Texas Laws and Penalties (2024)

  • Local Decriminalization
  • Drugged Driving
  • Low THC
  • Mandatory Minimum Sentence
OffensePenaltyIncarcerationMax. Fine

Possession

2 oz or lessMisdemeanor180 days$ 2,000
2 - 4 ozMisdemeanor1 year$ 4,000
4 oz to 5 lbsFelony180 days* - 2 years$ 10,000
5 - 50 lbsFelony2* - 10 years$ 10,000
50 - 2000 lbsFelony2* - 20 years$ 10,000
More than 2000 lbsFelony5* - 99 years$ 50,000
* Mandatory minimum sentence

Sale

7 g or less for no remunerationMisdemeanor180 days$ 2,000
7 g or lessMisdemeanor1 year$ 4,000
7 g to 5 lbsFelony180 days* - 2 years$ 10,000
5 - 50 lbsFelony2* - 20 years$ 10,000
50 - 2000 lbsFelony5* - 99 years$ 10,000
More than 2000 lbsFelony10* - 99 years$ 100,000
To a minorFelony2* - 20 years$ 10,000
* Mandatory minimum sentence

Cultivation

See Possession section for penalty details.

Hash & Concentrates

Possession of less than 1 gFelony180 days* - 2 years$ 10,000
Possession of 1 - 4 gFelony2* - 10 years$ 10,000
Possession of 4 - 400 gFelony2* - 20 years$ 10,000
Possession of more than 400 gFelony10 years* - life$ 50,000
Manufacture or delivery of less than 1 gFelony180 days* - 2 years$ 10,000
Manufacture or delivery of 1 - 4 gFelony2 - 20 years$ 10,000
Manufacture or delivery of 4 - 400 gFelony5 - 99 years$ 10,000
Manufacture or delivery of more than 400 gFelony10 years - life$ 10,000
* Mandatory minimum sentence

Paraphernalia

Possession of paraphernaliaMisdemeanorN/A$ 500
Sale of paraphernalia (first offense)Misdemeanor1 year$ 4,000
Sale of paraphernalia (subsequent offense)Felony90 days* - 1 year$ 4,000
To a minorFelony180 days* - 2 years$ 10,000
* Mandatory minimum sentence

Miscellaneous

Falsifying a drug testMisdemeanor180 days$ 2,000

Penalty Details

Possession

Possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $2,000.

Possession of between 2 and 4 ounces of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year and a fine not to exceed $4,000.

Possession of between 4 ounces and 5 pounds of marijuana is a felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days imprisonment, a maximum of 2 years imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Possession of between 5 pounds and 50 pounds of marijuana is a felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of no less than 2 years imprisonment, a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Possession of between 50 pounds and 2,000 lbs of marijuana is a Second Degree felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment, a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Possession of more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana is a felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, a maximum sentence of 99 years, and a fine of no more than $50,000.

Sale

The sale or delivery of 7 grams of marijuana or less, as a gift, is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $2,000.

The sale or delivery of 7 grams of marijuana or less, is a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year and a fine not to exceed $4,000.

The sale or delivery of between 7 grams and 5 pounds is a felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days imprisonment, a maximum of 2 years imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

The sale or delivery of between 5 pounds and 50 pounds of marijuana is a second degree felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment, a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

The sale or delivery of between 50 pounds and 2,000 pounds of marijuana is a first degree felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

The sale or delivery of more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana is a felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $100,000.

Selling marijuana to a child is a Second Degree felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 2 years imprisonment, a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Cultivation

Cultivation in Texas will be punished based upon the aggregate weight of the plants found. See the “Possession” section for further penalty details.

Hash & Concentrates

Hashish and concentrates are not considered marijuana.

Possession of hashish or concentrates is a crime. If hashish or concentrates is less than one gram, the offense is considered a state jail felony punishable by mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 180 days and up to 2 years and a fine no greater than $10,000.

If the amount of hashish or concentrates is more than 1 gram but less than 4 grams, the offense is considered a felony of the third degree punishable by a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 2 years andup to 10 years and a fine no greater than $10,000.

If the amount of hashish or concentrates is greater than 4 grams but less than 400 grams, the offense is considered a felony in the second degree punishable by a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 2 years and up to 20 years and a fine no greater than $10,000.

If the amount of hashish or concentrates is more than 400 grams, the offense is punishable by lifetime imprisonment or a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and no greater 99 years and a fine no greater than $50,000.

Manufacturing and selling hashish or concentrates also is a crime. If the amount of hashish or concentrates is less than 1 gram, the offense is considered a state jail felony punishable by a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 180 days and up to 2 years and a fine no greater than $10,000.

If the amount of hashish or concentrates is more than 1 gram but less than four grams, the offense is considered a felony of the second degree punishable by a term of imprisonment no less than 2 years and no greater than 20 years and a fine no greater than $10,000.

If the amount of hashish or concentrates is more than 4 grams but less than 400 grams, the offense is considered a felony of the first degree punishable by a term of imprisonment no less than 5 years and no greater than 99 years and a fine no greater than $10,000.

If the amount of hashish or concentrates is greater than 400 grams, the offense is punishable by lifetime imprisonment or a term of imprisonment no less than 10 years and no greater than 99 years and a fine no greater than $100,000.

