Under Colorado law, it is illegal for anyone to knowingly manufacture a controlled substance or to knowingly possess a controlled substance with intent to manufacture it unless the person has legal authorization to engage in such activity.
If you have been charged with drug manufacturing in Colorado, do not wait to seek trusted legal advice. The charge could carry serious consequences. At Peakstone Law Group, formerly known as Patterson Weaver, we will be dedicated to helping you fight for your liberty and your future.
Our criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience with defending clients against drug manufacturing and other drug-related charges throughout Colorado. We are ready to review your case and help you to understand your options. Get started today and contact us for a free consultation.
Why You Need Our Drug Manufacturing Defense Attorneys
Our founding attorney, Patterson Weaver, is a former prosecutor. He has an insider’s perspective on how drug manufacturing cases are investigated and prosecuted in Colorado. Our legal team at Peakstone Law Group will be dedicated to seeking the best possible outcome for you. Don’t face your drug charges alone. You can count on us to:
- Conduct a comprehensive investigation, thoroughly review all the evidence, and perform all necessary legal research. We want to tailor a defense strategy to meet your needs and goals.
- Provide you with an honest, straightforward assessment of the evidence in your case and the possible consequences of a drug manufacturing charge. Our job is not only to fight hard for you. We also want to make sure you fully understand your Colorado drug manufacturing charges.
- Maintain open, responsive communication with you throughout your case. We understand the importance of keeping you updated. When you contact us, you can expect a response in 24 hours or less.
- Negotiate aggressively with the prosecution to seek a dismissal or reduction of your drug manufacturing charges. If your case goes to trial, our highly experienced criminal defense trial attorneys will be prepared to fight for you in court.
What Constitutes Drug Manufacturing Under Colorado Law?
Colorado law specifically makes it a crime to knowingly manufacture a controlled substance as well as to:
- Possess with intent to manufacture a controlled substance
- Induce, attempt to induce, or conspire with one or more persons to manufacture a controlled substance
- Possess one or more chemicals, supplies, or equipment with intent to manufacture a controlled substance
Many different acts can fall under the definition of “manufacturing,” including propagating, producing, preparing, compounding, or processing a drug. Even simply applying a label to a controlled substance or packaging it could potentially lead to a narcotics manufacturing charge in Colorado.
A controlled dangerous substance is any drug, substance, or immediate precursor that is included in Schedules I-V of the Colorado Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Prescription drugs, recreational drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and synthetic drugs are among the substances you can find listed in the schedules. They are categorized based on their medical benefits and risks of misuse.
The types of controlled substances that most commonly lead to Colorado charges for manufacturing drugs include:
- Cocaine
- Psilocybin (mushrooms), LSD, and other hallucinogens
- Ecstasy, GHB, and ketamine
- Heroine and methadone
- Methamphetamines
- Opioids such as oxycontin, fentanyl, and codeine
- Anabolic steroids
If you are a Colorado resident who is age 21 or older, you can grow up to six marijuana plants inside of your home in a secure location that cannot be accessed by minors, with no more than three of the plants in the flowering stage. However, if you cultivate more plants than legally permitted or engage in the manufacturing and processing of marijuana without being licensed to do so, you could face criminal charges.
Penalties for Drug Manufacturing in Colorado
If you have been charged with manufacturing drugs in Colorado, the three main factors affecting the penalties you could potentially face, including fines and loss of your freedom, are the following:
- The type of controlled substance
- The amount of the controlled substance
- Your prior criminal record
If you are found guilty of committing two or more drug manufacturing crimes in any six-month period, the amount could be aggregated for sentencing purposes. The range of penalties for manufacturing a controlled substance (marijuana excluded) includes:
- Level 1 Drug Felony — A fine of $5,000 to $1 million, drug offender surcharge of $4,500, and eight to 32 years in prison (with a mandatory minimum of eight years and three years of mandatory parole)
- Level 2 Drug Felony — A fine of $3,000 to $750,000, drug offender surcharge of $3,000, and four to eight years in prison (with two years of mandatory parole)
- Level 3 Drug Felony — A fine of $2,000 to $500,000, drug offender surcharge of $2,000, and two to four years in prison (with one year of mandatory parole)
- Level 4 Drug Felony — A fine of $1,000 to $100,000, drug offender surcharge of $1,500, and jail or prison from six months to one year (with one year of mandatory parole)
- Level I Drug Misdemeanor — A fine of $500 to $5,000 and six to 18 months in jail
Potential Defense Strategies for Colorado Drug Manufacturing Charges
At Peakstone Law Group, we understand the serious ramifications of a drug manufacturing charge in Colorado. We will explore all possible defenses in your case. Examples of defenses that could be available include:
- The controlled substances were seized as the result of an illegal search and seizure
- Problems occurred in the chain of custody
- The amount of the substance was miscalculated
- You did not knowingly possess the illegal drugs
- The substances were produced for personal use
Under some circumstances, a prosecutor may elect to reduce the drug charges from a high-level drug offense to a lower one or from Level 4 drug felonies to a Level 1 misdemeanor. A criminal defense attorney with a well-prepared strategy will put you in the best position to negotiate a plea agreement if that is your goal.
How Our Lawyers Help People Facing Drug Manufacturing Charges
At Peakstone Law Group, LLC, we have a record of positive outcomes when dealing with drug manufacturing charges in Colorado Springs and throughout the state. From the day you hire us, we will fight for your best interests and work closely with you to determine the best way forward.
Contact us today for a free case review from our drug manufacturing defense attorneys in Colorado Springs.