Drug charge defense in Kaufman County

This page covers drug cases in Kaufman 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 Kaufman County courts. For Texas-wide law, see our drug charges guide, and for other charges see the Kaufman County criminal defense page.

Which courts hear drug cases in Kaufman County?

In Kaufman County, felony drug cases, such as most possession of a Penalty Group 1 substance, are heard in the 86th, 422nd and 489th District Courts. Misdemeanor drug cases, such as small amounts of marijuana, go to the County Courts at Law. Both are at the Kaufman County Justice Center, 1902 E. US Hwy 175, Kaufman.

Who prosecutes drug cases in Kaufman County?

The Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney's Office prosecutes drug cases at both levels. Because the charge level often depends on the weight a lab reports, the lab result is one of the first things to review.

What happens after a drug arrest in Kaufman County?

Drug arrests in Kaufman County are usually booked at the Kaufman County Jail, 1900 E. US Hwy 175. Bond in a drug case often comes with conditions such as testing. If the case later goes to pretrial diversion, the Pretrial Bond Supervision Department supervises it.

What drug programs does Kaufman County run?

The state specialty court registry lists the Kaufman County 422nd District Drug Treatment Court, a treatment court run out of one of the county's felony courts. The Criminal District Attorney's Pretrial Diversion Program is a separate path: it is a contract with the prosecutor, supervision runs up to 18 months for a felony or one year for a misdemeanor, and completion leads to rejection or dismissal of the charge. The DA decides who is accepted, and the program accepts only certain offense types.

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