Drug Possession Case Results in Texas

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Misdemeanor)

Location

Harris County, CC13

Allegations

Police responded to a store incident and questioned our client. An officer saw a small bulge in his sock, claimed it looked like an ankle monitor, and ordered him to show it. Under pressure, he handed over a pill bottle and was arrested for misdemeanor possession. We obtained bodycam and surveillance and challenged the basis for the detention and the seizure from inside his clothing. We built a suppression argument and made clear we were ready to litigate. Faced with those issues, the state dismissed the drug charge.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (State Jail Felony)

Location

Tarrant County, CDC1

Allegations

After a traffic stop for an alleged turn-signal violation, our client refused a vehicle search. Officers brought a K-9, claimed an alert, and searched the car, finding a small amount of narcotics. We obtained dash and body camera video, scrutinizing the basis for the stop, the length of the detention, and the canine deployment, and were prepared to file a suppression motion. We also documented the client’s quick entry into treatment. Using that leverage, we secured a dismissal conditioned on completing a licensed drug education class.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (State Jail Felony)

Location

Tarrant County, CDC1

Allegations

After a traffic stop for an alleged turn signal violation, officers brought multiple units, deployed a K-9, and searched our client’s car despite his refusal to consent. Small amounts of suspected narcotics were recovered from the center console with a passenger also present. We pulled the dash and body cam, scrutinized the basis for the stop, the canine alert, and constructive possession. Confronted with those issues, the prosecution agreed to dismiss upon completion of a licensed drug education program. Our client satisfied the requirement and the case was dismissed.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony)

Location

Comal County, 466th District Court

Allegations

Police encountered our client while he and others were clearing out storage units purchased at auction. Officers detained everyone and searched the truck and trailer after consent was refused, then pulled a bag from the mixed contents and treated it as the client’s. We challenged the legality of the search, the weak nexus tying the bag to our client, and bodycam footage showing the client away from the vehicle. Ongoing lab discovery issues and a co-defendant’s later plea added leverage. The state reduced the charge, and the client received credit for time served.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony)

Location

Bexar County, Criminal, District Court

Allegations

Officers claimed our client possessed a controlled substance after an item was recovered by third parties before police arrived. We secured the lab results, which showed an amount far below what was first reported. We also determined the surveillance video cited by investigators was from the wrong location, and that multiple civilians handled the item with no clear chain of custody. We organized these defects and made clear we were prepared to litigate them. The prosecution dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of THC (Second-Degree Felony)

Location

Fort Bend County, 240th District Court

Allegations

After a single-vehicle crash, officers began a DWI investigation and conducted a pat down that turned up two THC vape pens, then later accessed the trunk. We obtained the body and dash video, the offense report, and lab paperwork. The footage and records raised problems with the justification for the frisk and the trunk entry, and the lab’s weight appeared to include the metal and cartridge hardware, inflating the amount to a felony range. We pressed these issues with the prosecution and made clear we were ready to litigate. The state dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of Marijuana (Felony)

Location

Fort Bend County, 240th District Court

Allegations

After a single-vehicle crash, police detained our client and searched the car, then opened the trunk and alleged a felony amount of marijuana. We dissected the officers' paperwork and the timeline, zeroing in on consent, probable cause to enter the trunk, and how the evidence was collected and logged. We presented those problems to the prosecution and made clear we were ready to litigate them. Facing a weak foundation for the search, the State dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of a Controlled Substance (Second-Degree Felony)

Location

Fort Bend County, 240th District Court

Allegations

After a single-vehicle incident, officers detained our client and conducted a frisk, recovering two THC vape pens. Prosecutors filed a second-degree felony POCS based on a lab weight that counted the entire cartridge and device, inflating the grams. We dissected the police paperwork and flagged inconsistencies about which officer did what and when the items were seized. We also challenged the weight methodology and the legal basis for the seizure. Confronted with those evidentiary problems, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of Marijuana

Location

Travis County, Precinct Five

Allegations

During a traffic stop triggered by a sudden turn, an officer said he smelled marijuana. Our client admitted having a small amount in a pocket and was cited for possession. We were retained quickly and obtained the dash and body camera footage along with the reports. We compared the video to the narrative and scrutinized the basis for the stop and the scope of the search. After presenting our analysis and engaging the prosecutor on the strength of the evidence, the state dismissed the case.

Charge

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Location

Comal County, JP3

Allegations

During a traffic stop, the officer approached the passenger side and saw a grinder, a pipe, and loose plant material sitting in plain view. The items were seized and a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia was issued, with no arrest. We stepped in, requested dash and body camera video, and scrutinized the basis for the stop and the plain view seizure. Leveraging the footage and the client’s clean history, we pressed negotiations with the prosecutor. The case resolved with deferred adjudication on short terms, keeping a conviction off the record upon completion.

Charge

Possession of Marijuana

Location

Dallas County, County Criminal Court of Appeals No. 2

Allegations

A routine traffic stop for an alleged red-light violation led to a search after the officer claimed to smell marijuana. A small amount was recovered from the center console and the client was arrested. We obtained the discovery, scrutinized the basis for the stop, the search, and any statements, and emphasized the limited quantity, lack of other contraband, and the client’s cooperation. We leveraged those points in negotiations to secure a reduced charge resolved with credit for time served, avoiding probation or ongoing supervision.

Charge

Possession of Marijuana

Location

Collin County

Allegations

Following a roadside collision, officers searched the vehicle and claimed the client consented. They reported finding a small amount of marijuana in a bag inside the car, leading to a possession charge. We dissected the police paperwork and highlighted inconsistencies about when consent was given and where the item was discovered. We challenged the legality and scope of the search and pressed the DA on proof of possession. Faced with those evidentiary problems, the state dismissed the case.