It is no secret that Texas law is tough on crime, especially infractions involving controlled substances. Even considering this default hard-line stance, enforcement could border on overzealous when the alleged crimes include possession or delivery of penalty group one substances. If you stood accused of such a crime, it would likely be in your best interest to build the strongest case possible in your defense: the stakes tend to be high in these situations.
If you were convicted of a crime associated with any drug in penalty group one, you would have a felony on your record. Your minimum sentence could range from 180 days to 15 years. These penalties would be for possession with intent to deliver — under a gram to over 400 grams, respectively.
The Texas Controlled Substances Act includes an exhaustive list of controlled substances in several penalty groups. Penalty group one contains the drugs that legislators determined to be the most damaging to the public good, and therefore those associated with the most extreme sanctions. Among these substances are some of the most common felony controlled substances:
- Cocaine
- Opiates
- Methamphetamine
In addition to PG1, there is a penalty group one-A for substances that are typically traded in units rather than by weight. The most prominent of these is LSD. If you were convicted of a delivery crime with a drug from the PG1A category, you would face similar jail time as if you were convicted for a comparable offense level involving PG1 drugs. This is not meant as legal advice. It is only meant to educate you.