Tag Archives: Fort Worth

Failed Senate Bill Highlights the Ongoing THC/Cannabis Struggle

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When you count not falling further behind as a victory, you know you’re in a tough position. All over the country, legislators are easing restrictions on the use or possession of marijuana and THC products.

The rapid changes may lead to confusion and tragedy. Something that is legal in Oklahoma can lead to a felony conviction in Texas. While advocates are also fighting for cannabis reform here in Texas, other people are looking to push us even further down the road of criminalization.

Senate Bill 264

Hemp, which was once illegal across the country, has been legal federally and in Texas for several years. Hemp-derived CBD products are legal, provided they have a low enough concentration of delta-9 THC. The makers of these products have sought to avoid higher delta-9 THC concentrations in several ways, including by creating products that contain delta-8 THC from a laboratory.

Senate Bill 264 attempted to take aim at these lab-created products, basically expanding the current ban to more products. Fortunately, SB 264 died in committee. That means the Texas laws against cannabis and cannabis-related products, which are already among the most restrictive in the country, will not be getting harsher.

No Move Toward Legalization

Public attitudes regarding marijuana have undoubtedly softened in recent years. Many people are shocked to learn about the severity of the penalties for possession of THC oil, cannabis concentrates, and related products. While the general population would likely favor an easing of these restrictions, Texas lawmakers remain committed to the status quo.

A teenager caught with a vape pen containing THC oil residue could be jailed for up to two years. If you are arrested in connection with any of these products, you cannot afford to underestimate the trouble you’re in. While other states may have free-wheeling attitudes and laws to match, Texas law makes THC possession a deadly serious criminal matter.

Medical Marijuana Is Strictly Limited

The Compassionate Use Program (CUP) carefully regulates who has access to medical marijuana and what they can use or possess. It is only available to people with qualifying health conditions. Only a limited number of registered doctors can prescribe the products, and those products are restricted to low THC concentrations. Even if you have one of these conditions and use marijuana to treat it, you are breaking the law if you don’t go through CUP.

The people suffering these conditions may find that the available products don’t meet their needs. If you get the products you need in another state, just know that bringing them back to Texas is a crime, and you can be arrested and charged for your actions.

Strong Marijuana Defense Attorneys in the Fort Worth Area

If you have been arrested for possession of THC oil or cannabis concentrates, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney. Without a lawyer on your side, you will likely find the criminal justice system almost impossible to navigate.

At Lee & Wood, LP, we have the skill to protect your rights with a strong defense. Call us today at 817-678-6771 or contact us online to learn more.

Exoneration Numbers Highlight the Importance of Criminal Defense Attorneys

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The viewpoint that putting an innocent person in jail is worse than letting a guilty person go free helps shape criminal defense law. It might not be how the jury sees it, however. The number of wrongful convictions that were overturned in 2022 reached an all-time record. Every exoneration is proof that everyone, innocent or not, needs a strong criminal defense lawyer.

Exonerations Are too Rare to Be a Reliable Strategy

A criminal trial and, potentially, an appeal are generally the end of the line. The record number of exonerations set last year was still a meager 238 nationwide. Your best chance of a good result in the criminal justice system is to be found innocent in your initial trial.

As soon as you are arrested or charged, you need to speak to an attorney who understands criminal defense. Misdemeanors, felonies, and juvenile offenses should all be handled by an experienced legal team. You are far more likely to beat the charges by acting quickly than you are by hoping for an exoneration after your conviction.

Unreliable Evidence

According to the Innocence Project, most of the wrongful convictions they’ve helped overturn included eyewitness misidentification and the incorrect use of forensic science. While this type of evidence is not a part of all criminal cases, it’s worth considering that criminal courts can make mistakes.

In addition to evidence problems, the Innocence Project cites coerced pleas, misconduct by government officials, and inadequate defense as problems that can lead to a wrongful conviction. Importantly, each of these issues can be mitigated or even avoided by a skilled criminal defense attorney.

The Right to Remain Silent and Why You Should Use it

False confessions are another key factor in many exonerations. If you’ve never been through the criminal justice system, it might be easy to wonder why anyone would confess to a crime they didn’t commit. There are many reasons why false confessions occur, but most of them are the intentional result of police interrogation tactics. Investigators know how to pressure and even lie to people to get them to admit to wrongs they never committed.

A police interrogation is unlike anything people experience in their ordinary lives. False confessions are often secured after many, many hours of interrogation. People don’t understand what it’s like until they go through it. That’s why it’s always a good idea to remain silent when it comes to police questioning. Nothing you say will get the police on your side. They are only looking for ways to convict you. Saying nothing makes that much harder for them to do.

If You’re Facing Criminal Charges, Contact Us Now

Our Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys have the experience and skill you need. Getting through the criminal justice system takes careful guidance, hard work, and planning.

At Lee & Wood, LP, you will get a strong defense carefully tailored to your situation. The goal is to get the best possible result for you, whether through pretrial negotiations or in the courtroom. Call us to schedule a confidential consultation at 817-678-6771 or contact us online to get started as soon as possible.