Let’s be honest – facing drug charges in Castle Rock, Colorado, can feel overwhelming and scary. You’re probably filled with uncertainty and have a ton of questions about what happens next.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to navigate this alone. An experienced Castle Rock criminal defense attorney can help you understand your options and start building the strongest possible defense. This process will be much less intimidating with expert guidance at your side.
At our firm, we’ve spent decades helping people through the complex and stressful legal battles that drug charges often spark. We know the Castle Rock courts and prosecutors well. And we’ve successfully defended hundreds of drug possession cases in this jurisdiction and across Douglas County.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the key drug possession laws in Castle Rock, what to do if you’ve been arrested, and how having the right attorney by your side can make all the difference between a positive or negative outcome.
In Colorado, unlawful possession of a controlled substance is prosecuted under CRS 18-18-403.5. A drug possession charge in Castle Rock can range from a minor misdemeanor to a serious felony, depending on the circumstances. Some key factors that determine the severity of the charge include:
Here’s the chart with the drug names included for Schedule I or II:
| Drug Type | Amount | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Heroin | Up to 4 grams | Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead. |
| LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) | Up to 4 grams | Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead. |
| PCP (Phencyclidine) | Up to 4 grams | Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead. |
| Mescaline | Up to 4 grams | Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead. |
| Peyote | Up to 4 grams | Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead. |
| Oxycodone (OxyContin) | Up to 4 grams | Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead. |
| Hydrocodone (Vicodin) | Up to 4 grams | Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead. |
| Morphine | Up to 4 grams | Level 1 Drug Misdemeanor: 6-18 months in county jail and/or $500-$5,000 in fines. The judge may impose probation, up to 180 days in jail (or up to 364 days for a 3rd offense), and up to $1,000 in fines instead. |
| Heroin | More than 4 grams | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) | More than 4 grams | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| PCP (Phencyclidine) | More than 4 grams | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| Mescaline | More than 4 grams | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| Peyote | More than 4 grams | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| Oxycodone (OxyContin) | More than 4 grams | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| Hydrocodone (Vicodin) | More than 4 grams | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| Morphine | More than 4 grams | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| GHB | Any amount | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| Flunitrazepam | Any amount | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| Ketamine | Any amount | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
| Cathinone | Any amount | Level 4 Drug Felony: 6-12 months in prison (plus 1 year of parole) and/or $1,000-$100,000 in fines. A drug offender surcharge of $1,500-$4,500 may apply. |
Potential drug possession penalties range from misdemeanors to serious felonies:
A drug conviction also brings large fines, drug education classes, probation, loss of federal aid, and more. Having a criminal history heavily impacts sentencing; harsher penalties apply for repeat offenders.
The sentence you face all comes down to the specifics of your case. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced Castle Rock criminal defense lawyer analyze the details and identify the exact laws and sentencing guidelines that apply.
If you’ve already been arrested and charged with drug possession, every moment matters. Here are some steps to take right away:
You’re probably wondering how exactly a criminal defense lawyer can help fight your drug possession charges. We have many tools at our disposal:
The bottom line? Our #1 job is putting our legal skills and insider knowledge to work, fighting for the best possible outcome for you.
Here’s the positive news if you already have a drug conviction: there may still be options to reduce the impact moving forward:
Frequently Asked Questions
For marijuana plant form, possession of more than 2 ounces is a petty offense, more than 6 ounces is a misdemeanor, and more than 12 ounces is a felony. For concentrates, possession limits are much lower.
Yes, possession of any amount of these drugs, no matter how small, is prosecuted as a felony in Colorado. Even residue amounts are felonies.
Those with prior felony drug convictions face doubled penalties for subsequent convictions. Three or more felonies can result in a lifetime drug felony sentence.
