Despite what the news would have people believe, crime has been on a downward trend in the United States in recent years. Fewer crimes are being committed, fewer arrests are made by law enforcement, and fewer people are convicted of criminal offenses. However, this does not mean that crime has been completely eradicated or that those who commit crimes will go unpunished. In Tarrant County alone, tens of thousands of people are arrested and charged with crimes each year. Recently, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney released a report detailing some statistics related to crimes that were prosecuted over the past year. This report provides an indication of the types of offenses that are most likely to lead to arrests and criminal charges. Those who are facing these or other charges can seek representation from a skilled criminal defense attorney to determine the best approach to take during their cases.
Top 3 Criminal Charges in Tarrant County in Fiscal Year 2022
For the fiscal year of 2022, which covered the time between October 2021 and September 2022, the following types of charges resulted in the most criminal cases:
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Felony drug possession - 2,462 people were charged with possession of less than one gram of a controlled substance. Even though this is only a minuscule amount of drugs, an arrest for possession of a controlled substance can result in serious charges. For drugs that are included in Penalty Group 1 or 2 as detailed in the Texas Controlled Substances Act, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, possession of less than one gram is a State Jail Felony. A conviction on these charges will result in a minimum sentence of 180 days in a state jail and a maximum sentence of two years. A person who is convicted may also be fined as much as $10,000.
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