Of all the possible types of criminal charges individuals in Colorado can face, those that are drug-related can result in some of the harshest repercussions in the event of a conviction. Even a misdemeanor for drug possession can threaten one’s future employment, loan approval or the ability to secure a place to live. A felony drug possession offense, on the other hand, can potentially result in substantial fines and several years in prison.
One of the first critical steps for many who are facing drug possession charges is to determine the most adequate criminal defense strategy possible. There are a wide variety of defenses that have been used in these cases. Many of these challenge specific evidence within a case, including any potential missteps made by law enforcement or those in positions of authority, while others directly challenge drug-related legalities.
Some of the most common criminal defense strategies for fighting drug possession charges include the following:
- The drugs belonged to another individual and there is reasonable doubt that the accused was even aware of them.
- The police conducted an illegal search and seizure upon discovering the drugs.
- The drugs brought forth as evidence by the prosecution were not the ones taken from the defendant due to a chain-of-custody issue in the manner law enforcement handled the drugs post-arrest.
- An error occurred during the crime lab testing of the alleged drugs.
No matter the unique circumstances involved in one’s drug possession case, everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. Fortunately, there is help and support readily available to those facing these serious charges. A savvy Colorado criminal defense attorney can ensure one’s rights are protected, negotiate to have the charges reduced or dismissed altogether, and can determine the best possible criminal defense strategy should the case go to trial.