000, $300,000, or $500,000.

What defenses might I have against manufacture/delivery of controlled substance charges?

 There are several potential defenses to charges of manufacture or delivery of controlled substances. Which ones might be most effective will depend on the circumstances of the individual case. Possible strategies include the following:

• Lack of intent: Defendants may assert they did not act with the level of criminal intent required by the statute. Alternatively, a defendant may seek to reduce the severity of their charges by arguing that they had no intent to deliver or distribute drugs in their possession.
• Lack of possession: A defendant may argue that the prosecution’s case fails to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they had actual or constructive possession of the controlled substances seized by police.
• No evidence of controlled substances: Defendants may argue that substances seized by police were not controlled substances and that the prosecution failed to conduct laboratory testing to confirm the substance’s nature.
• Unlawful search by police: A defendant may assert that police lacked probable cause to conduct a search of their person, container, vehicle, residence, or place of business, warranting the exclusion of any evidence law enforcement obtained in that search.

What steps should I take following an arrest?

 Charges of manufacturing or delivering drugs are serious, and you should treat an arrest on suspicion of them just as seriously. You can best protect yourself by exercising your right to remain silent and refraining from answering questions from officers or detectives or from starting conversations with them about your charges. However, you can ask to confirm what charges the police have arrested you for. Perhaps most importantly, you should request to speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. 

Contact Us Today for Dedicated Legal Representation

Have you been arrested on suspicion of manufacturing, delivering, or possessing drugs with intent to deliver? If so, you need highly experienced legal advocacy to protect your rights and interests. Call My Dallas Criminal Lawyer at 214-949-4117 today for a confidential consultation with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to discuss your legal options for seeking a favorable resolution to your case.