IS MARIJUANA POSSESSION A FELONY IN TEXAS?

IS MARIJUANA POSSESSION A FELONY IN TEXAS?

People may have many fears when they are accused of marijuana possession here in Texas. For one, they may fear that they will face a felony charge.

Are charges of marijuana possession always at the felony level here in Texas? The answer is no. They are sometimes felony charges and they are sometimes misdemeanor charges. Generally, the main deciding factor on this front is how much marijuana a person is accused of having possessed.

Under state law, possession of less than four ounces of marijuana is generally a misdemeanor, while possession of over four ounces is generally a felony.

How much marijuana was allegedly possessed also impacts how severe of a misdemeanor or felony charge a suspect would be facing. When it comes to marijuana possession, there are two main misdemeanor classes and four main felony classes charges can fall under. Drug amount is the main determiner of which class applies to a given situation.

Given this, the possible penalties for marijuana possession vary considerably. Possession of less than two ounces of the drug is punishable by a jail sentence of up to 180 days and a fine of no more than $2,000. On the other side of the spectrum, for possession of more than 2000 pounds, the maximum prison sentence is life (with the minimum being 5 years) and the maximum fine is $50,000.

So, while all marijuana possession charges carry serious potential consequences, just how severe these consequences can be depends on the specifics of the allegations. This underscores that every possession case is unique and raises its own particular issues and concerns. This is among the reasons why having a well-tailored defense strategy is so important when facing marijuana possession allegations in the state.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR POST-ARREST RESPONSIBILITIES IN TEXAS

UNDERSTANDING YOUR POST-ARREST RESPONSIBILITIES IN TEXAS

If police in Texas arrested you and charged you with a crime, you now have a path that you must follow through the state’s criminal justice system. Although every criminal case is different, there is a general procedure that criminal charges follow.

You need to understand your rights and responsibilities following your arrest in Texas. If you neglect any of your legal duties after your arrest, or if you are not aware of your rights under the law, you could endure serious consequences in the future.

Arrest and posting bond in Texas

Immediately following your arrest for a serious crime, you will have to wait in jail until your bail bond hearing. This is the hearing where the judge sets the amount of your bail. If you post bond, it means that you can leave jail by paying the amount of bail. There are several ways you can do this, including paying out-of-pocket or enlisting the assistance of a bail bond agent for a percentage of your bail, with the agent then promising to pay the remainder to the court if the defendant does not show up for his or her court appearance. The amount you pay is a premium that you will most likely not get back. The bail bondsman may also require additional collateral. You are responsible for showing up at your court hearing.

Court appearance

A critical step is finding criminal defense representation for your court appearance, which, as an example, in Texas’s Denton County typically takes place 30 to 60 days following arrest. You should not attempt to represent yourself in your criminal case, because your lack of knowledge of the appropriate procedure and laws can increase your chances of a conviction and subsequent consequences, depending on the severity of your crime.

If you are facing criminal charges and do not know what steps to take next, do not attempt to proceed on your own. The consequences and penalties you risk as a result of criminal charges are too serious to underestimate. Research your options regarding criminal defense and take the necessary steps to secure a professional who can help you build a strategy to move through the process.

1080 KRLD RADIO FEATURES JOHN “TONY” ROSS

1080 KRLD RADIO FEATURES JOHN “TONY” ROSS

John “Tony” Ross Featured on 1080 KRLD Radio

Consumer Team: What To Do If You’re Arrested

(DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TX – Consumer Team News) Consumer Team host Pete Thomson today announced a new series of interviews with Texas Criminal Defense Attorney John “Tony” Ross. According to Thomson, the interviews will be educational and will focus on what consumers aren’t prepared for in an arrest situation. Thomson said, “This interview series is designed to help consumers understand the nuances involved in dealing with the police. Since most people have never been arrested previously, it’s easy to make a critical error.”

TonyRossProfile-300x300.jpg

John A. “Tony” Ross

Thomson said that John “Tony” Ross is well suited for the Consumer Team interviews because of his experience as a criminal law attorney. He added, “Tony’s extensive experience in Texas Criminal Law makes him a solid source for our interviews. He’s highly respected in Texas and we’re excited to have him as a resource on Consumer Team.”

