In Texas, ecstasy-related crimes are subject to some of the strictest drug-related sentencing guidelines currently in effect. If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime involving ecstasy, it is time to speak with a knowledgeable attorney with experience handling cases like yours. You need to treat the charges you face with the utmost seriousness.
You’ll place yourself in the strongest possible position to navigate the charges successfully with a skilled and reputable legal team. The legal team at Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, has 65 years of combined experience defending the rights of Texans like you. They recognize that while their extensive knowledge of Texas drug laws is invaluable when navigating ecstasy cases, no two charges unfold under the same circumstances. A dedicated Austin criminal defense lawyer from the firm will be able to explain how Texas laws will apply to your case, specifically when you reach out to the firm for professional legal assistance.
How Ecstasy Is Categorized Under Texas Law
State ecstasy crimes in Texas are prosecuted subject to the Texas Controlled Substances Act. This state law categorizes illicit drugs, addictive prescription medications, and other controlled substances into six “penalty groups.” These groups are 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, and 4. The sole exception to this categorization scheme is marijuana because, like it is in many states now, marijuana is regulated distinctly. The hierarchy of the penalty groups of the Texas Controlled Substances Act is such that drug crimes involving substances classified in Penalty Group 1 are punishable by the most severe terms, and drug crimes involving substances classified in Penalty Group 4 are punishable by the least strict terms.
Classification of substances into their categories is determined primarily by evaluating how addictive substances are and whether they are effective in medical treatment contexts. Therefore, the highest penalty groups primarily feature substances that are highly addictive and which generally have either little or no accepted medical uses. The lower penalty groups generally feature substances that are effective in medical contexts.
Ecstasy is categorized as a Penalty Group 2 drug. This is the middle-ground of Texas drug categorization. It is not as dangerous as the highest-ranked drugs but still dangerous enough to be treated seriously. It also has limited or no practical applications in a medical context.
As a result of this middle-ground reality, simple possession of less than one gram of ecstasy is treated as a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in jail. Possession of between four and 400 grams of ecstasy is a second-degree felony punishable by between two and ten years in jail. Possession of more than 400 grams of ecstasy is a first-degree felony in Texas and is punishable by five to 99 years in prison.
Ecstasy Drug Crime Cases
The stakes are so high in even the most minor ecstasy possession cases that individuals facing charges need skilled representation to reach the most favorable outcome. Public defenders are notoriously overworked and have little time to devote to individual defendants, so seeking a skilled, knowledgeable, and reputable Austin criminal defense lawyer is critical.
Lawyers who understand how to get results in ecstasy cases understand that they have several opportunities to boost a client’s chances of a successful defense during the prosecution process. From managing the terms of pretrial release during a defendant’s arraignment to arguing for their acquittal in front of a jury, skilled lawyers see every step in the criminal prosecution process as a chance to successfully defend their clients against the charges they face.
Savvy criminal defense lawyers must seize three primary opportunities: pretrial proceedings, negotiation, and trial. Each stage of the process offers lawyers unique circumstances to exercise the strength of their client’s defense strategy.
During pretrial proceedings, possession of ecstasy defense lawyers austin may successfully suppress evidence gathered during an unlawful search and seizure or under other circumstances that violate a defendant’s rights. If evidence is suppressed, it can’t be used against the defendant at trial. Without access to this evidence, the prosecution may downgrade the severity of the charges or drop their case against a defendant altogether.
When negotiating with the prosecution, a lawyer who takes proactive approaches may successfully negotiate a favorable plea bargain with the prosecution. This effort could result in minimized penalties, mitigated charges, or a referral to a Texas drug court, which would allow a defendant to keep a clean criminal record if they follow all the guidelines set by that court instead of facing a traditional criminal process through to the end.
If a trial becomes necessary, a skilled attorney will use a solid defense strategy and the art of persuasion to do their utmost to secure an acquittal or dismissal.
Seek Capable Criminal Defense Representation
Not all criminal defense attorneys operate on the same level. Just as you’d rather have an experienced, talented, reputable surgeon operating on your heart than a surgeon with a less-than-stellar reputation, you should seek out the most capable criminal defense attorney to represent your interests in an ecstasy case.
You must know that your attorney is up to the challenge and will advocate aggressively for your rights and interests. They should clearly understand the law and how to apply it to unique circumstances. They should also be entirely committed to you. If you get the sense that your matter is “just another case” for them, walk out the door. You need and deserve representation from someone who will treat your case as if it is uniquely essential—because it is.
Connect With An Experienced Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer Today To Learn More
To learn more about Texas drug laws and how they will apply to your unique case, reach out to Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, by calling 512-991-0576 or contacting the firm online. Whether you require a simple or secondary possession of ecstasy lawyer in Austin or you need an Austin defense lawyer to fight felony drug possession charges in the first degree, their reputable and skilled Austin felony lawyers are ready to aggressively advocate on behalf of your defense.
When your freedom, reputation, financial stability, and future are on the line, you need a legal team that understands how to get results. There is no time to waste when the stakes are so high. Call now to benefit from personalized legal guidance and assistance from the dedicated Austin criminal defense lawyers at Cofer & Connelly, PLLC. Call now.