Drug Charge Lawyer in Fort Collins

The use, possession, selling, or manufacturing of controlled substances is considered a serious crime in Fort Collins, Colorado. Depending on the situation and the type of offense, you may have to deal with heavy fines and long imprisonment.

If you don’t want to face such consequences, it is wise to seek immediate help from a drug offenses attorney.

In Fort Collins, possession of marijuana in limited quantities (2 ounces) by adults over 21 is considered legal. However, if the quantity exceeds the allowed limit, the person will be penalized.

Any other drug that has little to zero contribution to medical treatment and is likely to be abused is considered illegal. Depending on the type of felony or misdemeanor, you may end up with a small fine of $1000 with up to 6 months in prison. However, if the severity of the crime is high, the fine can go up to $1,000,000 with 32 years in prison.

No matter how dire the situation may get, your drug offenses attorney can bring a ray of hope to your life when it comes to drug-related offenses.

There are multiple defenses that may be able to get you out of the situation scot-free or with only a minor charge.

One thing that may be able to form a solid defense is that you never actually had any control over the drugs. Additionally, if the police or any other law enforcement department performs an illegal search or entrapped the defendant, in this case, you may be able to plead not guilty.

The safest option of all is to complete a drug diversion program. Once a defendant has completed the program, all charges may be dismissed, leaving no criminal record behind. But not everyone qualifies for this program.

Additionally, in this case, you must admit to the crime, and instead of receiving a sentence, you receive help to get better. Once you go through the treatment and education, all your charges may be dropped with a crime-free record.

Have you been arrested for a drug-related offense? Not only does it bring devastation, but it also tarnishes your reputation for life. Additionally, having a record of drug offenses may come in the way of attaining employment or education in the future. Finding a reliable drug offenses attorney can help your case.

At Lee E. Christian Law, we have qualified lawyers that offer the best legal assistance in Fort Collins, Colorado. Call 970-484-0300 for more details.

Often drug possession charges result from police contacts while in your car. Typically, officers will ask the driver if they can search their car. In many cases, drivers agree to the search thinking officers have a right to inspect their car. However, an officer must first have reasonable suspicion that a law has been broken to pull you over. Second, in order to search your car, one of the following must apply: You must give voluntary, informed consent to the officer; the officer must see something in plain sight that gives them probable cause to conduct a search; or the search must be incident to a lawful arrest. As your defense attorney, I review the evidence, dashboard camera footage and the actions of arresting officers to determine if your rights were violated.

An experienced drug offenses attorney in Fort Collins can help you best understand the options available to you based on your specific needs and case.

Often drug possession charges result from police contacts while in your car. Typically, officers will ask the driver if they can search their car. In many cases, drivers agree to the search thinking officers have a right to inspect their car. However, an officer must first have reasonable suspicion that a law has been broken to pull you over. Second, in order to search your car, one of the following must apply: You must give voluntary, informed consent to the officer; the officer must see something in plain sight that gives them probable cause to conduct a search; or the search must be incident to a lawful arrest. As your defense attorney, I review the evidence, dashboard camera footage and the actions of arresting officers to determine if your rights were violated.

An experienced drug offenses attorney in Fort Collins can help you best understand the options available to you based on your specific needs and case.

While each case is different, it may be possible to plead guilty to a less serious offense. Often your jail time can be reduced or served on an alternative sentencing basis such as workenders, work release or electronic home monitoring. To help with rehabilitation, the court can use probation with drug counseling, or participation in other programs such as Drug Court. Larimer County has a drug court. The drug court uses an alternative approach where the system actively works with the defendant to address addiction issues. The goal of drug court is to facilitate recovery, resulting in a healthy, contributing member of the community.

An experienced drug offenses attorney in Fort Collins can help you best understand the options available to you based on your specific needs and case.

Possession charges involve having drugs for personal use, while intent to distribute involves evidence suggesting plans to sell or share. Factors include quantity, packaging materials, scales, or large sums of cash. Even without direct proof of sales, circumstantial evidence can elevate charges. Intent to distribute often carries harsher penalties than simple possession. Defense attorneys challenge assumptions about intent to reduce charges. This distinction is often critical in drug cases.

Yes. Certain drug convictions can suspend eligibility for federal financial aid programs. Students may lose grants, loans, or work-study opportunities. Completing rehabilitation programs may restore eligibility sooner. Schools may also impose disciplinary actions separate from criminal penalties. These impacts can derail education and career goals. Addressing charges quickly helps minimize long-term consequences.

Confidential informants often provide tips or assist law enforcement in undercover operations. Their testimony can lead to arrests or warrants. However, informants may have incentives, such as reduced charges, raising credibility issues. Defense attorneys frequently challenge the reliability and motives of informants. Cross-examining their role can weaken the prosecution’s case. Courts often scrutinize informant-based evidence closely.

Yes, there are alternative sentencing options for drug offenses in Fort Collins. These may include drug diversion programs, probation, community service, and mandatory drug education or treatment programs. These alternatives are designed to rehabilitate offenders rather than impose traditional punitive measures. They aim to reduce recidivism by addressing the underlying issues related to substance abuse. Our drug charge defense attorney can explore these options on your behalf. Scheduling a consultation can help you determine if they are the right fit for your case. Contact us to discuss your situation and learn how we can assist you.