What are Drug Crimes in Corpus Christi, Texas?
Drug crimes in Corpus Christi refer to several offenses relating to the manufacture, delivery, use, or possession of illegal drugs or controlled substances. Drug crimes in Corpus Christi are usually treated seriously. The punishments imposed for such crimes include a prison sentence, hefty fines, probation, suspension of driver's license, and mandatory drug addiction treatment. The severity of the penalties imposed on the accused will usually depend on the type and quantity of drugs caught in their possession. Other factors that may influence the penalties imposed on the accused include the accused's previous convictions and whether a minor was present on the premises where the drug crime was committed.
The common drug-related charges in Corpus Christi include:
- Drug possession: per Texas laws, an accused who is found with illegal drugs or substances in their home or vehicle can be charged with drug possession in Corpus Christi. The punishment for possession of an illegal drug or controlled substance depends on the amount of drugs in the accused’s possession and the penalty group the drug belongs to.
- Drug paraphernalia: It is an offense in Corpus Christi to possess certain items that aid the production or use of illicit drugs or substances. Some of these items include plastic bags, smoking pipes, bongs, planting pots, scales, syringes, rolling papers, and roach clips.
- Drug conspiracy: Under Chapter 15 of the Texas Penal Code, a person commits criminal conspiracy if such person agrees with one or more persons to engage in any conduct that constitutes a felony. In relation to drug conspiracy charges, only one person within the conspiracy is required to commit an overt act to pursue the agreement. Once this overt act is done, every person who took part in the conspiracy may be charged with the offense.
- Drug distribution: This offense involves the physical transfer or delivery of an illegal drug or substance from one person to another or from one place to another. The punishments for distributing a drug or controlled substance vary in Corpus Christi and would usually depend on which penalty group the drug belongs to.
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI): It is an offense in Corpus Christi to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of an illegal drug or substance.
An accused charged with any of these drug crimes may hire a qualified drug crime defense attorney in Corpus Christi who can deploy solid defense strategies to have the court dismiss or reduce the charges.
What are the Penalties for Drug Crimes in Corpus Christi, Texas?
In Corpus Christi, the penalties for committing a drug offense can be severe and depend on the nature and quantity of the drug used or found in the custody of the accused, as well as what the accused was doing with the drugs. The court may also impose enhanced punishments if the offense includes the use of a child, delivery to a drug-free zone, and serious bodily injury to another person.
Chapter 481 of the Texas Health and Safety Code identifies six categories of drug groups for penalty purposes. These are Penalty Group 1, Penalty Group 1-A, Penalty Group 2, Penalty Group 2-A, Penalty Group 3, and Penalty Group 4. The following table provides the classification of each penalty group, examples of drugs, and the punishments for drug crimes in Corpus Christi.
| Penalty Group | Examples of Drugs | Classification and Penalties for the crime of manufacturing or delivery | Classification and Penalties for the crime of possession |
| Group 1 | Codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin, methamphetamine, ketamine, cocaine, opium derivatives, psilocybin, and similar hallucinogens.
| (State Jail felony) Less than 1 gram: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(Second-degree felony) More than 1 gram and less than 4 grams: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(First-degree felony) More than 4 grams and less than 200 grams: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(Enhanced felony 1) 400 grams or more: 15 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. | (State Jail felony) Less than 1 gram: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(Third-degree felony) More than 1 gram and less than 4 grams: two to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(Second-degree felony) More than 4 grams and less than 200 grams: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(First-degree felony) More than 200 grams and less than 400 grams: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(Enhanced felony 1) 400 grams or more: 10 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. |
| Group 1A | Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and any of its salts or isomers. | (State Jail felony) Less than 20 units: 6 months to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 20 units and less than 80 units: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) More than 80 units and less than 4,000 units: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Enhanced felony 1) More than 4,000 units and less than 8,000 units: 10 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. (Enhanced felony 1) 8,000 units or more: 15 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. | (State Jail felony) Less than 20 units: 6 months to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Third-degree felony) More than 20 units and less than 80 units: two to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 80 units and less than 4,000 units: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) More than 4,000 units and less than 8,000 units: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Enhanced felony 1) 8,000 units or more: 15 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
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| Group 2 | Ecstasy, Phencyclidine (PCP), Mescaline. | (State Jail felony) Less than 1 gram: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(Second-degree felony) More than 1 gram and less than 4 grams: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) More than 4 grams and less than 400 grams: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Enhanced Felony 1) 400 grams or more: 10 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. | (State Jail felony) Less than 1 gram: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
(Third-degree felony) More than 1 gram and less than 4 grams: two to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 4 grams and less than 400 grams: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) 400 grams or more: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000. |
| Group 2A | Cannabinoids such as K2 and spice.
| (State Jail felony) Less than one gram: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 1 gram and less than 4 grams: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) More than 4 grams and less than 400 grams: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Enhanced felony 1) 400 grams or more: ten to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. | (Class B Misdemeanor) Less than one gram: 180 days in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000. (Class A misdemeanor) More than 1 gram and less than 4 grams: maximum sentence of a year imprisonment and a fine of up to $4,000. (State Jail felony) More than 4 grams and less than 400 grams: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Third-degree felony) 400 grams or more: two to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000.
