Drug charges in Colorado can have a different way of being charged than other types of crimes. Not only is schedule taken into account but so is whether the defendant is just in possession or in possession and selling. Here is a closer look at how drug charges work in Colorado so you can understand the process and get you or your loved one out of jail quickly.
Drug Schedules Matter
When prosecuting in Colorado, the courts use a rating system that goes from Schedule I to Schedule V. Schedule I drugs are drugs that the courts consider to be highly addictive and thus the potential for abuse is extremely prevalent. Some of the major schedule I drugs are cocaine, heroin, LSD, Ecstacy, and Peyote. Schedule V drugs, on the other hand, are still considered dangerous however the law does not consider as high risk for substance abuse. An example of a schedule V drug would be cough syrup that contains codeine. When the courts consider charges, they will take into account what schedule the drug in question is. The high schedule the drug is, typically the more severe the charges.
Possession vs Distribution
Of course, another aspect that will determine the severity of charges would be whether the arrest was for simple possession of a substance or was the arrest for distribution of a drug. If it was possession, and if it was the first offense, the judge may lean more toward a rehabilitative route then maybe jail time. However, if there were large amounts of the drug or multiple infractions then jail time becomes much more likely. Distribution on the hand will be taken far more seriously since the defendant would not only be putting their lives in dangers but others as well. Courts will tend to be much more severe in terms of charges and sentencing to someone who is selling drugs than using.
Overall, the way Colorado deals with drug-related charges is pretty on par with the rest of the country. The schedule of the drug will be a guideline of how seriously the courts will take the offense and for the most part, rehabilitation is always considered an option for those who are clearly struggling but sentences can be far heavier for those that are selling.
