In Texas, a drug case often comes down to a number on a scale. Less than one gram of meth or cocaine is a state jail felony. Cross four grams, and the same charge becomes a second-degree felony with up to 20 years in prison. The pill, the powder, and the filler all count toward that weight. So the lawyer you hire for a Fort Worth drug charge needs to know the lab, the penalty groups, and the Tarrant County courtrooms inside and out.
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Key Takeaways
Sloane Law Firm is the best overall choice for drug crime defense in Fort Worth this year. Founder David Sloane served as a police lieutenant before he became a defense lawyer, and his firm has handled only criminal cases since 1997. Its drug practice covers every major Texas penalty group, marijuana, trafficking, and federal charges. The other five firms each fit a specific kind of case, explained below.
Fort Worth Drug Crime Firms at a Glance
| Firm | Drug Charges Handled | Experience | Credentials | Best Fit |
| Sloane Law Firm | Possession (Penalty Groups 1-3), marijuana, sales, trafficking, manufacturing, federal drug crimes, asset forfeiture | Criminal defense only since 1997, 50+ years combined, 1,000+ clients | 200+ five-star reviews, founder is a former police lieutenant and academy instructor | Cases where the stop or search looks weak |
| Varghese Summersett | Possession, delivery, drug-free zone cases, federal charges | 700+ jury trials, 1,600+ dismissals firmwide | Four Board Certified criminal law attorneys | Large-quantity or federal cases |
| Daniel, Moore, Evans, Biggs, Decker & Smid | Drug offenses, federal crimes, post-conviction appeals | Six-attorney downtown practice | Four attorneys Board Certified in criminal law | Drug convictions that need an appeal |
| Carreras Law Group | Misdemeanor and felony drug cases, federal drug charges | Former prosecutor leads the firm | Board Certified, Fort Worth Magazine Top Attorneys (2018) | Non-citizens facing deportation risk |
| Cole Paschall Law | Possession, trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, marijuana, juvenile cases | 50+ years combined | Former judge plus a Board Certified specialist | Teens and young adults |
What We Weighed
Every firm here lists drug defense as a core practice. Each one tries cases at the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, where almost every Tarrant County drug case lands. We also looked for credentials anyone can check, such as Board Certification from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
1. Sloane Law Firm
Most drug arrests in Tarrant County start with a traffic stop or a search. David Sloane used to be the officer running those stops. He worked as a police lieutenant and taught at police academies before he opened his defense practice in 1997. He knows the rules officers must follow, and he knows where reports tend to leave gaps. A search without real consent, a stop that dragged on too long, or a lab test that never got finished can all break the state’s case.
The firm does criminal defense and nothing else. Its drug work covers Penalty Group 1 cases like meth and cocaine, Group 2 and Group 3 charges, marijuana, manufacturing, sales, trafficking, and federal drug crimes. It also fights asset forfeiture when police seize cash or a car. Attorneys Alexis Archer and Ian Perez-Routledge handle cases alongside Sloane. Once a case ends, the team files expunctions and nondisclosures to clear or seal the record.
Several of the firm’s 200-plus five-star reviews name drug and marijuana cases in particular. Sloane also sits on the NORML Legislative Committee, which keeps him close to changes in Texas marijuana law. The office sits in downtown Fort Worth, a short trip from the courthouse, and the first consultation is free.
Good match if: police searched your car, home, or phone, and you want a lawyer who used to write those reports.
Address: 933 W Weatherford Street, Suite 203, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Website: sloanelaw.com
2. Varghese Summersett
This downtown firm fields four Board Certified criminal law attorneys, led by managing partner Benson Varghese and co-founder Anna Summersett. The team reports more than 700 jury trials and over 1,600 dismissals. It handles state cases and federal drug cases in the Northern District of Texas.
The lawyers also know Tarrant County’s off-ramps well. They help eligible clients get into the First Offender Drug Program or the DIRECT drug court, which can end in a dismissal instead of a conviction. The firm answers calls around the clock, offers help in Spanish, and runs extra offices in Southlake, Dallas, and Houston.
Good match if: your case involves a large amount, a conspiracy claim, or federal agents.
Address: 300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700, Fort Worth, TX 76102 | Phone: (817) 203-2220
3. Daniel, Moore, Evans, Biggs, Decker & Smid
Six attorneys work out of this downtown Fort Worth office, and four of them hold Board Certification in criminal law: Mark Daniel, Lance Evans, William Biggs, and Matt Smid. The firm defends drug offenses and federal charges at the trial level. It also handles post-conviction appeals. If a drug case already ended badly, that second look can matter.
Board Certification takes real work to earn. Lawyers must try a set number of cases, keep up with training, and pass a peer review. Having four of them under one roof means a hard case can get more than one set of expert eyes. The firm also takes on violent crime, white collar, and DWI cases when a drug charge comes with other counts.
Good match if: you or a family member already has a drug conviction and wants to challenge how the case was handled.
Address: 301 Commerce Street, Suite 2001, Fort Worth, TX 76102
4. Carreras Law Group
Kara Carreras is a former prosecutor and a Board Certified criminal law specialist. She takes on misdemeanor and felony drug cases, plus federal possession, trafficking, and manufacturing charges. Her firm also counsels clients on deportation risk.
Her time as a prosecutor shows her how the state builds a drug case from the other side. Beyond drug charges, the firm handles DWI, juvenile cases, and expunctions for clients who want a clean record. Fort Worth Magazine listed the firm among its Top Attorneys in 2018, and the first consultation is free.
Good match if: you are not a U.S. citizen and a drug conviction could affect your status.
Address: 604 E 4th St Ste 101, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 318-6022
5. Cole Paschall Law
Casey Cole once served as a judge. Shawn Paschall is Board Certified in criminal law. Together they bring more than 50 years in courtrooms and handle drug cases from marijuana possession to trafficking. The firm also defends minors in Tarrant County juvenile court.
A former judge knows what moves a courtroom and what falls flat. The team files pretrial motions, questions witnesses, and preps each case as if it will go to trial. It also takes federal cases, including drug trafficking and money laundering charges, and offers a free consultation.
Good match if: a teen or young adult in your family faces a first drug charge.
Address: 6300 Ridglea Pl #315, Fort Worth, TX 76116
Website: https://www.colepaschalllaw.com/
FAQs
Q. What is a penalty group in Texas drug law?
Texas sorts drugs into penalty groups. Group 1 includes meth, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl and carries the harshest penalties. Group 3 covers many prescription pills like Xanax and Adderall. The group and the weight together set the charge level.
Q. Is a THC vape a felony in Fort Worth?
It can be. Texas often charges THC oil, wax, and vape cartridges under Penalty Group 2, which makes even a small amount a felony. Hemp products follow different rules, and those rules keep changing, so ask a lawyer about your exact product.
Q. Can a first drug charge get dismissed in Tarrant County?
Sometimes. Tarrant County runs a First Offender Drug Program and other diversion options. People who qualify and finish the program can have the charge dismissed and later expunged.
Q. When does a Fort Worth drug case become federal?
Large amounts, drugs moved across state lines, or conspiracy claims can pull a case into federal court in Fort Worth. Federal cases follow sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimums with no parole.
Before You Call Anyone
Stay quiet about the case with police, friends, and social media. Then call two or three firms on this list and ask how many drug cases like yours they have taken to trial. That answer tells you more than any ad.
