Principal Office
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 233-5700
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 233-5700
Years Defending Texans
Cases Dismissed
Criminal Cases Handled
Counties Served Across Texas
Available | Serving All of Texas
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.
📌 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:
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 |
Prosecutors upgrade possession charges to distribution based on:
Distribution charges carry significantly harsher penalties, including first-degree felonies with sentences up to 99 years or life in prison.
Trafficking involves interstate transportation or large-scale distribution. These cases often include:
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.
Manufacturing charges apply to producing, processing, or cultivating controlled substances, including:
Texas has not decriminalized marijuana. Penalties include:
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.
Several factors increase the severity of drug charges:
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.
The Drug Court Program offers non-violent offenders with substance abuse issues an alternative to traditional prosecution through:
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.
We scrutinize every aspect of your arrest for Fourth Amendment violations:
Illegal Searches and Seizures
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
⚠️ 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.
Time is critical in drug cases. Evidence deteriorates, witnesses become unavailable, and prosecution strategies solidify. Early attorney involvement improves outcomes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Whether you're facing a felony charge or fighting a traffic ticket, every case deserves serious attention. Get an experienced defense team in your corner now.
