Have the police in Dallas arrested you for possessing, manufacturing, or delivering drug paraphernalia? You may not have realized that possessing certain items could expose you to drug-related charges. However, you can face significant penalties for a drug paraphernalia conviction under certain circumstances. Furthermore, the stigma of a criminal record can have long-lasting consequences for your personal and professional life.

Don’t leave yourself at the mercy of the criminal justice system. Let a defense attorney help you pursue a favorable resolution to your charges so you can move forward with your life. Contact My Dallas Criminal Lawyer today for an initial case evaluation with our legal team to discuss your charges and learn how a Dallas possession of drug paraphernalia defense attorney can help with your case.

Do You Need an Attorney for Drug Paraphernalia Charges?

 Don’t try to face charges of possession of drug paraphernalia alone. Instead, get help from an attorney from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer who can guide you through the criminal justice process by:

• Thoroughly investigating your charges to obtain evidence for your case
• Reviewing the facts to identify potential defense strategies you might pursue
• Helping you understand your charges and legal options so you can make informed decisions
• Challenging the prosecution’s case at each possible step and protecting your rights as a criminal defendant
• Pursuing every avenue to secure a favorable outcome for your charges 

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

If you’ve been arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, your choice of legal counsel can help you protect your rights and reputation from the potential fallout of an arrest or conviction. Turn to a criminal defense attorney from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer to guide you through the criminal justice system because:

• Our lawyers have established a reputation for providing comprehensive legal representation characterized by thorough case preparation, vigorous courtroom advocacy, and exceptional client service.
• We tailor our approach to the specific circumstances of your case to meet your needs, concerns, and goals.
• With our firm, you will work directly with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney who will take the time to hear your story, explain your legal options, and develop a tailored case strategy to help you secure a favorable resolution.
• Our lawyers use their collective knowledge and litigation skills to defend your rights and interests as you face the criminal justice system.

Understanding Drug Paraphernalia Possession Charges

In Texas, a person commits a crime if they knowingly or intentionally use or possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia to produce, consume, or conceal a controlled substance, or to deliver a controlled substance for such purposes.

Using or possessing drug paraphernalia constitutes a Class C misdemeanor. Delivering drug paraphernalia or manufacturing/possessing paraphernalia with intent to deliver constitutes a Class A misdemeanor. However, if the person has a prior conviction for delivering drug paraphernalia or manufacturing/possessing paraphernalia with intent to deliver, they will face a mandatory minimum jail term of 90 days. Finally, delivering drug paraphernalia or manufacturing/possessing paraphernalia with intent to deliver to a minor constitutes a state jail felony.

Frequently Asked Questions About Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Here are the answers to some of the question’s we’re most frequently asked about possession of drug paraphernalia.

Will I have to go to jail for a drug paraphernalia conviction?

Whether you go to jail on conviction of possession of drug paraphernalia will depend on the grading of the offense. Texas grades use or possession of drug paraphernalia as a Class C misdemeanor, which only imposes a fine of up to $500. However, delivering or manufacturing/possession with intent to deliver constitutes a Class A misdemeanor, which carries penalties of up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both jail time and a fine. Moreover, delivering drug paraphernalia to a minor constitutes a state jail felony, which carries a penalty of 180 days to two years in state jail plus a potential fine of up to $10,000.

Whether a court chooses to impose jail time for a drug paraphernalia conviction may depend on the defendant’s criminal history and other factors.

What defenses might I have against a drug paraphernalia charge?

Depending on the circumstances, you may have several potential defenses available to you. These include:

• Lack of intent: A defendant may contend that the prosecution’s case fails to prove they acted with the criminal intent required by the drug paraphernalia statute.
• Lack of possession: Defendants may deny having had actual or constructive possession of drug paraphernalia seized by the police.
• Non-paraphernalia: A defendant may argue that an object seized from them by the police does not qualify as drug paraphernalia because one cannot use it to make or ingest controlled substances.
• Unlawful search and seizure: Defendants may try to have evidence excluded from the prosecution’s case by asserting that police obtained the evidence through an unlawful search that violated the defendant’s rights.

Furthermore, Texas law provides a defense to criminal liability under the drug paraphernalia statute when a defendant’s arrest occurred because they:

• Made the first request for emergency medical assistance for a person suffering from a drug overdose
• Remained at the scene until medical aid arrived
• Cooperated with EMS and law enforcement.

What should I do after the police arrest me for possession of drug paraphernalia?

What you do while in police custody for drug paraphernalia possession charges is critically important to your defense. You can best protect your rights and interests by exercising your right to remain silent and refraining from answering questions from the police or talking to officers or detectives about your charges. Furthermore, you should ask to speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights.

Contact Our Firm Today for Help Fighting Your Charges

If you’ve been arrested for drug paraphernalia in Dallas, an experienced criminal defense lawyer from My Dallas Criminal Lawyer can help you fight for a favorable resolution to your charges. You shouldn’t have to accept the consequences of a drug paraphernalia charge without understanding your rights. Call our firm today at 214-949-4117 for a confidential consultation with one of our experienced Dallas drug paraphernalia defense attorneys.