What are the common sentencing options for drug crimes?

Sentencing options for drug crimes in Texas vary, depending on the severity of the crime. Generally, criminal drug offenses are divided into three categories: misdemeanors, state jail felonies, and felonies. For misdemeanor drug offenses, such as possession of marijuana, there are a number of possible sentences. A person may be fined up to $4,000 and sentenced to incarceration for up to one year in county jail. Alternately, the person may receive a probated sentence, which is a period of probation (usually 2-4 years) to be supervised by the court. During this period, the offender must comply with court-ordered conditions. For a state jail felony, a person may be sentenced to up to two years in a state jail facility and/or fined up to $10,000. If the person is found guilty of a felony drug offense, he or she may be required to serve time in a state prison for up to 99 years and be fined up to $50,000. Depending on the case, a person may be eligible for parole after completing a certain portion of his or her sentence, such as 25-50% of the sentence. In addition to incarceration and fines, other options such as drug or alcohol classes, community service, restitution, and attending drug treatment or counseling programs are also potential sentencing options available in drug crime cases. Ultimately, it is up to the judge to decide what type of sentence to give to the offender.

Related FAQs

What is the common law definition of drug trafficking?
When is drug possession a crime?
What is the difference between a mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum sentence?
What is the difference between an indictment and an arrest?
What are the basic principles of drug testing?
What is an inference in a drug case?
What is the difference between a warrant and an arrest?
What is the difference between a plea bargain and a plea agreement?
What is the difference between a plea of guilty and a guilty plea?
What is a drug diversion program?

What are the common sentencing options for drug crimes?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts