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(720) 740-3466 (720) 740-3466 Colorado may have a reputation for a liberal approach to marijuana possession, but it still has steep penalties for distributing controlled substances. These charges carry substantially higher penalties compared with those for simply possessing drugs for your personal use.
If you have been accused of distributing controlled substances, it is vital to find the right legal assistance. A skilled defense attorney could help you fight the state’s charges and avoid a conviction. Before you consider a plea bargain, you could benefit from discussing your options with a Denver drug distribution lawyer.
Drug distribution is a serious criminal offense governed by both state and federal law. This offense is treated more harshly than simply possessing drugs for your personal use, as it is considered more harmful to the public.
At the federal level, the Controlled Substances Act governs distribution, and a conviction can lead to an array of penalties, depending on the amount and type of drugs in question. For example, if you are convicted of distributing a Schedule I narcotic—the most dangerous type of drug—you could face anywhere between five years and life in a federal prison.
Other factors could also result in a steeper penalty, such as distributing drugs to minors or on school grounds. In cases involving such aggravating factors, a charge that would normally result in a five-year sentence could lead to a lifetime in prison.
In addition to jail time, you could be facing fines, loss of your constitutional rights, and collateral consequences, such as losing your job. A Denver drug distribution attorney could help fight these charges and avoid the penalties that follow a conviction.
To secure a conviction, the state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you distributed a controlled substance. To do so, prosecutors will need evidence, and this high burden of proof can be difficult to meet.
The centerpiece of the state’s evidence is always the drugs that were seized. When large amounts of narcotics are discovered, it is more likely that the prosecution will bring a distribution charge. The presence of other objects can also be important, and this includes:
Finally, the government frequently relies on surveillance to make its case, and this may involve a recording of any transactions. An experienced Denver attorney could explain the types of evidence that may be used in your drug distribution case.
Denver attorneys have different ways of defending against drug distribution charges. One of the most common strategies is to challenge the legality of the searches and seizures made by law enforcement. If the police illegally seized evidence or searched your property without a warrant, anything they found could be excluded at trial.
Other potential strategies range from arguing a lack of evidence to claiming to have no knowledge of the drugs that were present. There is no one-size-fits-all approach that will work in every case, making it vital to rely on strong legal counsel to build a winning defense.
If you have been accused of distributing a controlled substance, it is crucial to have strong legal representation. Instead of facing these charges on your own, reach out to a Denver drug distribution lawyer for a private consultation.