Being charged with a drug crime is a serious matter in any state, but penalties if convicted in Texas are especially harsh. Even a conviction for drug possession can result in a jail sentence, depending on the circumstances of the case. However, a prosecutor’s case is only as strong as the evidence he or she is able to present to a jury and if that evidence is weak or tainted, a defense attorney may be able to convince the court that it is inadmissible.

Drug Possession in Texas

Under Texas law, there are four classes of drugs. Marijuana has a separate class of its own. Each class has its own set of penalties that the court can impose if a person is found guilty of drug possession.

Depending on the type and amount of the drug a person is accused of possessing, the charges can range from a Class B or Class C misdemeanor (with conviction carrying a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000), third-degree felony, up to a first-degree felony. The harshest penalty a person convicted of drug possession can receive is 99 years to life in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

December has arrived, and along with it comes the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Unfortunately, so many people are so focused on getting ready and celebrating the holidays that they sometimes overlook safe driving behaviors, putting themselves and everyone around them at risk of car accident injuries. Although there are many reasons why car accidents occur, this time of the year often sees an increase in aggressive driving accidents and alcohol-related crashes.

Aggressive Driving

If you find yourself wondering if drivers are just more impatient and aggressive this time of year, rest assured it is not your imagination. They are. Road rage and aggressive driving increases during the holiday season. In one study, researchers looked at data that was collected from 10 major cities during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to determine how much aggressive events on the road increase during holidays. Aggressive events included acts of speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking. The study found that the number of these events spiked an alarming 20 percent more on a holiday weekend compared to other times of the year. At the very minimum, these aggressive acts result in a 40 percent increase in more fuel used. At the worst, these acts result in the deaths and injuries of thousands of victims each year.

Alcohol-Related Crashes

The holiday season also means lots of social gatherings and festivities. Often, alcohol is served at these events. Despite all the warnings and education, many drivers still get behind the wheel of their vehicle after they have been drinking. There are more than 10,000 victims killed each year in drunk driving accidents. Another 300,000 are left seriously injured.

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, “You have the right to remain silent. . .” especially if you are a fan of police TV shows. That is the first sentence of the Miranda Warning. This is the warning that law enforcement is required to give a suspect before interrogating them. What many suspects do not realize is that anything they say to police prior to being Mirandized can and likely will be used against them.

What Is the Miranda Warning?

Miranda rights or warning is a combination of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. The Fifth Amendment protects a person from self-incrimination. The Sixth Amendment guarantees the right of every defendant to an attorney. When a person is read the Miranda Warning by a police officer, they are told:

• They have the right to remain silent

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Thanksgiving is usually the kickoff for the winter holiday season. Historically, the day before Thanksgiving is known as one of the busiest travel days of the year as travelers take to the roads and the sky to visit family and friends near and far. It is estimated that more than 40 million people take to the roads for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Because so many people travel “home” for the holiday, the long Thanksgiving weekend is also a time when many friends get together at local pubs and restaurants, celebrating with mini reunions. It is not uncommon at any of these gatherings for there to be alcohol served. Unfortunately, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking can quickly “squash” your Thanksgiving weekend plans and leave you facing serious drunk driving charges.

Thanksgiving Alcohol Data

According to national statistics, the night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. The beer sales in bars throughout the country spikes more than 270 percent, while the sales of hard liquor increases by almost 115 percent. The tremendous increase in the number of patrons out drinking has led to the day before the holiday to be dubbed “Blackout Wednesday” referencing the “blacking out” many people experience due to excessive drunkenness.

Under the Texas criminal justice system, when a minor has committed criminal offenses, jurisdiction falls under Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). The goal of the TJJD is to protect both the child’s interest and keep communities safe. Although the hope is to keep the child from being sent to a juvenile detention facility, there are many cases where the TJJD judge does sentence a juvenile offender to a detention facility.

Recently, the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) announced that it is initiating an investigation into five facilities over allegations of physical violence, sexual abuse, and other mistreatment of minors being held at these locations.

Investigation Launched

According to the statement issued by the DOJ, the allegations came to the department’s attention through new reports, public documents, and social media posts. There was also information that came from people who work in the Texas prison systems relaying accounts of neglect of mentally ill detainees, sexual abuse, and horrific physical violence.