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| Group 3 | Methylphenidate, anabolic steroids, valium, and other stimulants and depressants with potential for abuse.
| (State Jail felony) Less than 28 grams: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 28 grams and less than 200 grams: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) More than 200 grams and less than 400 grams: five to 99 years and a fine of up to $10,000. (Enhanced felony 1) 400 grams or more: 10 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000.
| (Class A misdemeanor) Less than 28 grams: Maximum prison sentence of one year and a fine of up to $4,000. (Third-degree felony) More than 28 grams and less than 200 grams: two to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 200 grams and less than 400 grams: two to 20 years and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) 400 grams or more: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000. |
| Group 4 | Motofen, Morphine, Buprenorphine, Pyrovalerone
| (SA maximum felony) Less than 28 grams: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 28 grams and less than 200 grams: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) More than 200 grams and less than 400 grams: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Enhanced felony 1) 400 grams or more: 10 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. | (Class B misdemeanor) Less than 28 grams: Maximum prison sentence of 6 months and a fine of up to $2,000.
(Third-degree felony) More than 28 grams and less than 200 grams: two to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 200 grams and less than 400 grams: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) 400 grams or more: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $50,000. |
| Marijuana. | (Class B misdemeanor) Less than 2 ounces: Maximum prison sentence of 6 months and a fine of up to $2,000. (Class A misdemeanor) More than 2 ounces and less than 4 ounces: Maximum prison sentence of a year and a fine of up to $4,000. (State Jail felony) More than 4 ounces and less than 5 pounds: 180 days to two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 5 pounds and less than 50 pounds: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) More than 50 pounds and less than 2,000: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Enhanced felony 1) More than 2,000 pounds: 10 to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000. | (Class B misdemeanor) Less than 2 ounces: Maximum prison sentence of 6 months and a fine of up to $2,000. (Class A misdemeanor) More than 2 ounces and less than 4 ounces: Maximum prison sentence of a year and a fine of up to $4,000. (State Jail felony) More than 4 ounces and less than 5 pounds: Maximum sentence of two years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Third-degree felony) More than 5 pounds and less than 50 pounds: two to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (Second-degree felony) More than 50 pounds and less than 2,000: two to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. (First-degree felony) More than 2,000 pounds: five to 99 years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000 |
What Percentage of Crimes are Drug-Related in Corpus Christi?
According to statistics published on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Data Explorer, Corpus Christi experienced a total of 5,320 drug offenses and violations, and 744 drug equipment violations in 2020, amounting to 20% of the city’s total crimes at the time. Substances that constitute the most significant drug threat in Corpus Christi include: ice methamphetamine (31%), crack cocaine (21%), powder cocaine (17%), controlled prescription drugs (14%), marijuana (11%), other dangerous drugs (1%), powder methamphetamine (1%), and heroin (1%).
How Many Prisoners are in Jail for Drug-Related Crimes in Corpus Christi?
According to reports by the Texas Office of Court Administration, between the years 2010 and 2020, 72 persons were sentenced to prison for drug sale or manufacture, and 147 for drug possession by District and Statutory Courts in Nueces County, Corpus Christi’s home county. These numbers amount to 18% of total prison sentences in the county for felony offenses in the same period.
Historically, Corpus Christi has been a target for smaller-scale illicit drug dealings due to its proximity to the US-Mexico border. In 2007, the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) noted that stash houses used for storing cocaine and marijuana before their transshipment to major markets are numerous in and around Corpus Christi.
Corpus Christi Drug Crime Lawyer
Following an arrest for drug crimes in Corpus Christi, it is essential that the accused take immediate action to protect their rights and secure their future. This can be done by contacting a Corpus Christi drug crime defense attorney who has extensive skill and experience in handling drug crime cases. Such an attorney has an in-depth understanding of the Texas legal system and is able to come up with solid defense strategies to secure a dismissal or reduction of the charges. In addition, in the case a conviction ensues, the lawyer is able to help the accused person negotiate a reasonable sentencing alternative.
How to Beat Drug Crime Charges in Corpus Christi?
In order to beat a drug crime charge in Corpus Christi, a drug crime defense lawyer would have to come up with an effective defense strategy to discredit the prosecution’s case. Some of the applicable defenses to a drug charge in Corpus Christi include:
- Fourth Amendment: This is a constitutional provision that seeks to protect the accused from unlawful search and seizure of property by law enforcement officers. In the event of any violation by police officers, the accused may rely on this constitutional provision to challenge the evidence of the prosecution. If the challenge is successful in court, the evidence unlawfully obtained by the prosecution becomes inadmissible.
- Fifth amendment: This is another constitutional provision that protects the accused from incriminating themselves. In the event police officers violate this right through intimidation and forced confessions from the accused, the evidence obtained from this violation could be suppressed and rendered inadmissible by the court.
- Entrapment: It is defense in a drug charge case that police officers coerced the accused into possessing illegal drugs or substances.
- Doctor’s Prescription: a person is allowed to be in possession of certain drugs with a medical prescription. The accused can therefore rely on this defense to show that the drugs found in their custody were validly prescribed and issued by a qualified doctor.
