Arrested for drug possession, trafficking, or manufacturing in Frisco? The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy provide aggressive criminal defense representation for clients facing drug charges throughout Collin County.
Frisco’s explosive growth—from a small town to a major corporate and residential hub—has brought increased drug enforcement throughout the city.
Whether you were pulled over on the Dallas North Tollway heading to work, arrested at your home near The Star, or stopped on Preston Road, drug convictions in Texas carry severe penalties including prison time, substantial fines, loss of professional licenses, and a permanent criminal record.
With over 35 years of experience and more than 1,000 cases dismissed, our defense attorneys know how to challenge drug charges in Collin County courts and protect your future.
Facing serious charges in Frisco? Speak directly with our Frisco criminal defense attorney who understands the local courts and prosecutors.
Drug Charges We Defend in Frisco, TX
📌 It’s essential to verify the penalty group classification for the substance in question — misclassification by law enforcement or lab technicians can significantly affect sentencing ranges and defense strategies.
Our firm handles all types of drug-related criminal charges in Collin County courts:
Drug Possession
Possession charges apply when controlled substances are found on your person, in your vehicle, or in a location you control. Texas categorizes drugs into penalty groups, with penalties based on the substance type and amount:
| Penalty Group | Common Substances | Less Than 1 Gram | 1–4 Grams | 4–200 Grams |
| Group 1 | Cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine | State jail felony (180 days–2 years) | 3rd-degree felony (2–10 years) | 2nd-degree felony (2–20 years) |
| Group 2 | Ecstasy, PCP, mescaline | State jail felony (180 days–2 years) | 3rd-degree felony (2–10 years) | 2nd-degree felony (2–20 years) |
| Group 3 | Valium, Xanax, Ritalin | Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year) if less than 28g | 3rd-degree felony (2–10 years) | 2nd-degree felony (2–20 years) |
| Marijuana | Cannabis | Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days) if less than 2 oz | Class A misdemeanor if 2–4 oz | State jail felony if 4 oz–5 lbs |
Possession With Intent to Distribute
Prosecutors upgrade possession charges to distribution based on:
- Large quantities of drugs
- Packaging materials or scales
- Large amounts of cash
- Text messages indicating sales
- Presence of weapons
Distribution charges carry significantly harsher penalties, including first-degree felonies with sentences up to 99 years or life in prison.
Drug Trafficking
Trafficking involves interstate transportation or large-scale distribution. These cases often include:
- Multi-agency investigations (Frisco PD, Collin County Sheriff, DEA)
- Confidential informants
- Wiretaps and surveillance
- Federal charges with mandatory minimums
The Northern District of Texas prosecutes federal drug cases at courthouses in Dallas and Sherman. Federal trafficking convictions carry mandatory minimum sentences far exceeding state penalties.
Drug Manufacturing
Manufacturing charges apply to producing, processing, or cultivating controlled substances, including:
- Operating methamphetamine labs
- Growing marijuana plants
- Synthesizing illegal drugs
- Processing raw materials into controlled substances
Marijuana Crimes
Texas has not decriminalized marijuana. Penalties include:
- Less than 2 oz: Up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine
- 2-4 oz: Up to 1 year jail, $4,000 fine
- 4 oz-5 lbs: 180 days-2 years state jail
- 5-50 lbs: 2-10 years prison, $10,000 fine
Drug Paraphernalia
Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.125 criminalizes possession of items used to manufacture, package, or consume drugs, including pipes, bongs, scales, and syringes.
While often charged as Class C misdemeanors, prosecutors use paraphernalia charges to strengthen possession cases.
Enhanced Penalties for Drug Crimes
Several factors increase the severity of drug charges:
- Drug-Free Zones: Charges within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds, or youth centers carry enhanced penalties and mandatory minimum sentences. This affects arrests near Frisco ISD schools, parks, and youth facilities throughout the city.
- Prior Convictions: Previous drug offenses trigger Texas’s habitual offender laws, substantially increasing potential sentences.
