The war on drugs is not over in Tarrant County, and the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department, along with the District Attorney's Office, take a special interest in drug charges. If you've been arrested or believe you may be under investigation for drug crimes in Bedford, it's time to consult with a dedicated Bedford drug crimes lawyer to help protect your rights and explore your options for a solid defense.
A drug conviction can result in a lengthy prison sentence and substantial fines. It can also have lasting social consequences that make it difficult to obtain a job, get a federal student loan, or buy or rent a home. It could also interfere with your child custody or visitation rights. You need a seasoned Bedford drug lawyer who has the skill and legal insight to tailor your defense strategy to the specifics of your case to pursue the best possible resolution for you.
The Bedford drug crime attorneys at Fulgham Law Firm have decades of criminal law experience. We can review your case at no cost and advise you of your options. You can also count on us to help you prepare a strong defense and fight for you each step of the way.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
How the Fulgham Law Firm Can Help Defend You Against Drug Charges in Bedford
At Fulgham Law Firm, our focus is providing every client with a personalized approach that affords them a comprehensive defense against the drug charges they face. This includes keeping you well informed and updated about the charges in question and about the progression of your case – along with all the following:
- Skillfully analyzing all the available evidence – including any the prosecution may be trying to hang onto – from every conceivable angle
- Zealously defending you against all allegations
- Ensuring that your constitutional rights are well protected
At our boutique drug crimes defense law, we have five lawyers who worked as prosecutors in the DA's offices in Collin and Tarrant Counties and other areas throughout North Texas. This experience afforded us a bird's eye view of the criminal prosecution process and a complete understanding of exactly how the Texas Penal Code, the Texas court system, and – most importantly of all – Texas judges and juries work. As such, we have invaluable insight into Texas' criminal justice system to increase your chances of getting the most favorable results possible.
To learn more about how our legal team can help you, give us a call at 817-877-3030 to request your free consultation today.
Common Drug Crimes in Bedford, TX
Common drug crimes in Bedford, TX, are generally governed by both state and federal laws. The specific charges and penalties can vary depending on factors such as the type and quantity of drugs involved, the intent of the alleged crime, and whether there are any aggravating circumstances. Here are some common drug crimes in Texas:
- Possession of a Controlled Substance: Unlawful possession of illegal drugs or controlled substances, such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, or prescription medications without a valid prescription.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia: Possession or use of equipment or devices intended for the manufacture, cultivation, or use of illegal drugs.
- Possession with Intent to Distribute: Possession of illegal drugs with the intent to sell, distribute, or deliver them.
- Drug Trafficking or Distribution: The sale, transportation, or distribution of illegal drugs. The severity of charges can depend on the type and quantity of drugs involved. What Makes Drug Trafficking in Texas into a Federal Case? Factors such as crossing state or international borders, involvement in large-scale operations, or connections to organized crime can escalate drug trafficking charges to the federal level, resulting in harsher penalties and more complex legal proceedings.
- Drug Manufacturing: Unlawful cultivation, synthesis, or production of controlled substances.
- Prescription Drug Fraud: Fraudulent activities related to obtaining or distributing prescription medications, such as forging prescriptions or doctor shopping.
- Drug Conspiracy: Participation in a criminal conspiracy involving the manufacturing, distribution, or trafficking of illegal drugs.
- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUI): Operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs, impairing the ability to drive safely.
- Marijuana Offenses: Although some states have legalized or decriminalized marijuana, it remains illegal for recreational use in Texas. Possession, distribution, and cultivation of marijuana can lead to criminal charges.
- Federal Drug Crimes: Some drug offenses may be prosecuted at the federal level, especially if they involve large quantities of drugs, cross state lines, or have other federal jurisdictional elements.
Penalties for drug crimes can range from fines and probation to lengthy imprisonment, depending on the nature and severity of the offense. Additionally, drug convictions can result in other consequences, such as loss of employment opportunities, professional licenses, and eligibility for federal student aid.
If you are facing drug-related charges in Bedford, TX, it is crucial to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can assess the details of your case, explain your rights, and help you navigate the legal process.
Is It a Controlled Substance?
The Texas Controlled Substances Act outlines those drugs and substances that are illegal in the state – as well as addressing drug paraphernalia and counterfeit substances, or substances that are not controlled but are packaged and marketed as controlled substances, that are also illegal in Texas.
Drug Paraphernalia
Drug paraphernalia refers to the tools that are used to sell, deliver, or use drugs, and common examples include:
- Pipes
- Scales
- Bongs
- Syringes
- Drug packaging materials
Common Controlled Substances
Some of the drugs that commonly lead to charges in Bedford and throughout Texas include the following street drugs:
- Marijuana
- K2 or spice
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Heroin
- Methamphetamine
- Crack
- PCP
Even prescription drugs can cross the line into the category of an illegal substance when the person in possession of the drug doesn’t have a valid prescription for it. The kinds of prescription drugs that often lead to such charges include:
- Sedatives like Xanax
- Painkillers like Oxycontin
- Stimulants like Adderall and other ADHD medications
- Sleeping pills like Lunesta and Ambien
Whether you’re facing a possession charge or any other drug-related charge, you need the skilled legal guidance of a Texas drug defense lawyer with an extensive background of successfully defending the accused in your corner.
