Frisco, TX Drug Distribution and Manufacturing Lawyers

Experienced Attorneys for Charges of Manufacturing or Sale of Controlled Substances in Frisco, Texas

There are a variety of reasons that people may be charged with drug crimes. Offenses involving drug manufacturing and distribution are among the most serious drug-related charges that people may face. Police officers and prosecutors often take a harsh stance against those who have been accused of selling or distributing drugs. People who are convicted of these offenses could face sentences of years or even decades in prison. The consequences of a drug crime conviction can affect a person for the rest of their life.

At Barbieri Law Firm, we work with clients who have been accused of manufacturing or selling controlled substances, helping them understand their legal options and working to resolve their cases successfully. Due to our deep understanding of Texas law and our familiarity with courts and prosecutors, we can develop defense strategies that will help to prevent convictions and reduce or eliminate the penalties that our clients may face.

When Drug Distribution Charges May Apply

Offenses related to the distribution of controlled substances will typically involve knowingly delivering or transferring a controlled substance to another person. This may include selling drugs for money, giving them away, or offering to sell or deliver them. The law does not require that a transaction be completed, and an attempt or an offer may be enough to support a charge.

Examples of situations where a person could be charged with drug distribution include:

• Being found with a large quantity of drugs that have been packaged for sale
• Allegedly selling drugs to an undercover officer or informant
• Delivering drugs to another person in exchange for cash or as part of a larger drug distribution operation
• Arranging a drug sale using text messages, social media, or over the phone
• Being in possession of a large amount of controlled substances along with cash, scales, and packaging materials

Even if the quantity involved is relatively small, the presence of certain items or evidence may lead police to claim that a person intended to distribute the drugs. Charges of drug possession may be elevated to possession with intent to distribute based on these factors.

Drug Manufacturing Charges in Texas

Manufacturing of controlled substances may involve producing or preparing drugs through chemical processes. It may also involve processing drugs and preparing them for sale, including by packaging, repackaging, or labeling controlled substances.

Examples of drug manufacturing may include:

• Operating a methamphetamine lab in a house, vehicle, or storage facility
• Growing marijuana plants in a home or another property
• Producing THC extracts or edibles
• Altering prescription medications in order to sell or distribute them illegally
• Compounding chemicals to create synthetic drugs
• Creating tabs or capsules of drugs that are meant to be distributed to others
• Dividing a large amount of a controlled substance into smaller portions and packaging them for individual sale

Police officers or other law enforcement officials may investigate people suspected of drug manufacturing through surveillance, wiretaps, or sting operations involving undercover officers. They may use search warrants to raid facilities they believe are used for manufacturing operations, and drug labs may analyze seized materials. The presence of certain chemicals, equipment, or substances may lead to charges even if the drug production was incomplete or unsuccessful.

Penalties for Drug Manufacturing and Distribution

The specific charges and penalties that may apply when a person is accused of manufacturing or distributing drugs may depend on several factors, including the type(s) of substance(s), the quantity involved in an operation, whether a person allegedly used weapons when guarding facilities or distributing substances, and whether an offense occurred near a school or involved a minor.

Texas divides controlled substances into penalty groups, with the most severe penalties applied to drugs in Penalty Group 1. These substances include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. Manufacturing or distribution of less than one gram of a substance in Penalty Group 1 is a state jail felony, with a potential sentence of 180 days to two years in state jail. Felony charges increase significantly in cases involving larger amounts of these drugs.

Charges of manufacturing or distributing other substances, such as those in Penalty Groups 2 through 4 or marijuana, can lead to penalties ranging from state jail felonies to first-degree felonies, depending on the quantity of substances and other factors. Convictions may also carry collateral consequences, including the suspension of a person's driver's license, loss of a professional license, and ineligibility for federal financial aid or public benefits.

Defense Strategies for Drug Manufacturing and Distribution Charges

The attorneys at Barbieri Law Firm work with our clients to develop comprehensive defense strategies that will help them avoid convictions or reduce the penalties that may apply. Possible defenses may include:

• Challenging the Legality of Search and Seizure: If officers searched a home, vehicle, or phone without a valid warrant or probable cause, the evidence they allegedly uncovered may be excluded from a criminal case. A successful motion to suppress can lead to dismissal or reduction of charges.
• Disputing Possession or Intent: A person may be unaware that drugs or manufacturing materials were present in a shared space. Our lawyers may argue that our client had no knowledge of the activities that occurred on their property.
• Contesting Forensic Evidence: Lab testing errors, chain-of-custody issues, or other factors that could lead to the misidentification of substances can weaken the prosecution's case. An independent review of the forensic evidence may reveal significant flaws.
• Challenging Witness Credibility: Many drug distribution cases rely on testimony from informants or other witnesses who may have a motive to lie. Our attorneys will investigate witnesses thoroughly and expose inconsistencies in their statements.

Contact Our Frisco, TX Drug Manufacturing and Distribution Defense Attorneys

Drug charges can be serious risks, especially when a person is accused of participating in activities related to the sale or distribution of controlled substances. A strong legal defense can make a critical difference in these cases. The attorneys at Barbieri Law Firm can act quickly to challenge the evidence, address constitutional violations by police, and explore every opportunity to protect our clients' rights and minimize the impact of these charges on their futures. Contact our Frisco controlled substance manufacturing/distribution lawyers at 972-424-1902 to discuss your case in a free, confidential consultation.