- Weapons Charges: Possessing firearms during drug offenses results in additional charges and enhanced sentences.
- Large Quantities: Higher amounts trigger more severe felony classifications within each penalty group.
What Happens After a Drug Arrest in Frisco
If arrested by Frisco Police Department officers, you’ll be transported to the Frisco City Jail at 7200 Stonebrook Parkway for initial processing, then typically transferred to the Collin County Detention Facility in McKinney for booking, fingerprinting, and bail setting.
💡 During booking, small procedural missteps — like improper Miranda warnings or delays in magistrate hearings — can later become powerful grounds for suppression motions. Keeping a record of every interaction post-arrest can strengthen your defense.
Frisco Municipal Court (8450 Moore Street, Frisco, TX 75034)
Handles Class C misdemeanor drug paraphernalia cases only. Most drug charges exceed municipal court jurisdiction.
Collin County Courts (2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071)
All felony drug charges and Class A/B misdemeanors are prosecuted in Collin County district courts. The District Attorney’s office maintains a specialized drug crimes unit that aggressively prosecutes narcotics cases.
Our attorneys appear regularly in these courtrooms and understand local prosecution strategies.
Collin County Pretrial Services may allow release pending trial with conditions including regular check-ins, drug testing, GPS monitoring, and travel restrictions.
Accused of distribution or transportation? Our experienced drug trafficking lawyer explains how these complex cases are prosecuted under Texas and federal law.
Alternative Sentencing and Diversion Programs
The Drug Court Program offers non-violent offenders with substance abuse issues an alternative to traditional prosecution through:
- Court-supervised treatment
- Regular drug testing and monitoring
- Case management services
- Potential charge dismissal upon completion
Participants complete 12-18 months of intensive supervision requiring strict compliance with treatment plans and regular court appearances.
First-time offenders may qualify for pretrial diversion involving drug education classes, community service, treatment programs, and supervision. Successful completion results in charge dismissal and potential record expunction.
Successful completion results in charge dismissal and potential record expunction. If your case qualifies, our attorneys will also help you pursue an expunction to clear your record and restore your reputation.
Our Defense Strategy for Drug Cases
Constitutional Challenges
We scrutinize every aspect of your arrest for Fourth Amendment violations:
Illegal Searches and Seizures
- Did officers have reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop?
- Was the search warrant valid and properly executed?
- Did police have probable cause to search your vehicle or property?
- Was consent to search voluntary and informed?
- Were K-9 units properly deployed?
Many Frisco drug arrests originate from traffic stops on the Dallas North Tollway, State Highway 121, or Preston Road that escalate into vehicle searches.
⚖️ In many Collin County prosecutions, defense success hinges on revealing unconstitutional traffic stops or faulty K-9 searches. Courts often dismiss entire cases if the initial stop lacked valid probable cause — a reminder that fairness begins with lawful procedure.
When police violate constitutional rights, we file motions to suppress evidence. Successful suppression often leads to case dismissal.
Evidence Challenges
Laboratory Analysis
We examine crime lab procedures, chain of custody documentation, analyst credentials, testing methodology, and potential contamination. Field tests are notoriously unreliable and often produce false positives.
Witness Credibility
Many drug cases rely on confidential informants or co-defendants seeking reduced sentences. We expose bias, inconsistencies, and credibility issues through aggressive cross-examination.
Legal Defenses
- Lack of Knowledge: You were unaware drugs were present
- Lack of Possession: Drugs belonged to someone else
- Lack of Intent: No evidence of intent to distribute
- Entrapment: Police induced criminal conduct
- Invalid Warrants: Search warrants based on false information
Negotiations
Our decades-long relationships with Collin County prosecutors enable favorable plea agreements including charge reductions, deferred adjudication, reduced sentences, and dismissals in exchange for treatment or education programs.
Trial Representation
When necessary, we take cases to trial. Our attorneys have achieved over 300 “Not Guilty” verdicts and dismissals in criminal cases through aggressive defense strategies and thorough trial preparation in Collin County courtrooms.