Thomson said in addition to offering general advice for anyone in an arrest situation, that the interviews will have a focus on what parents can do to prepare and support children who are arrested. He added, “Through our series of interviews, we want to help parents be prepared for that 1 AM phone call from a son or daughter who says ‘Dad, I’ve been arrested.'”

The Consumer Team with Pete Thomson airs Saturdays from 5-6 PM on 740 KTRH Radio, Houston and from 6-8 PM on 1080 KRLD Radio, Dallas-Ft. Worth. The Consumer Team is produced by McQ Media, Dallas, Texas.

Denton Motorcyclist Leads Police On Chase For Drug Crimes

Denton Motorcyclist Leads Police On Chase For Drug Crimes

Denton police found a man with marijuana, THC extract and a digital scale Sunday after the man crashed his motorcycle during a short pursuit near the intersection of West University Drive and Fulton Street, according to Denton police spokesman Bryan Cose.

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) extract is a concentrated form of the chemical properties found in marijuana.

At about 3:50 a.m. Sunday, a patrol sergeant noticed the 20-year-old suspect’s motorcycle didn’t have a license plate. The motorcycle pulled into a gas station, so the officer pulled in to inquire about the missing plate, Cose said.

The man then got back on his motorcycle and rode eastbound on University Drive as the officer attempted to make a traffic stop. The officer stopped chasing the vehicle after the motorcycle reached a high rate of speed on West University Drive, Cose said.

When the rider attempted to make a U-turn on University at Fulton Street, he lost control and crashed, fleeing on foot. Cose said police caught up to the suspect and found the drugs.

The man was taken to Denton City Jail on charges of evading arrest with a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Other reports

2000 block of Stockbridge Road — A 30-year-old woman attempted to stab her boyfriend with a knife Sunday as a neighbor tried to break up their fight, according to Denton police spokesman Bryan Cose.

He said police were called to the disturbance at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The man said the fight started because he came home late.

Cose said the neighbor was able to take the knife away from the woman before she grabbed a second knife. The neighbor was eventually able to talk the woman into putting the second knife down, Cose said.

She was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as well as several outstanding Denton police warrants.

West Congress and Carroll Boulevard — Denton police found a 22-year-old man in a drainage ditch on Sunday after the man fled from a stolen car involved in a hit-and-run crash, according to a police report.

Witnesses said two men fled from the scene of a hit-and-run around 5 p.m., and police later determined the vehicle they ran from was stolen, the report said.

One occupant was found in the nearby ditch, and he was taken to Denton City Jail on a charge of evading arrest. The man also had an outstanding speeding warrant.

600 block of Wainwright Street — Someone called police Sunday because a homeless man threw coffee on another homeless man near a downtown warehouse, the caller said.

Police spoke with the 39-year-old male victim around 9:30 a.m. and took a report. No arrests were made.

Click here to read the full article on Denton Record-Chronicle

__________________________________________________________

John Anthony Ross, Jr., or “Tony” as he is known among friends and colleagues, is a Top-Rated criminal defense attorney, who specializes solely in criminal defense law. This means that no matter how large or small your case may be, we have the knowledge and experience to help you.

Ross Law Offices is different from other firms. Each and every one of Mr. Ross’s clients is a top priority, and our primary goal is to give that client the time and attention they need and deserve. Once retained, you will be working directly with Mr. Ross. Mr. Ross personally handles every docket setting, court hearing, pre-trial motion, DA consultation, client status meeting, and any other aspect which may arise with your case, including jury trial. At Ross Law Offices, we believe that most prospective clients are seeking a truly qualified attorney who will take the time to devote the necessary effort and expertise to their case, no matter how large or small. When you work with our firm, you will not be working with an associate, intern, or assistant at any time. You will be working with Mr. Ross, directly. We encourage prospective clients to do their research before hiring an attorney. Meet with the attorney IN PERSON and ask questions. Speak with courthouse staff, other lawyers in the community, and our previous clients you may know. Review Mr. Ross’s AVVO rating of Superb (10 out of 10), and read our clients’ testimonials and reviews. Roughly 80% of the firm’s clients come from referrals and word-of-mouth advertising.

Contact us today. An initial consultation and assessment of your case is always free.

 

Denton Police Find 38 Pounds of Marijuana

Denton Police Find 38 Pounds of Marijuana In Home With Children

The parents of a child who was found unattended Wednesday morning were arrested after police found just more than 38 pounds of marijuana products in their home, according to the couple’s arrest affidavit.

