Drug Charges Defense in Adams County, Colorado

Alexis explains: "Another type of misdemeanor charge is what's called a drug misdemeanor. Now, drug misdemeanor carry with it different penalties sometimes than regular misdemeanor. They may be more or less than a normal misdemeanor charge, but these are specific misdemeanors that deal with specific drug types."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "If you are curious about Colorado’s latest marijuana laws, you are not alone. Legalization of marijuana stirs curiosity among many people , including those who have never used it."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "“Those aren’t mine. ” Police hear this phrase hundreds of times a day in Colorado. Sometimes it’s true. Sometimes it’s a desperate lie."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "You thought you were buying Percocet, Xanax, or Adderall. Maybe you got the pills from someone you trusted, or bought them from what looked like a legitimate online pharmacy."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Under C. R. S. § 18-18-428, it’s illegal to possess any item that you know or should reasonably know could be used to consume, store, measure, or distribute controlled substances."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Colorado is looking to decrease incarceration rates by making personal drug possession in Colorado a misdemeanor offense."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "You’ve been charged with drug possession based on lab test results that identified the substance as an illegal drug. The prosecution treats those lab findings as absolute truth."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "If you suspect that you may be under investigation for drug-related crimes in Colorado, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs that law enforcement might be building a case against you."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Imagine police knocking at your door, claiming to have discovered drugs on the property. Before you know it, an officer states, “You’re under arrest for possession."

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Getting arrested for drug charges in Colorado can be frightening and confusing. Whether you’re facing charges for fentanyl possession , marijuana violations, or other controlled substances, understanding the arrest process and knowing your legal rights is essential to protecting your future."

Alexis explains: "Colorado has actually passed a new bill that is bringing our felony level drug charges down to misdemeanors"

Drug Distribution / Sales cases connected to Adams County are heard in the Adams County Justice Center, part of the 17th Judicial District.

Drug Distribution / Sales charges in Adams County are prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office, the elected District Attorney for the 17th Judicial District.

Adams County falls within the 17th Judicial District, and Drug Distribution / Sales cases there are heard in the Adams County Justice Center.

Drug distribution under C.R.S. 18-18-405 is a drug felony whose level depends mainly on the type and amount of the controlled substance. The four drug-felony levels in C.R.S. 18-1.3-401.5 carry very different ranges: a level 1 drug felony is eight to thirty-two years with a fine up to $1,000,000; level 2 is four to eight years; level 3 is two to four years; and level 4 is six months to one year. Only a level 1 drug felony reaches the million-dollar fine ceiling. Describing distribution as carrying up to a million-dollar fine across the board overstates the exposure for the lower levels.

A level 1 drug felony is the most serious tier under C.R.S. 18-1.3-401.5 and applies to the largest quantities or most aggravated distribution conduct defined in C.R.S. 18-18-405. It carries a presumptive eight to thirty-two years in the Department of Corrections, three years of mandatory parole, and a fine of $5,000 to $1,000,000. Lower quantities fall to a level 2, 3, or 4 drug felony with substantially shorter ranges. Because the level turns on drug type and weight, the quantity alleged and how it is measured are often central issues, including whether the total includes mixtures or only the pure substance.

Drug Possession cases connected to Adams County are heard in the Adams County Justice Center, part of the 17th Judicial District.

Drug Possession charges in Adams County are prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office, the elected District Attorney for the 17th Judicial District.

Adams County falls within the 17th Judicial District, and Drug Possession cases there are heard in the Adams County Justice Center.

Colorado lowered the felony threshold for fentanyl. Under C.R.S. 18-18-403.5, knowingly possessing a material, compound, or mixture that weighs more than one gram and not more than four grams and contains any quantity of fentanyl, carfentanil, or a related compound is a level 4 drug felony, effective July 1, 2022. For most other schedule I and II substances, simple possession up to four grams is a level 1 drug misdemeanor. The one-gram fentanyl trigger is far lower than the general four-gram line, so a small amount that would be a misdemeanor for another drug can be a felony when it contains fentanyl.

A fentanyl-specific possession conviction as a level 4 drug felony under C.R.S. 18-18-403.5(2.5) is governed by a special sentencing rule in C.R.S. 18-1.3-401.5(14). For an offense committed on or after July 1, 2022, the court imposes probation or county jail rather than a Department of Corrections term: up to 180 days in county jail for a first or second offense, or up to 364 days for a third or later offense. There is no state prison sentence and no mandatory parole at this possession level. This is narrower than a standard level 4 drug felony, which otherwise carries a six-month-to-one-year presumptive prison range.

Simple possession of most schedule I or II controlled substances is a level 1 drug misdemeanor under C.R.S. 18-18-403.5. A level 1 drug misdemeanor carries a jail range of six to eighteen months and a fine of $500 to $5,000. In practice the exposure is usually lower: for a possession offense under this statute, an alternative-sentencing provision caps jail at 180 days for a first or second offense, or 364 days for a third or later offense. Courts frequently use treatment, supervision, or diversion instead of jail. A fourth or later possession offense can be charged more seriously.

Alexis explains: "everything under four grams of methamphetamine cocaine heroin anything like that is being charged as a misdemeanor this also includes fentanyl"

Alexis explains: "right so if you have any questions whatsoever about the new laws or you want any information about criminal defense in general you can reach us at Wright Law Group RightLawGroup.com you can also call or text us anytime at 719-822-6227"