Charged With Drug Trafficking in Colorado? Contact Steven Louth for Help!
Across the United States, drug trafficking is a serious and growing problem. Charges for drug trafficking comprise the manufacturing, possession, sale, and distribution of illegal drugs. In Colorado, federal drug crimes are charged in the United States District Court for the district of Colorado and carry more severe penalties than for similar drug distribution in Colorado’s district courts. If convicted, first-time offenders could face 5-40 years in prison. Repeat offenders could face life in prison.
A felony drug trafficking conviction carries with it numerous consequences and will impact every facet of your life, including employment. Whether you spend 5 years in prison or a lifetime behind bars is influenced heavily by specific factors, including the type of drug, the amount of drug, and your prior criminal background. Other factors include whether you are a minor or an adult and whether the drug trafficking crossed state or international borders. If someone was killed or injured during the process, you could face even greater penalties and consequences.
Penalties for Drug Trafficking in Colorado
First-time offenders of drug trafficking laws could face 1 to 3 years in prison. Offenders charged with violent crimes, which are commonly associated with drug trafficking, could deal with much worse penalties. Those charged with drug trafficking could face:
- Loss of property
- Substantial fines
- Prison time
- Deportation of non-U.S. citizens
Without the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, the sentence could be even worse. If you have been charged with a drug crime in Boulder or anywhere in the State of Colorado, we can help. Contact our law firm today to begin building a solid defense against these serious charges. Our criminal defense lawyers have the knowledge and resources to protect your freedom and your rights.
Defenses Against Drug Trafficking Charges
If you are arrested and charged with drug possession in Colorado, the defense built by your criminal defense attorney will be critical to protecting your freedom. Some of the most common and effective defenses include:
- Drugs did not belong to defendant- Particularly successful when the drugs are found on property not belonging to the defendant, your attorney could assert you had no knowledge of the drugs.
- Illegal search and seizure- Your attorney could have the charges dismissed if law enforcement acquired the drugs by breaching a defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights.
- Lack of possession- Particularly successful when drugs are found in a car full of people, denial of dominion and control would be a strong defense.
- Entrapment- This occurs when law enforcement induces someone into buying drugs who would otherwise not ordinarily buy them.
- Unaware of possession- If, for example, an unsuspecting courier is given a package containing drugs, he or she cannot be legally found guilty of possession if they were unaware of the contents of the package.
Contact Us
If you have been arrested and charged with a drug crime in Boulder, contact the Boulder criminal defense lawyers at Steven Louth Law Offices today for a free consultation and review of your case. Call us at (303) 422-2297 to start building a solid defense against these serious criminal charges.