What Are The Long-Term Consequences Of A Drug Conviction In Texas?

When you are facing any type of drug charges in Texas, you need to understand that a conviction can have significant consequences in your life. Indeed, even a conviction for a misdemeanor drug offense can have long-term implications and can affect your life in various ways. Accordingly, it is critical to seek help from a Temple drug crime defense lawyer as soon as possible to avoid having a conviction on your record. To underscore the seriousness of a drug crime conviction, our criminal defense lawyers want to provide you with more information about the long-term consequences of a drug conviction in Texas.

Criminal Sentence

 The most obvious consequences of a drug crime conviction in Texas, which can involve both short-term and long-term consequences, are the penalties associated with a criminal sentence. Even a first-time offense can result in a serious misdemeanor or felony charge and conviction, which can result in significant jail time or a term of imprisonment. The specific category of criminal offense you face will depend upon the specific charge, the type of drug involved in the case, and the amount of the drug. In general, drug crimes tend to be charged from Class C misdemeanor offenses up through first-degree felonies. Those sentences can involve the following:

• Class C misdemeanor: $500 fine;
• Class B misdemeanor: $2,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail;
• Class A misdemeanor: $4,000 fine and up to 1 year in jail;
• State jail felony: $10,000 fine and up to 2 years in jail;
• Third-degree felony: $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison;
• Second-degree felony: $10,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison; and
• First-degree felony: $10,000 fine and up to life in prison.

Home Rentals 

Depending upon the specific type of drug offense and conviction, Texas landlords may be able to deny your rental application if you have a particular drug conviction on your criminal record.

Employment Consequences 

While some states have laws that limit the ways in which potential and current employers can use a person’s criminal record against them or for making decisions about hiring, promotion, and firing, Texas has no laws in place that significantly limit the ways in which an employer can use a person’s criminal record, including a conviction for a drug offense (unless the offense has been expunged). There are some federal protections under certain federal laws prohibiting discrimination and under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Under Texas law, if a job pays less than $75,000, convictions can be considered in the hiring process for a person unless the conviction is more than 7 years old. If a job pays more than $75,000, there is no limit on the use of criminal records, including drug convictions, for hiring decisions.

Contact a Temple Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer for Help 

If you are facing drug charges in Texas, it is essential to begin working on your defense with an experienced lawyer to avoid a conviction. One of the dedicated Temple drug crimes defense attorneys at The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC can begin working with you to develop a defense strategy for your case.

Sources:

texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/just/features/0201_01/crimeandp.html

tdhca.state.tx.us/section-811-pra/docs/PlumCreekTownhomes-SSC.pdf

twc.texas.gov/news/efte/references_background_checks.html