Frisco Drug Crimes Lawyer: Strategic Defense Against Texas Drug Charges
Texas drug laws are among the toughest in the country, and even a small amount can mean a felony. Al Rowland defends people in Frisco, Collin County, and Denton County against drug charges of every kind, starting with the most important question in many cases: was the search legal?
Facing Drug Charges in Frisco or Collin County?
Most drug cases in Frisco begin with a traffic stop on the Dallas North Tollway, SH-121, or US-380, a call to a residence, or a search at a school or workplace. From there, the charge depends on what was found, how much it weighed, and whether police believe it was meant for sale.
The Texas Controlled Substances Act, found in Chapter 481 of the Health and Safety Code, sorts drugs into “penalty groups” and sets punishment by weight. We defend the full range of drug offenses:
Marijuana possession
From misdemeanor possession to felony charges for THC vapes and concentrates.
Marijuana defense →Possession of a controlled substance
Cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, MDMA, and prescription pills.
Controlled substance defense →Manufacture or delivery
Charges alleging intent to sell carry far higher ranges than simple possession, often based on packaging, scales, or cash.
Prescription drug offenses
Possessing pills without a valid prescription, or fraud allegations involving prescriptions.
Drug-free zone enhancements
Offenses near schools and certain other locations can carry increased punishment.
Drug paraphernalia
A Class C offense, often heard in Frisco Municipal Court, that still leaves a criminal record.
How Texas Penalty Groups Shape Your Case
The penalty group, together with the weight of the substance (including any mixture or adulterants), largely decides whether you face a misdemeanor or a felony.
| Group | Common examples | Smallest-amount possession charge |
|---|---|---|
| Penalty Group 1 | Cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin | State jail felony (under 1 gram) |
| Penalty Group 1-A | LSD | State jail felony (fewer than 20 units) |
| Penalty Group 1-B | Fentanyl and related substances | State jail felony (under 1 gram) |
| Penalty Groups 2 & 2-A | MDMA, psilocybin mushrooms, THC concentrates, synthetic cannabinoids | State jail felony (under 1 gram) |
| Penalty Group 3 | Many benzodiazepines, such as Xanax | Class A misdemeanor (under 28 grams) |
| Penalty Group 4 | Certain low-dose compounds containing codeine | Class B misdemeanor (under 28 grams) |
| Marijuana | Plant-form marijuana | Class B misdemeanor (2 ounces or less) |
Larger amounts move up through third-, second-, and first-degree felony ranges. Delivery and manufacturing charges carry higher penalties at every level.
Illegal Searches: How Traffic Stops Become Drug Cases
The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable searches. When police cut corners, the evidence they find can be suppressed, and without the evidence, the State often has no case.
We examine body-camera and dash-camera video minute by minute to see how the stop began, how long it lasted, what was said, and whether you truly agreed to a search.
Was there a valid reason for the stop?
Officers need reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or crime.
Was the stop extended without justification?
Holding you longer than needed to handle the traffic issue, just to wait for a drug dog, can be unlawful.
Was your consent truly voluntary?
Consent given under pressure, or after a refusal was ignored, can be challenged.
Did the drugs actually belong to you?
In shared cars and homes, the State must link you to the drugs with more than mere presence.
Diversion and Treatment-Based Alternatives
For many people, especially first-time offenders and those struggling with addiction, the best outcome is one that keeps a conviction off their record entirely.
Pretrial diversion
Eligible defendants may complete conditions such as classes, drug testing, and community service in exchange for dismissal of the charge.
Specialty courts
Collin and Denton Counties operate treatment-focused court programs for some defendants whose cases are driven by substance use.
Deferred adjudication
Successfully completing deferred adjudication avoids a conviction and can open the door to an order of nondisclosure.
Your Drug Charge Questions, Answered
Can I be charged if the drugs weren’t mine?
You can be charged, but the State must prove you knowingly possessed the drugs. When drugs are found in a shared car or home, prosecutors need evidence linking you to them beyond simply being nearby.
What is the difference between possession and possession with intent to deliver?
Possession means having the drug for personal use. Intent to deliver alleges you planned to sell or distribute it, often based on quantity, packaging, scales, or cash. Delivery charges carry significantly higher punishment ranges.
Will a drug charge stay on my record forever?
Not necessarily. A dismissed case may qualify for expunction, and successfully completing deferred adjudication may allow you to seek an order of nondisclosure. The way your case is resolved determines which options are available.
Should I talk to the police about the drugs they found?
You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Politely decline to answer questions about the case until you have spoken with a lawyer, because statements are often the strongest evidence of “knowing” possession.
Start Building Your Defense Today
Evidence like video footage and lab records can make or break a drug case. Contact us now so we can begin reviewing yours.
469-895-6555 Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC6160 Warren Pkwy Ste. 100
Frisco, TX 75034
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