Our team has successfully defended hundreds of clients through Collin County criminal defense strategies built on decades of courtroom experience.
Why Choose Our Drug Possession Defense Lawyer In Frisco
Three Generations of Defense Experience
Since 1946, the McConathy family has defended clients against criminal charges. Richard “Tex” McConathy, the last person in Texas permitted to take the bar exam without law school, established our firm’s reputation for aggressive defense. Richard Charles McConathy continues that legacy with modern defense strategies.
Deep Collin County Experience
We appear regularly in Collin County district courts where Frisco drug cases are prosecuted.
Our familiarity with local judges, prosecutors, and court procedures—combined with our knowledge of how Collin County juries approach drug cases—gives our clients a significant advantage.
Extensive Trial Experience
- Over 6,000 criminal cases handled
- More than 1,000 cases dismissed
- 300+ not guilty verdicts
- Serving Frisco and surrounding communities since 2002
Professional Memberships
- Texas Criminal Lawyers’ Association
- Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association
- Collin County Bar Association
- Former Treasurer, Dallas Bar Association Criminal Law Section (2004-2006)
Consequences of Drug Convictions
For Frisco residents working at major employers like the Dallas Cowboys, PGA headquarters, T-Mobile, or other corporations in the area, drug convictions carry consequences beyond court-ordered penalties:
- Employment: Criminal records prevent hiring or cause termination, especially for professionals in corporate environments
- Professional Licenses: Doctors, nurses, teachers, and lawyers face license suspension or revocation
- Housing: Landlords reject applicants with drug convictions
- Education: Federal student aid becomes unavailable
- Immigration: Non-citizens face deportation
- Gun Rights: Felony convictions prohibit firearm possession
- Child Custody: Convictions affect parental rights determinations
⚠️ Beyond legal penalties, Texas employers can access certain conviction data for up to seven years under background check laws. A single felony can appear in national databases indefinitely unless formally expunged.
Get Immediate Legal Help From Our Drisco Drug Possession Attorney
Time is critical in drug cases. Evidence deteriorates, witnesses become unavailable, and prosecution strategies solidify. Early attorney involvement improves outcomes.
Free Case Evaluation
Our office is conveniently located to serve Frisco residents and we’re familiar with every step of the process from initial arrest by Frisco Police to prosecution in Collin County courts.
Available 24/7 for arrests and emergencies.
Call 197-230-38867 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your arrest details, explain potential penalties, identify defense strategies, and answer your questions about the criminal process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are penalties for drug possession in Texas?
Penalties depend on the drug type (penalty group) and amount possessed, ranging from Class B misdemeanors (180 days jail) for small marijuana amounts to first-degree felonies (5-99 years or life) for large quantities of cocaine or methamphetamine.
Can drug charges be dismissed?
Yes. Common dismissal grounds include illegal searches, lack of probable cause, chain of custody problems, faulty lab analysis, insufficient evidence, and successful diversion program completion.
What's the difference between possession and trafficking?
Possession involves personal use amounts. Trafficking involves manufacturing, delivery, or distribution based on large quantities, packaging evidence, scales, or actual sales. Trafficking carries significantly harsher penalties.
Should I talk to police without a lawyer?
No. Exercise your right to remain silent. Any statements made to police can be used against you. Request our attorney immediately and decline to answer questions until representation arrives.
Are all Texas drug crimes felonies?
No. Small marijuana amounts (under 2 oz) and some paraphernalia charges are misdemeanors. However, most controlled substance offenses involving Penalty Groups 1-4 are felonies, even for amounts less than one gram.
Local Frisco Resources
Frisco Police Department: 7200 Stonebrook Parkway, Frisco, TX 75034 – (972) 292-6010
Collin County Courts: www.collincountytx.gov/courts
Texas Controlled Substances Act: Chapter 481, Health & Safety Code
Treatment Referrals: SAMHSA National Helpline – 1-800-662-4357 (Free, confidential, 24/7)
Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy | Serving Frisco, Allen, McKinney, Plano, and all Collin County communities