The sale of hashish or concentrates to a person under 18 years of age or a person enrolled in primary or secondary school is a felony, punishable by a term of imprisonment no less than 2 years and no greater than 20 years and a fine no greater than $10,000. This is only applicable if the offender is older than 18 years of age.

Any device used for the purpose of creating hashish or concentrates is considered drug paraphernalia. Possession of any such device is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine no greater than $500. Manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver any such device is a misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment no greater than 1 year and/or a fine no greater than $4,000.

Paraphernalia

Possession of paraphernalia is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

Selling, or possessing with intent to sell or deliver, paraphernalia is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment of up to 1 year and a fine not to exceed $4,000, unless the offender has previously been convicted of this offense, in which case the offense is a felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 days imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 1 year imprisonment.

Selling paraphernalia to a minor is a state jail felony, punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence of 180 days imprisonment, a maximum of 2 years imprisonment, and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Miscellaneous

Falsifying a drug test, or possessing with intent to use any material for the falsification of a drug test, is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $2,000.

Texas Laws and Penalties (2024)

FAQs

What is the penalty for a felony in Texas? ›

Just below the capital felonies category is the first-degree felonies category. These felonies carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years incarceration. Generally, a conviction for a first-degree felony means you potentially face 5 to 99 years or life imprisonment.

Can you get probation for a 2nd degree felony in Texas? ›

Second Degree Felony Punishment – Texas Penal Code § 12.33

Depending on a person's criminal history, probation (Community Supervision) or deferred adjudication may be an option for a 2nd Degree Felony in Texas. The length of probation may be from 2 years to 10 years.

What is mistake of fact in Texas? ›

MISTAKE OF FACT. (a) It is a defense to prosecution that the actor through mistake formed a reasonable belief about a matter of fact if his mistaken belief negated the kind of culpability required for commission of the offense.

What is the maximum sentence for a misdemeanor in Texas? ›

Misdemeanors in Texas are crimes punishable by up to one year in local or county jail.

What is the 3 felony rule in Texas? ›

If you have been convicted of three felonies, or 'three strikes', the prison sentencing you face will be much longer, from 15 or 25 to life. Texas is one of many states to enact a 'three strike' law, enforcing harsher punishments for those who have committed numerous crimes and are likely to do so again.

Do felonies go away after 7 years in Texas? ›

There is a common myth that criminal charges are automatically removed after 7 years, however, this is simply not true.

Can a felony be dropped in Texas? ›

Fortunately, being charged with a felony does not necessarily mean you will be convicted. In fact, your charges may be dismissed or dropped before your trial even begins. Judges can dismiss a case either on the motion of the defendant or on their own motion. In most cases, though, the prosecution will drop the charges.

Do first time felony offenders go to jail in Texas? ›

The Texas felony charge act for first-time offenders provides leniency for first-time offenders. Instead of giving them the maximum sentence of a felony that is 2 to 99 years in jail, they are all taken through rehabilitation and counseling and sometimes even community service.

What is the minimum sentence for a second degree felony in Texas? ›

SECOND DEGREE FELONY PUNISHMENT. (a) An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the second degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for any term of not more than 20 years or less than 2 years.

What are unbelievable laws in Texas? ›

No Eating Your Neighbor's Garbage

This one doesn't have context, but there are some towns in Texas where it is illegal to dig into your neighbor's trash for food (or anything else). You can be charged with property theft, and even trespassing. Raccoons, take note.

What is a false statement in Texas law? ›

The Texas False Report To Peace Officer, Federal Special Investigator, Law Enforcement Employee, Corrections Officer, Or Jailer law gives police the right to arrest you if they believe you tried to deceive law enforcement by making a “material” false statement about a criminal investigation to law enforcement including ...

What are the two types of mistakes in respect to criminal law? ›

Mistake of fact and mistake of law are both valid legal defenses a defendant might use to challenge certain criminal charges.

What is the most serious misdemeanor? ›

A first-degree misdemeanor charge is the most serious form of a misdemeanor. A conviction for one can cost you up to six months in jail and $2,500 in fines for a first offense. First-degree misdemeanor crimes include: DUIs.

What is the most serious misdemeanor in Texas? ›

Class A Misdemeanors: This is the most serious level of misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $4,000 and/or up to one year in county jail. Examples of Class A misdemeanors include DWI (first offense). Assault causing bodily injury, and theft of property worth between $750 and $2,500.

How many days in jail is a $500 fine in Texas? ›

Class C Misdemeanor: Fines of up to $500 but no jail time. Class B Misdemeanor: Fines of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail. Class A Misdemeanor: Fines of up to $4,000 and a jail sentence of up to one year.

What is the most common punishment for a felony? ›

Penalties are generally six to 30 years. Class 1 felonies include burglary, sexual assault, and second-degree murder. Penalties are generally four to 15 years. Class 2 felonies include aggravated domestic battery causing severe injury and robbery.

What is the most common felony in Texas? ›

#1: Drugs. While drug-related offenses are common in every state, it's a major problem in Texas. Drug offenses make up the majority of Texas arrests, which includes possession.

Is jail time mandatory for state jail felony in Texas? ›

Defendants facing state jail felony charges can be sentenced to probation, instead of jail time. Probation keeps a defendant out of jail.

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