Having a drug offense on your record in the state of Colorado can label you as a “junkie” or an undesirable element of society, making it difficult for you to find employment or get a professional license of any kind. Drug offenses that can jeopardize your reputation include possession of illegal drugs, sale or manufacturing of drugs, driving under the influence, illegally growing marijuana, and prescription fraud. If you’ve been accused of, or charged with, any of these crimes, speak to a drug possession attorney immediately so that the severity of your offense is not exaggerated or excessively penalized. The highly-rated attorneys at Baumgartner Law will defend and protect your rights, whether you’re in Denver, Lakewood, Aurora or Boulder, Colorado.
Drug Possession Laws in Colorado
It is illegal to possess drugs in Colorado if they have a potential for abuse. In Colorado, illegal drugs are categorized into five schedules. Schedule I lists the worst drugs you can be caught with: those that have no medicinal purpose and the highest likelihood of abuse, such as heroin and street hallucinogens like LSD or PCP. Schedule II includes drugs that still have a high potential for abuse, but that do have some medicinal uses. These include cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, morphine, fentanyl, and opioid pain pills like Vicodin. The schedules continue downward in rank until we reach Schedule V, which includes medicinal drugs with the lowest potential for abuse, like over-the-counter cough syrup.
The drug felony offenses in Colorado are classified based on these drug schedules, and vary from Level 1 (most serious offenses) to Level 4 (the least serious). There are also Level 1 and Level 2 misdemeanors, which involve drugs like marijuana – which is only legal in very small amounts. Possession laws can be complex, and the attorney at Baumgartner Law can navigate them to increase your chances of winning your case.
Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalties
For first offenses, a sentence for drug possession will often involve treatment rather than jail. For repeated offenses or charges involving more serious drugs like heroin or cocaine, the charge can advance from a misdemeanor to a felony related to the schedule to which the drug belongs. For example, a charge of possessing a Schedule 1 drug will carry higher penalties than one of possessing a Schedule III drug. But the penalties also depend on whether the charge simply involves possession, or also the sale or manufacture of the drug. A drug felony charge penalty can range from six months in jail and a fine of $1,000 up to 32 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
Schedule a Professional Legal Consultation in Colorado Today
If you’ve been charged with a drug possession offense, don’t wait. Schedule a professional legal consultation in Colorado with the experienced drug possession attorneys at Baumgartner Law today. Call us at (303) 529-3476 and let our caring attorneys help you protect your reputation and get back your life. We serve Denver, Lakewood, Aurora and Boulder, Colorado.