Denver Drug Possession Lawyer
In 2023, the monthly average for drug crimes in Denver was 346, up 75 from the monthly average in 2022 (271). As of April 2024, the monthly average is up once again, to 376, which means nearly 400 individuals are charged with drug crimes every month in Denver.
If you’ve been charged with breaking Colorado’s drug laws, reach out to our experienced Denver drug defense attorneys. We’ll defend your rights at every step and exhaust all options to achieve a positive outcome on your behalf.
Our Practice Areas
Drug Possession Defense
Simple drug possession is one of the most common drug crimes in Colorado, but being convicted of drug possession charges can result in a range of penalties, including jail time and fines.
For example, illegal possession of prescription drugs—meaning you don’t have a valid prescription—could result in up to 18 months in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
In these drug cases, a handful of factors determine which charges are brought, including the type of controlled substance involved and the type of possession.
Actual Possession
If police officers find a controlled substance on your person, or they determine that you got rid of a controlled substance right before they arrived, you could be charged with drug possession.
How can an officer determine you were in possession of controlled substances before they arrived? For one, if they find drug paraphernalia that was used recently, they can press charges on this basis.
Constructive Possession
If drugs are found at a property you own, you could be hit with a range of drug charges, even if you weren’t present when the drugs were found.
For example, if police find crushed prescription medications while shutting down a house party, and they discover that the person possessing the crushed medication doesn’t have a prescription, they could charge the property owner with unlawful drug possession, even if they weren’t at the party.
Joint Possession
When controlled substances are found in a space two or more people share, and nobody claims the controlled substances as their own, all of them could be charged with joint possession.
For example, if you know your roommate is in possession of drugs, and you do nothing about it, both of you could be charged with a drug felony. In this case, you’d need to hire a defense attorney, otherwise a drug crime conviction could be in your future.
Possession With Intent to Distribute
Of all the types of possession, possession with intent to distribute is the most serious, and you could be subjected to more severe penalties if you’re convicted of this crime.
How can officers distinguish simple possession from possession with intent to distribute? For one, if they find large quantities of drugs, cash, and a digital scale, they’ll conclude that more serious drug charges are warranted because there’s evidence of possession with intent to distribute.
Drug Trafficking Defense
Trafficking is one of the most serious drug offenses. If you’ve transported, distributed, or sold controlled substances across state lines or international borders, you could be charged with drug trafficking.
If you are charged, getting help from our Colorado law firm is essential. We’ll come up with a strong defense strategy and provide expert legal representation throughout the process.
For example, if we find that felony charges were brought after police officers conducted an unlawful search, our drug possession lawyers will motion to have the prosecution’s evidence suppressed on grounds it was obtained illegally.
In these kinds of cases, the type of drug that’s alleged to have been trafficked is important. Below are the drug classifications (schedules) for Colorado.
Schedule I Drugs
Highly abused, dangerous drugs that have no accepted medical uses are classified as schedule I drugs in Colorado. Examples include heroin and hallucinogens like LSD and PCP.
If you’re convicted of trafficking certain narcotics in Colorado, you could be looking at severe drug offense penalties, including decades in jail and hefty fines.
Schedule II Drugs
Oxycodone (Oxycontin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), fentanyl, and methadone are examples of schedule II drugs. Like schedule I drugs, they can be highly abused, but they do have some accepted medical use.
Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines are also classified as schedule II drugs.
Schedule III Drugs
Drugs with an accepted medical use that can lead to dependence are classified as schedule III drugs. Examples are ketamine, anabolic steroids, and medications that have codeine.
Schedule IV Drugs
Many prescription drugs are classified as schedule IV drugs, including anti-anxiety medications and non-barbiturate sleep medications.
These drugs aren’t abused to the extent that drugs in higher schedules are, but they can still cause both physical and psychological dependence, especially if they’re abused.
Schedule V Drugs
Rarely abused drugs that pose minimal danger are classified as schedule V drugs. Many over-the-counter medications fall into this category.
Drug-Related DUI
Colorado drug laws prescribe penalties for everything from simple possession to trafficking, but they also prescribe penalties for individuals convicted of drug-related DUI.
What constitutes drug-related DUI? Basically, if you’re operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, you could be charged with a serious drug felony.
If convicted, you could lose your license, be saddled with a fine, and even spend time in jail.
Drug-related DUI is more common in Colorado because the state has legalized both recreational marijuana and medical marijuana.
Plea Bargains
Many individuals who are facing drug charges opt for a plea bargain to avoid the stiff penalties that can result from a jury conviction.
During plea bargain negotiations, having a skilled and experienced defense lawyer representing you can make all the difference.
Not only will they work to secure favorable terms, but they’ll also know when a plea should be accepted or rejected.
For example, if the prosecutor is willing to reduce charges in exchange for a guilty plea, and the reduced charges carry lesser penalties, a drug crimes lawyer may advise that this is a deal worth taking.
Expungement
If you’ve been convicted of a drug felony, and you’ve paid the fine and/or served a sentence, you’ll still have a drug crime conviction on your record.
Even a minor drug crime conviction can open a criminal record and hinder your ability to secure housing, employment, and education.
What will our firm do? Using the applicable legal process, we’ll do everything possible to get drug-related charges and convictions expunged from your record.
However, some charges and convictions can’t be expunged for public safety reasons.
Why Choose Drug Possession Lawyer USA
Drug Possession Lawyer USA has been helping individuals who’ve been charged with drug crimes for more than 15 years, and our team has over 100 years in collective courtroom experience.
No matter the drug offense you’re accused of, we’ll ensure your rights as a criminally accused individual are vigorously defended.
And since we’re not a “big law” firm, you won’t just be another case to us. In fact, we’ll take the time to understand the intricacies of your case so we can build a robust defense.
In more than 70% of the cases we’ve worked on, we’ve been able to secure favorable outcomes for our clients.
Should your defense require expert testimony, we’ll bring in ex law enforcement and other relevant witnesses to help prove your innocence.
Lastly, we offer flexible payment plans so our services are available to individuals across the income spectrum.
Contact Our Denver Criminal Defense Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Facing charges related to drug crimes in Denver? Reach out to our Colorado drug defense attorney right away. The consultation is 100% free and there are no obligations.
We’ll look at the facts of your case in an honest and transparent manner before giving advice on next steps. At Drug Possession Lawyer USA, clients always come first, no matter what they’re accused of.