Possession of Marijuana in Harris County: What You Need to Know in 2025
- houstoncriminaldef
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Possession of Marijuana in Harris County: What You Need to Know in 2025
By Brian Foley, Criminal Defense Attorney at Houston Criminal Defense Attorneys, PLLC
If you thought Harris County had stopped prosecuting marijuana possession cases—think again.
After a period where misdemeanor marijuana charges were rarely pursued unless tied to more serious crimes (like unlawful weapon possession or harder drugs), the tide has shifted. Harris County is once again making full arrests for simple possession of marijuana, and people are being booked, processed, and sent to court just like they were before.
What Happens After a Marijuana Arrest in Houston?
If you're arrested for possession of marijuana in Harris County, you’ll be taken to the Joint Processing Center (JPC) in downtown Houston. This is where booking happens, and you’ll attend your Article 15.17 hearing, often called "PC court."
The good news? Most people charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession are eligible for a General Order Bond (GOB). This is essentially a personal recognizance bond—you’re released without having to pay, provided you agree to show up to court later. If you miss your court date, however, you could be rearrested.
Can You Get the Case Dismissed and Your Record Cleared from a Possession of Marijuana in Harris County: What You Need to Know in 2025?
This is one of the most common—and most important—questions we hear.
The short answer: Yes, many marijuana possession cases can be dismissed, and with the right legal action, you can clear your record through an expunction.
An expunction is a civil legal process that deletes all records of your arrest, including:
Mugshots
Fingerprints
Police reports
Court documents
If your case is dismissed, we can typically request an expunction soon after. In many cases, the Harris County DA's office will waive the usual two-year waiting period for misdemeanor marijuana offenses. While this isn’t guaranteed, we negotiate for it regularly—and often successfully.
That means you could be arrested, get your case dismissed, and have a clean record again in as little as six to twelve months. In the legal world, that’s fast.
Why Expunctions Matter More Than You Think
Even if your case gets dismissed, the arrest will still show up on background checks—unless you have it expunged. Employers, landlords, schools, and banks may all see it and make assumptions.
And here’s the hard truth: Prosecutors do too.
If you’re arrested again down the line and your dismissed case is still on your record, a prosecutor reviewing your file won’t think, “This person was probably innocent and got justice.” They’re more likely to think, “This person got away with it last time—maybe they won’t this time.”
That perception could affect how they handle your case, including the charges they file and the plea deals they offer.
Don’t Wait—Take Control of Your Record
A possession of marijuana charge might seem minor, but the long-term effects can be serious. That’s why it’s critical to hire a skilled, honest defense attorney who can:
Work to get your case dismissed.
File for an expunction to wipe the slate clean.
Guide you through the process with transparency and trust.
At Houston Criminal Defense Attorneys, PLLC, we’ve handled countless marijuana possession cases and helped our clients reclaim clean records. Your future deserves that level of protection.
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