First-time offenses involving drug possession may or may not involve a more lenient sentence. The court will look at your previous criminal record and look to see if the offense was committed in a designated drug-free zone such as within 1,000 feet of a daycare, playground, or school. One important potential resolution your criminal defense attorney should consider is what is called pretrial intervention or pretrial diversion. This is a type of deferred adjudication wherein an offender can complete certain programs and requirements to have their case dismissed.