Texas isn’t giving up on the war on drugs in any fashion, and the penalties for any kind of drug-related offense are pretty severe. While drug paraphernalia charges are often tacked onto other charges, they can exist solely on their own – and the penalties can be quite severe.
Unfortunately, social attitudes around certain types of drug use may have changed just enough that people no longer think twice about having drug paraphernalia in plain view in their cars or homes or on their persons, and that can be a disaster.
Almost anything can be drug paraphernalia if the prosecutor wants it to be
The reality is that almost anything can be considered drug paraphernalia if it can possibly be used to inhale, inject or distribute drugs of any kind. That means you can expect the police to scrutinize both items that are obviously drug-related (like glass pipes) and things that may have common household uses, like a food scale.
Other items that may be defined as drug paraphernalia by the authorities include:
- ● Roach clips
- ● Grinders
- ● Gel capsules
- ● Rolling papers
- ● Ziploc baggies
- ● Latex balloons
- ● Bongs
- ● Hookahs
- ● Sifters
- ● Syringes
- ● Spoons
- ● Vapes
- ● Burners
- Mere possession of drug paraphernalia is a Class C misdemeanor, while a conviction for delivering drug paraphernalia to another or possession with the intent to deliver is a Class A misdemeanor. If the circumstances meet certain criteria, sharing a pipe with an underage friend can end up getting you charged with a felony.
- It’s also important to realize that you can be charged for each item in your possession, and the charges and penalties can stack up. Prosecutors aren’t above charging you with multiple “counts” of possession of drug paraphernalia in order to intimidate you into accepting a plea deal.
- That’s why it’s so critical to act quickly to secure a solid defense and protect your rights if you’re facing charges.