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Castle Rock Drug Possession Lawyer

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Castle Rock Drug Possession Attorney

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Let’s be honest – facing drug charges in Castle Rock, Colorado, can feel overwhelming and scary. You’re probably filled with uncertainty and have a ton of questions about what happens next.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to navigate this alone. An experienced Castle Rock criminal defense attorney can help you understand your options and start building the strongest possible defense. This process will be much less intimidating with expert guidance at your side.

At our firm, we’ve spent decades helping people through the complex and stressful legal battles that drug charges often spark. We know the Castle Rock courts and prosecutors well. And we’ve successfully defended hundreds of drug possession cases in this jurisdiction and across Douglas County.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the key drug possession laws in Castle Rock, what to do if you’ve been arrested, and how having the right attorney by your side can make all the difference between a positive or negative outcome.

What You Need to Know About Castle Rock’s Drug Possession Laws

In Colorado, drug possession is prosecuted under CRS 18-18-403.5. A drug possession charge in Castle Rock can range from a minor misdemeanor to a serious felony, depending on the circumstances. Some key factors that determine the severity of the charge include:

  • Drug type – Marijuana, cocaine, meth, heroin, and hallucinogens all have different penalties. Possession of most hard drugs like cocaine or heroin is a felony, even for small amounts.
  • Intent – Simple possession for personal use is viewed differently than possession signaling intent to distribute
  • Quantity – Possessing larger amounts typically leads to more serious distribution charges:
  • *Per Colorado Revised Statute 18-18-405 and CRS 18-1.3-401.5

Here’s the chart with the drug names included for Schedule I or II:

Drug Type Amount Penalty
Heroin Up to 4 grams Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead.
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) Up to 4 grams Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead.
PCP (Phencyclidine) Up to 4 grams Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead.
Mescaline Up to 4 grams Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead.
Peyote Up to 4 grams Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead.
Oxycodone (OxyContin) Up to 4 grams Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead.
Hydrocodone (Vicodin) Up to 4 grams Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead.
Morphine Up to 4 grams Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead.
Heroin More than 4 grams Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) More than 4 grams Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
PCP (Phencyclidine) More than 4 grams Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
Mescaline More than 4 grams Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
Peyote More than 4 grams Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
Oxycodone (OxyContin) More than 4 grams Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
Hydrocodone (Vicodin) More than 4 grams Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
Morphine More than 4 grams Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
GHB Any amount Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
Flunitrazepam Any amount Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
Ketamine Any amount Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.
Cathinone Any amount Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply.

Potential drug possession penalties range from misdemeanors to serious felonies:

  • Up to 1 year in jail for misdemeanors
  • 1-3 years in prison for low-level felonies
  • Up to 12 years in prison for high-level felony possession/trafficking

A drug conviction also brings large fines, drug education classes, probation, loss of federal aid, and more. Having a criminal history heavily impacts sentencing; harsher penalties apply for repeat offenders.

The sentence you face all comes down to the specifics of your case. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced Castle Rock criminal defense lawyer analyze the details and identify the exact laws and sentencing guidelines that apply.

castle rock criminal defense attorney

If You’ve Been Arrested for Drug Possession in Castle Rock, Act Fast

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If you’ve already been arrested and charged with drug possession, every moment matters. Here are some steps to take right away:

  • Get a Castle Rock drug possession lawyer immediately – We cannot stress this enough. Do NOT say anything to the police without your lawyer present. We can handle all interactions with investigators for you to prevent accidental self-incrimination.
  • Explore possible defenses – We know how to challenge an illegal vehicle search that uncovered drugs. Or faulty testing procedures that provided inaccurate results. There may be ways to get the entire case tossed.
  • Seek pretrial diversion – For some first-time simple possession offenses, we may be able to get you into a treatment program in lieu of criminal penalties. But the clock is ticking on this option.

Why An Experienced Castle Rock Criminal Attorney is Crucial

You’re probably wondering how exactly a criminal defense lawyer can help fight your drug possession charges. We have many tools at our disposal:

  • We’ll walk you through Castle Rock’s complex criminal system. We know the procedures, people, and processes inside and out.
  • As your advocate, we can aggressively negotiate with the DA’s office to reduce or dismiss charges whenever possible. We’re not afraid to take cases to trial if we can’t secure a satisfactory deal.
  • We’ll seek alternatives to jail, like outpatient treatment or drug court. These intervention programs allow people to avoid a conviction through rehabilitation.
  • If viable, we will battle to suppress questionable evidence or statements you made before consulting an attorney.

The bottom line? Our #1 job is putting our legal skills and insider knowledge to work, fighting for the best possible outcome for you.

There is Still Hope if You are Convicted

Here’s the positive news if you already have a drug conviction: there may still be options to reduce the impact moving forward:

  • We can appeal the conviction if we spot any legal errors or improprieties. Overturning convictions is not easy, but certainly possible in some cases.
  • We can petition the court to seal or expunge your record once enough time has passed. This gives you a clean slate.
  • Even after a conviction, we can advocate for alternatives to jail, such as probation or continued treatment programs.
  • We’ll work to minimize consequences like license suspension or bars on financial aid that often accompany drug convictions.

