Last Thursday, Dallas police officers seized over 100 pounds of methamphetamine. The narcotics offers had performed a routine traffic stop on a man they suspected of selling methamphetamine. When they searched his vehicle, they found over 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine. After officers made the stop, they secured a search warrant for the suspect’s home. When they searched the home, they found over 100 additional pounds of meth.
Law Enforcement Have Made Several Large Drug Busts
Law enforcement officers have arrested the suspect and taken him into custody. In April, officers from the Dallas Narcotics Division arrested another suspect after they found 34.5 kilograms of methamphetamine while searching his vehicle. Narcotics divisions often use traffic stops as a way to search the vehicles of suspects for drugs in their vehicles.
Illegal Search and Seizures
When law enforcement officers engage in an illegal search and seizure, defendants can ask the court to toss out any evidence gathered from those illegal searches. If you are facing drug trafficking charges in Dallas, it is important to contact a skilled defense lawyer as soon as possible. At the Abel Law Firm, we will investigate all of the circumstances of the search conducted by law enforcement to see if they engaged in an illegal search and seizure.
Under Texas law, manslaughter is defined broadly. The crime of manslaughter includes several different types of actions, ranging from striking and killing someone in a vehicle to protecting yourself from an attack. There are two types of manslaughter — involuntary and voluntary. The penalties from manslaughter can include years in prison along with thousands of dollars of fines. If you are facing manslaughter charges in Texas, here are a few key defenses you may be able to utilize during your criminal trial.
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The Heat of the Moment Defense
In Texas, you can raise the defense that you caused the killing in the heat of the moment. You will need to show that you were flooded with emotion like rage or fear, due to extreme circumstances. When defendants make the heat of passion defense, they are admitting that they did kill someone, but that they did not have control over their emotions when they did so. If an individual. The heat of the moment or heat of passion defense is often used to reduce first or second-degree murder charges to manslaughter.
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Self-Defense
One of the best defenses for manslaughter is self-defense. If you claim self-defense, you will need to show that you were intentionally provoked and you only caused the other person’s death as a way to prevent your own death. Under Texas law, defendants have a right to use deadly force when they have a reasonable expectation of being killed or severely harmed by the other person.
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Insanity
The insanity defense is more difficult to make, but it is equally important. You will need to prove that you were legally insane at the time of the killing. You will also need to prove that your insanity caused you to act in a way that caused the death of another person. Part of using the insanity defense will be showing that you did not know the difference between right and wrong when the killing happened, or that you have a mental health condition that drove your actions.
If the defendant meets the definition of insanity under Texas law, Texas courts will not hold them accountable for the manslaughter charge. The insanity defense is difficult to prove. If you or your loved one plans on using this defense, it is wise to speak to an experienced Dallas criminal lawyer as soon as possible.
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Constitutional Violations
In many cases, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies do not follow the constitutional restrictions placed on their actions. For example, when they engage in search and seizures, they need to uphold the suspect’s Constitutional rights, as enumerated in the fourth and fifth amendments of the constitution.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer as Soon as Possible
If you are facing manslaughter charges in Texas, Attorney Christopher Abel can help. Contact our Dallas criminal defense law firm today to schedule your initial consultation. We can help you develop a strategic legal defense.
Facing Drug Trafficking Charges in Texas
Under Texas law, you can be faced with drug trafficking charges for manufacturing, delivering, or possessing certain illegal drugs with the intent to deliver those drugs. Depending on the amount of drugs in your possession, prosecutors will not even need to prove that you intended to distribute the drugs to charge you with drug trafficking. For example, If you possess a large amount of illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine, you can face drug trafficking charges.
The seriousness of the drug charges and the penalties depend on the type of illegal substance. Under the Texas Controlled Substances Act, there are four groups or categories of illegal drugs. Marijuana is in its own category of drugs. Group 1 drugs are the most addictive and dangerous drugs, including the following:
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Methamphetamine
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Cocaine
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Heroin
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Oxycodone
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Ketamine
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GHB
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Rohypnol
The Penalties for Drug Trafficking Methamphetamine in Texas
Possession of less than one gram of meth carries a fine of up to $10,000 and up to two years in prison. Possession of four to 199 grams of methamphetamine carries a sentence of two to 10 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. If you possess 400 or more grams of meth, you will be charged with an “enhanced” first-degree felony crime, with a sentence of a $10,000 fine and a prison sentence of between 10 to 99-years in prison. When a prosecutor can prove intent to distribute, you will face similar severe penalties.
Contact a Dallas Drug Crimes Defense Lawyer Today
If you are facing drug trafficking charges, our lawyers can help. Contact our Dallas criminal defense law firm today to schedule your initial consultation. We can help you develop a strategic legal defense.