Drug charges in Texas are often riddled with violations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights of those accused. The Fourth Amendment protects you from unreasonable search and seizure, while the Fifth Amendment ensures your right to remain silent. As former prosecutors, our criminal defense attorneys have backgrounds that make us well-equipped to spot constitutional concerns, including those involving illegal stops, pat-downs, and searches. We know how to skillfully fight back against these unlawful procedures to have evidence suppressed or drug charges dismissed altogether.
Do you suspect that your rights have been violated by the police? Don’t hesitate to contact our Bedford criminal defense lawyers at Fulgham Law Firm.
What about Probable Cause?
We’ve all watched our fair share of cop shows and have heard the term probable cause thrown in over and over again. Until the matter affects you personally, however, it can be difficult to gain a firm grasp of the concept. The thing about probable cause is that it’s generally left to the discretion of law enforcement, which means there is a lot of wiggle room – and there is no one-size-fits-all defense strategy in the face of shoddy probable cause.
At the Fulgham Law Firm, our team of former prosecutors is committed to analyzing the matter of probable cause in your case from every possible angle – in skilled pursuit of a crack in the prosecution’s argument.
What to Do If You’re Facing a Drug Possession Charge in Bedford
If you’ve been slapped with a drug possession charge, bringing your best defense begins with knowing the law, which translates to having a knowledgeable Bedford drug lawyer on your side. The prosecution is held to strict rules and regulations, and our solid understanding of the law affords us the space needed to raise viable concerns about the state’s allegations in relation to your unique circumstances.
Common Defense Strategies
What your drug charge calls for is a personalized defense strategy that’s crafted in accordance with the specifics of your case. That said, most defense approaches fall into certain common categories.
The Search and Seizure Was Illegal
Illegal search and seizure is not uncommon. Although the police may give the impression that they do everything by the book, it’s often a show. The police are bound by strict procedural requirements that must be carefully followed when making searches. Although the rules are exacting, they’re often bent – if not ignored entirely – when it comes to drug possession charges. While you may not have a clear understanding of what your rights are in this situation, your drug lawyer does, and they will fiercely advocate for a just resolution of the matter on your behalf.
If you are smoking a joint in front of a police officer, it is in plain sight, and they have the right to seize the drug and search you. When a drug isn’t in plain sight, however, and the police have no probable cause for searching the trunk of your car, for example, it is illegal for them to do so without your permission. Giving your permission is very ill-advised.
The Drugs Aren’t Yours
There are an endless number of reasons why drugs that don’t belong to you may be in your possession. You are not patrolling your person, car, and home constantly to ensure that the people you happen to be around at any given time aren’t leaving or dropping drugs. You go to parties, you have parties, you have passengers in your car, and you have houseguests from time to time, and any one of these can lead to possession mix-ups.
The right drug lawyer for you will require the prosecution to definitively prove the drugs were your own and are not the property of another partygoer, friend, passenger in your vehicle, or guest in your home.
It’s Not an Illegal Drug
You may be surprised how often the police make arrests for substances that look like illegal drugs but aren’t. While it seems like a simple mistake that should easily correct itself, this is by no means always the case. If you’ve been arrested for possession of something that isn’t actually illegal, it can still jam you up, and fighting to ensure that the necessary tests are performed and that the results are admitted into evidence is key.
The Drugs Can’t Be Found
If the police find drugs on you, it is not a slam dunk in terms of convicting you. If they ultimately can’t find the illegal substance they claim to have found on you, they’ll have a hard time convicting you. When it comes to the evidence chain, it’s not unusual for drugs to go missing as they’re moved from place to place and passed from person to person. Savvy drug lawyers don’t take the authorities’ word for it but, instead, ask that the drugs be presented, which can make a serious difference in your case.
The right defense strategy for you will be determined in accordance with your unique case and the circumstances involved. Often, a creative commingling of basic strategies is the best approach, and your trusted drug charge defense attorney will ensure that you’re well covered.
A Note about Deportation
While a conviction on a serious charge can negatively impact your immigration plans and can lead to deportation, lesser drug charges, such as simple possession, generally should not. The State of Texas, however, likes to take a tough-on-drugs stance. If the state is targeting you for deportation in response to a drug-related charge, a practiced drug crime lawyer can help right the wrong you’re facing.
The Bedford Texas Jail
If you’re facing a drug charge in Bedford, you’ll likely land in the Bedford city jail, and having some basic information about it can help.
Contact Information
The name of the Bedford jail is the Euless Police Department Jail Facility, and its address is as follows:
1102 W. Euless Boulevard
Euless, TX 76040
The jail is open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Call Us Right Now To Get Help
(817) 813-8013
Don’t Wait to Call Us
If you’re facing a drug possession charge or any other drug-related charge, you may feel utterly alone, but you should know that you’re not. We’ve helped hundreds of clients just like you throughout the Bedford area, and we can help you, too. The process begins with a free consultation with one of our Bedford drug crime defense lawyers, which sets the stage for your next steps. We’re standing by to help, so please don’t wait to give us a call at 817-877-3030 or contact us online today.