Cocaine is classified by the federal government as a Schedule II drug, which means that, despite not being considered to be as dangerous as Schedule I drugs like heroin, cocaine is still considered to be illegal, very addictive and damaging to users.
As such, Colorado cocaine laws regarding possessing, manufacturing, selling or distributing cocaine are extremely strict and are typically filed as felonies; in cases that involve transporting the drug across state or national borders, as well as those in which large amounts of the drug are associated with a case, the cocaine criminal charges will likely be filed at the federal level, and the resulting penalties upon conviction can be significantly harsher than if they were filed in state courts.
Felony Cocaine Convictions And Sentencing
Every cocaine case is different, and the aforementioned factors will all play a role in determining the severity of the charges filed, as well as the range of possible penalties if the accused is convicted. Commonly, however, the following will apply:
- Class 3 felony charges are generally filed for those accused of cocaine possession for the first time, if no other aggravating factors are present in the case. Upon conviction of a cocaine class 3 felony, offenders can face up to 12 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines.
- Class 2 felony charges are typically filed for those accused of cocaine possession for the second time, if no other aggravating factors are present in the case. Upon conviction of a cocaine class 2 felony, offenders can face up to 24 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines.
In the event that distribution or trafficking is associated with a case, the charges and possible penalties can be significantly harsher, with the worst cases involving lifelong prison sentences.
Contact Flesch & Beck Law If You’ve Been Charged With A Crimes Related To Cocaine
At Flesch & Beck Law, our Denver criminal defense attorneys are highly skilled legal professionals who know how to aggressively and successfully litigate against any type of cocaine charge, including those for cases in which:
- The accused has prior cocaine convictions or a criminal record of any sort
- Illegal weapons, assault, racketeering or some other criminal act has also been charged in the case
- Someone was injured or killed during the alleged cocaine crime
Contact our offices today by emailing us or calling (303) 806-8886.
