Hotboxing is the practice of smoking marijuana in a car, small room, or other enclosed space to maximize the narcotic effect. Not everyone who is in such a space or in the vicinity of it can be charged with breaking the law. You should keep this in mind if you have been busted along with your friends for possession of a controlled substance.
The penalties for drug possession
The fines and penalties for possession are severe in the state of Texas. If you are found guilty of possessing a small amount of marijuana, you may only get one or two years in jail. However, if you are convicted of felony possession, say 400 grams or more, you can get life in prison and be forced to pay a $250,000 fine.
This is why an arrest for hotboxing must be taken seriously. You may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe you were catching up with old friends in an apartment or getting a ride home when others decided to light up marijuana cigarettes, close all the windows, and enjoy the sensation of the high. The fact that you were taken into custody means the police suspect you of possession, and that they intend to charge you.
How a criminal defense attorney can help
Your first call should be to a Fort Bend criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of John L. Venza. You must keep your wits about you and say nothing until your lawyer arrives. Simply being in a hotboxing space proves nothing. You are innocent until proven guilty, and you have a Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate yourself. Your Fort Bend drug crime defense attorney will advise you on how to answer the questions put to you by police. Or, if you are unable to, you can have your lawyer speak the authorities on your behalf.
The only persons who can be charged with drug possession are those who the police can prove actually had possession of illegal drugs. You cannot be charged for a crime because you associated with individuals who committed one. One of the first actions your Fort Bend criminal defense attorney will take is to review the evidence the police have against you. If there is none, then your lawyer will arrange for your immediate release.
If you have been caught in a hotboxing situation, you should call the Law Office of John L. Venza Jr. He is a tough, dedicated, and experienced Fort Bend drug crime defense attorney who will employ the law and the lack of police evidence to get an outcome that is favorable for you.