Enrique Castillo, 26, and his girlfriend Regina Thomas, 28, both were charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance greater than 400 grams.

Denton police initially were dispatched to a welfare concern call about 10:30 a.m. in the 3900 block of Redstone Drive. A neighbor found the couple’s child walking down the sidewalk with a pitbull-mix puppy, the affidavit said.

When police arrived, the child had soiled his diaper and wasn’t wearing shoes, police said.

Denton police eventually found the nearby home where the child lived and contacted the father, Castillo.

He told police he left the child alone to watch television when he went to the restroom for 15 minutes.

He said he didn’t know the child left the home. Police said they observed bruising on the child, which Castillo said was from the child playing.

He told police the child tends to fall.

During their investigation, Denton police saw a water pipe (bong) and a jar filled with what they believed to be marijuana on the living room table. The affidavit said the child easily could have reached the items if he were left alone in the area.

Police then called Child Protective Services and the child’s mother, Thomas.

Both Thomas and Castillo gave police permission to search their house, and police found what they described as a marijuana grow room in the home, along with at least eight jars filled with a combined 37 1/2 pounds of marijuana wax, the affidavit said.

Marijuana wax is a highly concentrated form of marijuana. It can have up to eight times more concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the chemical compound in marijuana responsible for the euphoric high. It typically is the color of honey with a consistency of soft wax.

Police also found multiple bongs, nine cookies baked with marijuana wax in the kitchen and two rifles in the master bedroom. The marijuana originally found on the living room table weighed close to seven ounces, the affidavit said.

Thomas later admitted to making the cookies, the affidavit states.

Castillo claimed he ingests the marijuana wax nearly every day “to prevent cancer and other illnesses,” the affidavit said.

Child Protective Services took custody of the child and documented the incident. The couple were taken to Denton City Jail in lieu of a $20,000 bail for each suspect.

Other reports

3900 block of Monte Verde Way — An 18-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday after her 17-year-old girlfriend accused her of grabbing her arms, neck and legs to keep her from leaving a bedroom, Denton police spokesman Bryan Cose said.

Earlier in the day, an argument started over one of the females potentially cheating on the other, Cose said. As the woman tried to stop the younger girl from leaving the room, the girl hit her in the face to escape, police said.

The girl called police about 11 p.m., and the 18-year-old was taken to the Denton City Jail on charges of unlawful restraint and assault family violence. The 17-year-old had minor bumps, bruises and scratches, Cose said.

1200 block of West Oak Street — A 70-year-old man reported his wife for stealing credit cards and $150 from his wallet Wednesday because “he does not believe that his money is community property,” according to a police report.

The man said this is the second time his wife has stolen from him. He called police at 12:41 p.m., but no arrests were made.

Roundup

From 7 a.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday:

Click here to read the full article on Denton Record-Chronicle

__________________________________________________________

John Anthony Ross, Jr., or “Tony” as he is known among friends and colleagues, is a Top-Rated criminal defense attorney, who specializes solely in criminal defense law. This means that no matter how large or small your case may be, we have the knowledge and experience to help you.

Ross Law Offices is different from other firms. Each and every one of Mr. Ross’s clients is a top priority, and our primary goal is to give that client the time and attention they need and deserve. Once retained, you will be working directly with Mr. Ross. Mr. Ross personally handles every docket setting, court hearing, pre-trial motion, DA consultation, client status meeting, and any other aspect which may arise with your case, including jury trial. At Ross Law Offices, we believe that most prospective clients are seeking a truly qualified attorney who will take the time to devote the necessary effort and expertise to their case, no matter how large or small. When you work with our firm, you will not be working with an associate, intern, or assistant at any time. You will be working with Mr. Ross, directly. We encourage prospective clients to do their research before hiring an attorney. Meet with the attorney IN PERSON and ask questions. Speak with courthouse staff, other lawyers in the community, and our previous clients you may know. Review Mr. Ross’s AVVO rating of Superb (10 out of 10), and read our clients’ testimonials and reviews. Roughly 80% of the firm’s clients come from referrals and word-of-mouth advertising.

Contact us today. An initial consultation and assessment of your case is always free.

 

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