Don’t let one wrong decision impact your life, job or freedom.

Call today for a free case evaluation.

Colorado criminal procedure

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  • Arrest or
    Summons
    01

    Arrest or
    Summons

    The process begins with either an arrest or a summons. The accused is either arrested or served with paperwork summoning them to appear in court. During an arrest, Miranda rights may or may not be read to you. Officers are only required to recite your rights if they intend to question you about potentially incriminating things.

  • Bond Hearing
    02

    Bond Hearing

    In most cases, you're entitled to have a reasonable bond set after you've been arrested. In situations involving domestic violence, the police will request input from the victim before setting a bond. Bonds are set to ensure that a person appears in court at their court dates. If they don’t show up, they forfeit the money that was paid for the bond.

  • Advisement of
    Charges
    03

    Advisement of
    Charges

    Whether you are arrested or given a summons to appear, the court must make sure you understand what crimes you are being accused of committing. This is called advisement of charges. The District Attorney will detail the specific charges against you, and the Judge has to make sure you understand what possible penalties are associated with that charge in the state.

  • Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)
    04

    Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)

    A preliminary hearing is a way for your defense attorney to challenge the District Attorney’s right to bring charges against you by making them prove that there is reason to believe you committed a crime. The Judge is not deciding your guilt or innocence, but rather whether or not there is probable cause to charge you with the crime in question.

  • Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing
    05

    Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing

    This court date comes after your attorney has reviewed all of the reports and evidence in your case. Here’s where your attorney will engage in plea negotiations with the DA. If they can reach an agreement on the case, you may be able to take a plea bargain. If they cannot reach a resolution, your case will be set for an arraignment or trial date.

  • Arraignment
    06

    Arraignment

    An arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you choose to plea. Guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, then the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, you and your attorney will then set the case for trial.

  • Motions Hearing
    07

    Motions Hearing

    A motion hearing is when an attorney makes a request that requires a decision from the judge. For example, motions to suppress evidence or statements. These motions can limit the information that goes before a jury if it benefits your case, and there are legal grounds for doing so.

  • Pretrial Readiness
    Conference
    08

    Pretrial Readiness
    Conference

    A pretrial readiness conference is held at some point before trial. It usually is held about a week to a month before the date trial is set to begin. This court date ensures everyone is ready to go to trial on the set date. It is also a time for lawyers to bring up any issues they may have to be addressed before the day of trial.

  • Jury Trial
    09

    Jury Trial

    After a jury is selected for trial, the District Attorney’s responsibility is to present the case to the jury. The DA must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime. Otherwise, the jury must find you innocent. Your attorney will be able to cross-examine all of the witnesses, present evidence, and ultimately help you navigate this process.

  • Sentencing
    Date
    10

    Sentencing
    Date

    At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you plead guilty. The Judge’s decision is based on the listed penalties for the specific charge, recommendations from the presentence investigation, your criminal history, as well as statements made at the sentencing by the District Attorney, your attorney, you, and any named victims of the crime.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are the possession limits for marijuana?

For marijuana plant form, possession of more than 2 ounces is a petty offense, more than 6 ounces is a misdemeanor, and more than 12 ounces is a felony. For concentrates, possession limits are much lower.

Is any amount of drugs like cocaine or heroin a felony?

Yes, possession of any amount of these drugs, no matter how small, is prosecuted as a felony in Colorado. Even residue amounts are felonies.

How does a criminal record impact drug possession penalties?

Those with prior felony drug convictions face doubled penalties for subsequent convictions. Three or more felonies can result in a lifetime drug felony sentence.

Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

Don't Risk Your Future - Contact Us For a Free Consultation

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At Right Law Group, our team of former prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys have the expertise and determination to provide the strongest possible defense against your Castle Rock drug possession charges. With decades of combined experience, we have relentlessly fought to protect the rights and futures of thousands facing criminal allegations across Colorado. With deep knowledge of local courts, relationships with officials, and a client-focused approach, we have successfully resolved countless drug possession cases in Castle Rock and Douglas County on favorable terms. Don’t leave your fate to chance – contact Right Law Group today for a free consultation with our Castle Rock drug crime attorneys. The sooner you have us by your side, the more effectively we can start defending your rights. We know this is an extremely difficult situation, and we offer compassionate guidance as aggressive legal advocates. Trust the team with over 500+ five-star reviews – reach out to Right Law Group and let us help you.

Areas Served

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El Paso County

Douglas County

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Arapahoe County

  • Centennial
  • Englewood
  • Greenwood Village
  • Cherry Hills Village
  • Foxfield
  • Sheridan
  • Columbine Valley
  • Byers
  • Southglenn
  • Castlewood
  • Peoria

Pueblo County

Teller County

Fremont County

  • Coaldale
  • Cotopaxi
  • Hillside
  • Howard
  • Texas Creek
  • Wellsville