At Michael & Associates, we understand that a drug conviction can affect your future for years to come—employment, housing, education, custody, immigration status, and more.
One mistake shouldn’t define your life.
Many of our Fort Worth attorneys were born and raised in the area and have established trust and rapport with local judges, prosecutors, and juries. Two are former prosecutors, while others have dedicated their entire careers to criminal defense. One is a past president of the Ellis County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.
But when you choose Michael & Associates to represent you, you aren’t just hiring one attorney. You’re getting an entire team that includes an ex-FBI agent, a former judge, and dozens of attorneys with decades of experience. Together, we tailor every defense to the individual, working relentlessly toward the best possible outcome. Our No. 1 goal is a dismissal.
Our team brings compassion and a commitment to real outcomes. Whether it’s securing a case dismissal, negotiating for pretrial diversion, or fighting in court, we work tirelessly to protect your future.
Decades of Experience
Our Fort Worth attorneys have spent decades fighting and beating drug charges across North Texas, taking the time to build trust and rapport with local judges, prosecutors, and juries. One began as a prosecutor in Galveston, while the other is a former public defender. These diverse experiences enable us to view your case from multiple angles.
Customized Defense for All Types of Drug Crimes
When you hire Michael & Associates to defend you against drug charges in Fort Worth, you don’t just get one lawyer in our Fort Worth office — you get the full force of our entire Texas team, which includes a former FBI agent, an ex-deputy sheriff, a former judge, and attorneys with decades of criminal defense experience. We work together to design a defense tailored to your specific situation, working relentlessly toward the best possible outcome. Our number one goal is a dismissal.
100% Success Rate in Fort Worth
We’ve built a reputation in North Texas for thorough investigations, aggressive negotiation, and unwavering support. Our local experience gives us a critical edge in negotiations. Our client satisfaction surveys indicate a 100% success rate for outcomes in Tarrant County.
We Treat Our Clients Like Family
We believe that one mistake shouldn’t impact the rest of your life, and we approach each case as if it involves a member of our own families. Our focus is on compassionate representation designed to protect your future, whether this is done by securing a dismissal, negotiating a plea deal, fighting for your enrollment in a pretrial diversion program, or fighting for you in court.
We Handle All Types of Drug Charges in Tarrant County
The most common drug-related charges in the Fort Worth area include marijuana possession and possession of controlled substances without a valid prescription, but we also handle manufacturing and trafficking charges.
Marijuana Possession
While marijuana laws have evolved in some states, Texas remains strict. Outside of a few very limited exceptions, possession of marijuana is illegal. Even small amounts can result in criminal charges — ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the weight and quantity. If you've been charged with marijuana possession in the Fort Worth area, we're here to fight for your rights.
Court data shows that 2,814 people in Tarrant County were charged with marijuana possession in 2024. Close to 80% of those cases have been resolved. While 65% were dismissed, over 16% resulted in convictions, and 14% resulted in deferred adjudication. The remaining 5% had other outcomes.
READ MORE: Study investigates whether your THC gummies are legal
Marijuana Manufacturing & Delivery
If you’re caught growing marijuana, making products from it, or giving it to others — even just a small amount — you could be facing serious manufacturing or delivery charges. The penalties can get especially harsh if larger quantities are involved.
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Under the Texas Health & Safety Code Sections 481.115 to 481.118, knowingly possessing a controlled substance without a valid prescription is illegal. Texas groups these substances by risk and medical use, and penalties will vary based on the type and quantity of the drug.
A conviction could result in jail time, substantial fines, and a permanent criminal record. Unlike other states, Texas takes a hardline approach — being caught with just a few pills can trigger serious legal consequences.
Court data shows that about 62% of cases involving drug offenses in Tarrant County in 2024 have been resolved. Almost 38% of those cases resulted in convictions, and 24% of defendants received deferred adjudication. Approximately 18% of cases resulted in dismissals. The remaining 20% had other outcomes.
READ MORE: Texas drug laws
Cocaine Possession
Possessing any amount of cocaine is a felony in Texas. You don't need to be caught in the act — simply having it on your person, in your car, or even in your home can lead to serious charges, fines, and prison time.
