| Colorado Drug Treatment/20081st) Alcohol 2nd) Marijuana (6,020 patients) 3rd) Methamphetamine (4,442) 4th) Cocaine/Crack (3,256) 5th) Heroin (1,172 patients) 6th) Prescription opiates (453) Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse. |
In 2010, changes to Colorado’s drug laws began to place the emphasis on treatment rather than jail time. Combined with the decriminalization of some forms of marijuana possession, the laws leave a clearer path to treatment for defendants who would otherwise face a substantial risk of time behind bars.
Hiring a Denver defense lawyer can help ensure that your options are thoroughly explained and that you have the best chance to put a drug charge behind you in a way that will permit you to get on with your life. While possession of a small amount of heroin or cocaine can now be considered a misdemeanor under the law, defendants still face a penalty of up to 18 months in jail. And a drug conviction on your permanent record can haunt you for the rest of your life, making it difficult or impossible to hold certain jobs, obtain some forms of state or federal aid (including student loans) or qualify for an apartment or loan.
Additionally, all charges involving the sale of drugs, including marijuana, remain a felony under Colorado law.
For many first-time offenders, Denver drug court, drug treatment, or other forms of alternative sentencing may permit sanctions that involve treatment rather than jail. However, the criminal defense attorneys at The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal strongly encourage you to seek the advice of an attorney experienced in representing clients facing Colorado drug charges. An offer of treatment or other alternative sentencing options can come with its own risk – and failure to successfully complete a court-ordered program can cause additional legal problems. Denver Drug Court, for example, can take months to complete and failure to comply with the terms of the program can result in extended treatment, additional community service, or jail time.
An experienced attorney will also understand common terms of probation, and can fight for your rights when terms are set, in an effort to help you avoid some of the common problems that can cause clients additional legal trouble. While treatment can offer a new beginning, clients who are enrolled in such programs, or who face court-mandated restrictions, sometimes find themselves entangled in the legal system for years, or even decades. In fact, it is not at all uncommon for a defendant who has first-hand experience with such programs to request jail time rather than to try and comply with the mired of restrictions that they know will only lead to additional legal problems.
By seeking qualified legal guidance, you stand the best chance of making sure you understand your options and making the informed decisions that can best put a drug charge behind you and allow you to get on with your life.
The Denver criminal defense attorneys at The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal represent clients facing drug charges throughout the area, including Aurora, Englewood, Lakewood and Boulder. Call today for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights.
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal– Call 303-825-2223 – Free Consultation
