Drug Charge Lawyer Serving Williamson County, TX

Defending Williamson County Residents Accused of Drug Crimes

Williamson County covers a vast area that includes rural communities as well as populated towns such as Round Rock, Georgetown, and Cedar Park, and is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. Drug enforcement is a priority for law enforcement, and cases are often prosecuted aggressively. Traffic stops, undercover operations, searches and seizures, and sting operations result in a significant number of drug-related arrests across the county.

If you are facing drug charges, it is essential to have an experienced drug charge attorney on your side. Drug offenses are unique in that they often rely on proper classifications, scientific testing, and subjective evidence. Todd Ver Weire has more than 30 years of legal experience on both the prosecution and defense sides of the criminal justice system, allowing him to take a well-rounded approach and identify weaknesses in the state’s evidence when they exist.

The Texas Controlled Substances Act: How It Affects Drug Charges  

Cases involving drugs in Williamson County are shaped largely by the Texas Controlled Substances Act. This statute outlines how controlled substances are grouped into different schedules, often referred to as penalty groups. In general, substances placed in higher schedules carry more severe criminal penalties.

Controlled substances in Texas can be broken down as follows:

  • Schedule I: Substances considered to have no accepted medical use, such as heroin.
  • Schedule II: Highly regulated drugs with limited medical use, including cocaine and methamphetamine.
  • Schedule III: Substances with accepted medical uses and lower abuse potential, such as anabolic steroids or certain codeine-based medications.
  • Schedule IV: Prescription medications with recognized medical use, including Xanax or Valium.
  • Schedule V: Substances considered the least risky under Texas law, such as low-dose cough syrups containing codeine.

An experienced drug charge lawyer can review whether the substance in your case was properly classified and whether any errors occurred.

Drug Possession Charges in Williamson County

Under Texas drug laws, it is not necessary to prove ownership for someone to face a possession charge. The state only has to show that the accused had care, custody, or control over the substance, even temporarily.

Reliance on Circumstantial Evidence

People often find themselves facing possession charges without even knowing a substance was present. For example, an individual may still be charged with possession if a passenger in their car had a controlled substance on them, unbeknownst to the driver, and the person put that substance in the center console.

Circumstantial Evidence Can Be Challenged 

Being charged based on circumstantial evidence, such as proximity to a substance, does not mean a conviction is automatic. The state must still show a meaningful connection, such as knowledge of the substance or control over where it was kept.

A seasoned drug charge attorney like Todd Ver Weire can assess how evidence was discovered, who had access to the area, and whether proper procedures were followed during the search, arrest, and police interviews.

Drug Paraphernalia Charges

While possession of drug paraphernalia can result in standalone charges, these are often added to possession allegations. Drug paraphernalia refers to items that law enforcement believes were intended for the use, storage, or distribution of a controlled substance. Common examples include: 

  • Pipes or other smoking devices
  • Syringes or needles
  • Baggies or small plastic containers
  • Scales
  • Rolling papers
  • Grinders or similar tools

Standalone paraphernalia charges can be problematic because they often rely on assumptions, even though many of these items have lawful uses. Todd Ver Weire can review whether the allegations are supported by credible evidence.

What Drug Distribution Charges Involve

While drug charges involving simple possession are serious, distribution charges move up a level. Distribution charges focus on whether the state can show an intent to transfer drugs to another party.

How Distribution Is Alleged

Like other drug cases, distribution charges often rely on circumstantial evidence unless there is direct proof of a sale or transfer. This may include the quantity involved, how the substance was packaged, or communications such as phone calls and text messages.

The Role of Intent

Intent is central to drug distribution cases and is often inferred rather than directly proven. Penalties differ significantly from simple possession, and mischaracterized conduct can carry serious consequences.

A drug charge attorney in Williamson County can assess your case, review how conclusions about intent were reached, and determine whether they are supported by credible evidence.

Drug Trafficking Offenses 

While Texas does not have a specific drug trafficking statute, the term is commonly used for high-quantity cases that exceed statutory thresholds and fall into more serious felony categories with harsher penalties.

How a substance was weighed, tested, and classified often determines whether a case is treated as trafficking rather than lower-level possession or distribution. A criminal defense attorney who handles drug charges can review whether the evidence against you supports that level of charge.

Drug DWI Charges

DWI is commonly associated with alcohol, but these charges can apply to controlled substances as well. The key distinction between these types of cases is that there is no numerical threshold used to determine drug impairment.

Police officers rely on field sobriety tests, observations, and chemical testing to assess drug impairment. The subjective nature of these tests can be problematic, and a drug charge attorney can review whether the traffic stop was lawful, whether testing was conducted properly, and whether evidence was handled correctly.

Potential Penalties for Drug Charges in Williamson County

Depending on the substance, quantity, and charge involved, potential penalties include: 

  • Drug Possession: From up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine to 180 days to life in prison, with fines up to $10,000.
  • Drug Paraphernalia: A Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
  • Drug Distribution (Delivery): Felony charges carrying two years to life in prison, with fines that may reach $10,000 or more.
  • High-Quantity Drug Cases (Trafficking-Level): Among the most serious drug offenses, with penalties ranging up to life imprisonment and substantial fines.
  • Drug-Related DWI: Up to 180 days in jail, fines up to $2,000, and possible license suspension.

Facing Drug Charges in Williamson County? Contact the Law Office of W. Todd Ver Weire

With more than 30 years of experience as both a prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer, Todd Ver Weire brings a perspective that few attorneys can offer. He has also served as program defense counsel for the Williamson County Veterans Treatment Court (WCVTC) and the Williamson County DWI/Drug Court (DDCP), providing firsthand experience with substance-related cases and treatment-focused alternatives.

Todd can review the facts of your case, assess the evidence, and determine whether the charges filed are supported by the law. To request a consultation, contact our defense law firm today. You can also reach our Williamson County law office by phone at (512) 368-7202.