Drug charge defense in Ellis County

This page covers drug cases in Ellis County: where they are heard, who prosecutes them and the local programs the county and its prosecutors run. Our office is in downtown Dallas at 325 N St. Paul Street; we handle cases in the Ellis County courts. For Texas-wide law, see our drug charges guide, and for other charges see the Ellis County criminal defense page.

Which courts hear drug cases in Ellis County?

Ellis County misdemeanor drug cases, such as small amounts of marijuana or Penalty Group 3 pills under 28 grams, are heard in County Courts at Law No. 2 and No. 3 on the third floor at 109 S. Jackson St., Waxahachie. Felony drug cases go to the district courts in the same building.

Who prosecutes drug cases in Ellis County?

The Ellis County and District Attorney's Office prosecutes drug cases at every level. Because the level of many drug charges turns on the lab-reported weight, the lab report is often the first thing to review.

What happens after a drug arrest in Ellis County?

Drug arrests in Ellis County are usually booked at the Ellis County Jail, 300 S. Jackson St. Bond in a drug case often includes testing. If you are later placed in pretrial intervention, supervision is by the Ellis County CSCD at 202 Clift St.

What drug programs does Ellis County run?

Ellis County has two pretrial intervention programs, both administered by the CSCD with eligibility decided solely by the DA's office. The felony program covers only non-violent state jail felony drug offenses on or after January 1, 2019, for people aged 17 to 24 at the time of the offense. The misdemeanor program is for people aged 17 to 26 at the time of the offense. Both require no prior arrests, no prior adjudications and no documented history of violent behavior, and the county says there are no exceptions to the application requirements. Felony intervention supervision lasts up to 12 months.

What Texas drug law applies?

Most drug possession cases are charged under the Health and Safety Code chapter 481, and the level depends on the penalty group and the weight. For example, possessing less than one gram of a Penalty Group 1 substance is a state jail felony (Health and Safety Code 481.115). Marijuana possession of two ounces or less is a Class B misdemeanor (481.121). Charges can rise with larger amounts, a drug-free zone or an allegation of intent to deliver.

Common defense issues include whether the stop and search were legal, whether the substance was actually tested and weighed by a lab, and whether the State can prove you knowingly possessed it. Programs such as pretrial diversion and drug court can lead to a dismissal or a lighter outcome, but eligibility rules differ from county to county.

How is Penalty Group 1 possession graded?

What should I do now?

• Keep every drug test and court date set as a bond condition.
• Write down how the stop and search happened: the reason given, whether you consented and who was present.
• Do not discuss the case on recorded jail calls or social media.
• Ask about program eligibility early, since some programs screen out people with prior supervision.

How do I get started?

The first consultation is free. It is with a Director of Client Engagement, not an attorney. Clients who hire us work with an attorney. Call (214) 239-2013 or start a chat. Phones and chat are answered 24/7, with AI covering when no staff is free.

Last updated October 2026