If a juvenile is found to be in the possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, he or she can be charged with a juvenile drug crime. Some of the most common drug crimes juveniles are charged with include possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
If your child has been charged with a drug-related offense, it is important that you contact a juvenile crime attorney who is familiar with juvenile crime laws.
Juvenile Drug Charges Defense Lawyer in Irving, Dallas, Carrolton, Richardson, TX
If your child has been charged with a drug-related offense, contact the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today at (972) 233-5700 for a consultation about your alleged offense in Irving, Dallas, Carrolton, Richardson, and surrounding areas of Dallas County, Texas. Our firm will work to potentially get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed.
Juvenile Drug Offenses in Dallas
In order for an individual to be convicted of a drug-related offense, the prosecution must be able to prove that the individual knowingly or intentionally possessed the drug or instrument in question, without a prescription or any other valid legal reason.
The prosecution must also be able to show that the juvenile was in actual or constructive possession of the controlled substance or instrument. Actual possession means the juvenile had the object in his or her hand, pocket, or otherwise on his or her body.
Constructive possession means the individual was aware of the object’s presence, was aware of the illicit nature of the object, and had dominion or control over the object. For example, if law enforcement finds an illegal substance in a juvenile’s glove compartment, the juvenile can be accused of having constructive possession of the controlled substance.
For the purposes of possession with intent to deliver, it must be shown that the defendant possessed the illegal substances and intended on selling or transferring them to someone else, in exchange for something of value. The prosecution may use the presence of packaging material, large amounts of cash, weapons, or scales to prove that the individual intends on selling or transferring the drugs.
Penalties for Juvenile Drug Charges in Dallas
In Texas, the judicial system for juvenile offenders is very different from the judicial system for adults. For juveniles, the main goal of the judicial system is to rehabilitate them and get them back on the right track. If an individual is charged with a drug crime in Texas and is put through the juvenile courts, his or her potential punishments include, but are not limited to:
- Probation
- Drug rehabilitation
- Confinement in a juvenile detention center
- Substance abuse educational courses
- Counseling
- Payment of court fees
- Community service
In some cases, depending on the severity of the crime or the juvenile’s criminal history, juveniles can be tried as adults ordered to pay heavy fines, and sentenced to time in jail.
Find A Dallas County Defense Attorney for Juvenile Drug Charges | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
If your child is facing charges of a drug offense, contact the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today at (972) 233-5700 for a consultation about your alleged offense in Irving, Dallas, Carrolton, Richardson, and surrounding areas of Dallas County, Texas. Our firm will work to potentially get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed.