Drug crimes are treated seriously and drug laws are enforced aggressively in Colorado. If you are charged with any violation of the state’s drug laws in or near Colorado Springs, arrange at once to speak with Colorado Springs drug crimes attorney John Joyner at Joyner Law.

Since the 1970s, the federal government has categorized illegal drugs into five classifications or “schedules.” In 2020, the State of Colorado made the possession of small quantities of some Schedule I and Schedule II drugs misdemeanors rather than felonies.

What Drugs Are Schedule I and Schedule II Drugs?

Schedule I drugs have no accepted medicinal uses and are highly likely to be abused. Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD, PCP, mescaline, peyote, and psilocybin.

Schedule II drugs are also likely to be abused, but they do have limited, acceptable medicinal uses in specific cases and circumstances. Schedule II drugs include Adderall, cocaine, Demerol, Dexedrine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, Ritalin, and Vicodin.

What Are the Details of the Current Law?

Possession of any amount of GHB, flunitrazepam, or ketamine is still a felony. However, since 2020, the possession of under four grams of a Schedule I or Schedule II drug is now a Level 1 misdemeanor rather than a felony in Colorado. The sentence for a conviction may include fines, probation, counseling, treatment, community service, county jail time– but not prison.

Nevertheless, Class 1 misdemeanors are the most serious class of misdemeanors in Colorado, punishable upon conviction with six to eighteen months in county jail and/or a fine of $500 to $5,000. If it’s a first offense, a misdemeanor conviction establishes a criminal record.

What Steps Should You Take If You Are Facing a Drug Charge?

If you are charged with the possession of a Schedule I or Schedule II drug in Colorado, you must be advised and defended by an aggressive, effective drug crimes attorney. In the Colorado Springs area, that attorney is John Joyner at Joyner Law.

If the state’s evidence against you in a drug case is conclusive, attorney John Joyner may be able to negotiate an acceptable plea bargain for you, but if the state’s case is flawed in any way, he will advocate aggressively to have the charge dropped by the state or dismissed by the court.

If your drug case goes to trial, attorney John Joyner will develop an effective defense strategy and explain to a jury why you should be found not guilty. He will advise you regarding possible defense strategies and will work with you to determine the best course of action.

It is estimated that reducing the criminal penalties for personal possession of certain drugs will save Colorado taxpayers millions of dollars. If you are struggling with a drug abuse or addiction issue, a drug crimes attorney may be able to help you pursue treatment and rehabilitation.

Attorney John Joyner provides aggressive and effective defense representation to every one of his clients. Every drug case is different, of course, so if you face a drug charge, it is imperative to consult an attorney as early as possible – at the time of your arrest or immediately thereafter.

If you are charged with any drug violation in or near Colorado Springs – or anywhere else in Colorado – immediately schedule your first meeting with Colorado Springs drug crimes attorney John Joyner at Joyner Law by calling 719-548-4750.