Cocaine Manufacturing & Delivery
Possessing any amount of cocaine in Tarrant County is a felony. You don’t have to be caught using it — just having it with you, in your car, or at your home is enough to face serious criminal charges, steep fines, and possible prison time.
Heroin Possession
Heroin is classified as a Penalty Group One substance, making its possession a felony offense. Even less than one gram can lead to up to two years in state jail. If you're caught with a larger amount, you could be looking at decades behind bars.
Other drugs in Penalty Group One include codeine, ecstasy, opium, oxycodone, and fentanyl.
Heroin Manufacturing & Delivery
Making or selling heroin in Tarrant County is a serious felony that can completely change your life. The more you’re caught with, the harsher the penalties can be, and things only get worse if you're a repeat offender.
Methamphetamine Possession
Possession of meth is a felony, no matter how much is in your possession. If you're found with any methamphetamine at all on your person, property, or in your vehicle, law enforcement will crack down. Michael & Associates has the experience to challenge the search, evidence, and legality of your arrest.
Methamphetamine Manufacturing or Delivery
Tarrant County aggressively prosecutes all meth manufacturing and delivery charges. If authorities suspect you've been involved in production — even as an accomplice — you could face years behind bars. Don't go through this alone. Our team can help you build a strong defense strategy.
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking involves making, transporting, or selling large amounts of controlled substances. If police find you carrying large quantities of drugs — or prosecutors claim you intended to distribute — you could end up facing federal charges, which carry mandatory minimum sentences.
Other Drug Charges We Fight in Tarrant County
Texas has several other less-common drug charges, many of which involve manufacturing and/or delivery of controlled substances. We are prepared to defend against all types of drug charges, including:
- Manufacture or Delivery of a Substance in Penalty Group 1: Texas Health & Safety §481.112
- Manufacture or Delivery of a Substance in Penalty Group 1A: §481.1121
- Manufacture of a Substance in Penalty Group 1 in the Presence of a Child: §481.1122
- Manufacture or Delivery of a Substance in Penalty Groups 2 or 2A: §481.113
- Manufacture or Delivery of a Substance in Penalty Groups 3 or 4: §481.114
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession of Miscellaneous Substances: §481.119
- Marijuana Delivery: §481.120
- Delivery of Marijuana or Another Controlled Substance to a Child: §481.122
- Possession or Transport of Certain Chemicals with the Intent to Manufacture a Controlled Substance: §481.124
- Drug Paraphernalia Delivery: §481.125
- Transfer of a Precursor Substance for Unlawful Manufacture: §481.137
- Manufacture or Delivery of a Controlled Substance That Causes Death or Serious Bodily Injury: §481.141
Potential Penalties for Tarrant County Drug Crimes
- First-degree felony: 5–99 years (or life) in prison, up to $250,000 fine
- Second-degree felony: 2–20 years, up to $10,000 fine
- Third-degree felony: 2–10 years, up to $10,000 fine
- State jail felony: 180 days–2 years, up to $10,000 fine
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail, $4,000 fine
- Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail, $2,000 fine
- Class C misdemeanor: Fine up to $500
Legal Defenses to Fort Worth Drug Charges
We start every case by examining whether your arrest was lawful. Were your rights violated? Was there probable cause? Was evidence obtained through an illegal search? Was the substance truly in your possession?
Common strategies include:
- What were the circumstances?
- Which drugs were found?
- Did police officers follow the appropriate procedures during your arrest
- Are there inaccuracies in the police report?
- Do you already have a history of drug-related activity?
- Did police find drug paraphernalia?
Real Cases. Real Results.
We treat every client like family.
For example, a recent case involved a college student who was caught with a small amount of marijuana.
Our client, a dean’s list student, could have faced serious repercussions, including a permanent criminal record. We negotiated a deal with the prosecutors that resulted in the case being dismissed upfront, so there is no active case or conviction on the record. As long as the client does not violate the law, the state will not refile the case.
This is our ultimate goal for every single client – no jail, no record, and no future consequences.
