Drug Crime Defense: David Smith Law Firm in Houston

What Is the Cost to Hire a Private Investigator for a Criminal Defense Case?

A man wearing a hat

When facing criminal charges in Texas, the evidence presented by the prosecution can feel insurmountable. However, what law enforcement uncovers—or fails to uncover—is often only part of the story. A private investigator can be a crucial asset for your defense, but the pressing question is always: what is the cost to hire a private investigator? […]

Plea Bargaining in Drug Crime Defense

A defense attorney reviewing a plea agreement with a client in a courthouse meeting room, symbolizing plea bargaining in a Texas drug case.

Plea Bargaining in Drug Crime Defense Negotiating for Lesser Charges or Alternative Sentencing in Texas Not every drug case in Texas goes to trial. In fact, most don’t. Instead, many cases are resolved through plea bargaining—a legal negotiation between the prosecution and defense that can lead to reduced charges, lighter sentencing, or even opportunities to […]

Suppression of Illegally Obtained Evidence

A defense attorney reviewing documents before a suppression hearing in a Texas courtroom, symbolizing the fight to exclude illegal drug evidence.

Suppression of Illegally Obtained Evidence Filing Pre-Trial Motions to Dismiss Drug Charges in Texas In Texas drug cases, the state’s evidence is everything. If police find drugs in your car, your pocket, or your house, that evidence becomes the backbone of the prosecution. But here’s something most people don’t realize: If that evidence was collected […]

Using Witness Credibility to Challenge Testimony

A courtroom scene showing a defense attorney cross-examining a nervous witness, symbolizing a challenge to witness credibility in a Texas drug case.

Using Witness Credibility to Challenge Testimony How to Weaken the Prosecution’s Case in a Texas Drug Trial In many Texas drug cases, the most damaging evidence doesn’t come from lab reports or surveillance—it comes from someone’s word. That someone might be a confidential informant, a co-defendant trying to save their own skin, or a police […]

Consent and Misidentification Defense

A close-up of prescription pills and a legal document proving authorization, symbolizing a consent or misidentification defense in a Texas drug case.

Consent and Misidentification Defense Legal Use vs. Mistaken Accusations in Texas Drug Crime Cases Not everyone charged with a drug crime in Texas is actually guilty. Sometimes, what looks like illegal possession or distribution is actually a lawful use of medication. Other times, the police or a witness simply gets it wrong—misidentifying a person, a substance, or […]

Duress or Coercion in Drug Offenses

 A person sitting in a dimly lit police interview room with their hands folded, symbolizing fear and coercion in Texas drug cases.

Duress or Coercion in Drug Offenses When Defendants Acted Under Pressure or Threat in Texas Drug Cases Sometimes, people commit crimes not out of choice—but out of fear. Maybe someone threatened to hurt you or your family. Maybe a gang member told you to deliver a package or “take the fall” for something you didn’t […]

No Intent to Distribute Defense

A close-up image of drug evidence, cash, and a digital scale in a police evidence room, symbolizing an intent to distribute defense in Texas drug cases.

No Intent to Distribute Defense Fighting Back Against Elevated Drug Charges in Texas In Texas, the difference between simple possession and possession with intent to distribute can mean the difference between probation and prison. Prosecutors often try to elevate drug charges by claiming you intended to sell, even when there’s no proof of an actual transaction. But […]

Challenging Lab Results and Drug Testing

A forensic drug lab bench with vials, evidence bags, and a report under review, symbolizing challenges to drug test results in Texas court.

Challenging Lab Results and Drug Testing How Errors in Drug Testing Can Be Exposed in Texas Criminal Cases When prosecutors bring drug charges in Texas, they rely heavily on one piece of evidence: the lab report. If the lab says it was cocaine, meth, THC oil, or any other controlled substance—case closed, right? Not so […]

Entrapment in Drug Crime Cases

Confidential informant pressuring a hesitant individual during a covert meeting, representing entrapment in Texas drug cases and the importance of an attorney near you.

Entrapment in Drug Crime Cases When Law Enforcement Crosses the Line in Texas You’ve been charged with a drug offense—but you didn’t go looking for it. Maybe someone pressured you into it. Maybe the “friend” who introduced you to the deal was working with the police. Maybe the whole thing felt like a setup. If […]

Lack of Possession: Actual vs. Constructive

A courtroom evidence photo showing a bag of drugs on a car console with no one in possession, symbolizing constructive possession defenses in Texas.

Lack of Possession: Actual vs. Constructive How Proximity to Drugs Can Be Challenged in Texas Drug Cases In Texas drug crime cases, possession isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. You don’t have to be caught with drugs in your hands or your pockets to be arrested. In fact, many people are charged simply because […]