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Penalties for Drug Crimes


DUI & Drug Defense in Denver and Boulder, Colorado

When you have been charged with a drug crime in Colorado, you are facing very serious penalties both from the legal system immediately, but also from society as a whole for a long time after your conviction. Once you have been convicted of a drug crime, you may have trouble qualifying for loans, finding a job, or getting custody of your children in the event of a divorce. In fact, a prior conviction on any drug crime will make any future charges far more serious.

Whether this is your first drug charge or a second or subsequent charge, you have a right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Nicolas M. Geman is prepared to fight to preserve this right as well as protect your life and liberty. To learn how this dedicated Denver criminal defense attorney can help you, please call or email the Law Office of Nicolas M. Geman today.

Penalties for Common Drug Crimes

Below are some of the statutory definitions for the more common drug crimes and the presumptive penalties that go along with each defined class of offense.

Level and Class Examples Minimum Sentence Maximum Sentence
Class 2 Felony

Distribution or possession with intent to distribute schedule I or II controlled substance, with prior conviction. “Special offender” charges.

8 years imprisonment / $5000 fine

 24 years imprisonment (may be doubled for “special offenders) / $1,000,000 fine
Class 3 Felony

Distribution or possession with intent to distribute schedule I or II controlled substance; Distribution or possession with intent to distribute of schedule III controlled substance with prior conviction

4 years imprisonment / $3,000 fine

12 years imprisonment / $750,000 fine
Class 4 Felony

Possession of more than 4 grams of schedule I or II controlled substance or 2 grams of methamphetamine; Distribution or possession with intent to distribute of schedule III controlled substance

2 years imprisonment / $2,000 fine

6 years imprisonment / $500,000 fine

Class 5 Felony

 Distribution or possession with intent to distribute a schedule V controlled substance with prior conviction 1 year imprisonment / $1,000 fine 3 years imprisonment / $100,000 fine

Class 6 Felony

 Possession of 4 grams or less of schedule I or II controlled substance or 2 grams or less of methamphetamine 1 year imprisonment / $1,000 fine 18 months imprisonment / $100,000 fine

Class 1 Misdemeanor

 Possession of controlled substance from class III, IV, or V; possession with intent to distribute schedule V controlled substance 6 months imprisonment / $500 fine 18 months imprisonment / $5,000 fine

Class 2 Misdemeanor

 Use of a controlled substance 3 months imprisonment / $250 fine 1 year imprisonment / $750 fine

As you can see, there is a wide range of penalties associated with each class of offense. The penalty you actually receive will be highly dependent on the circumstances of your crime and how it is represented to the judge. Your Denver DUI and drug crimes attorney can make all the difference in telling your story so that the judge views your crime with leniency. Many times, these penalties can be avoided in whole or in part by working through the drug court system.

Why Choose Nicolas M. Geman

Your Denver drug crimes lawyer can make the difference between receiving probation and spending years in jail, especially for a first-time drug charge. Nicolas M. Geman is committed to defending your rights and ensuring that you are only convicted if the prosecution proves its case beyond reasonable doubt while following the rules of the criminal system. And if you are convicted, he will work to ensure that you are only convicted of the crime you are actually guilty of, no bogus distribution charges or conspiracy charges based on flimsy inferences or faulty evidence.

Learn more on our Misdemeanor and Felonies section.

To talk to a dedicated Denver drug crimes defense lawyer, please call or email the Law Offices of Nicolas M. Geman today to schedule your consultation.