New Texas Law Targets Drug Dealers Using Social Media

When you live and work in Texas, there is a pretty good chance you have some kind of inkling of some of the laws we have around here.

While some may be odd or quirky, others may appear exceedingly harsh.  It really all depends on the nature of the law at hand.

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Texas Senate Bill 1833 Tackles Drug Dealers Who Use Social Media

Texas Senate Bill 1833 is a proposed law aimed at increasing criminal penalties for drug dealers who use social media platforms to facilitate their crimes.

If enacted, this bill would classify these offenses as more serious when social media is involved, particularly in the delivery or distribution of controlled substances.

Punishment For Using Social Media to Distribute Drugs

Under SB 1833, there are important implications: if someone commits a drug-delivery offense using social media, the punishment will be increased by one degree.

For instance, an offense that is typically classified as a third-degree felony could be elevated to a second-degree felony.

In cases where the offense is already classified as a first-degree felony, the bill would add five additional years to the sentence and double the maximum fine.

Will This Happen To All Crimes Linked To Social Media?

Certain prison sentences can be lengthened or fines doubled if social media is involved in facilitating specific drug crimes.

However, this does not mean that all crimes involving social media automatically carry increased sentences.

The enhancement only applies to specific drug delivery laws and only when social media is used to assist the criminal act.

Read More: Watch Police Wrangle With Angry Kangaroo in Waco, Texas

So while this mainly targets drug distribution and social media, it isn't (at least at the moment) going to be implemented in other crimes.

However, the groundwork is already being laid out, and that could possibly change in the future.