In 2013-2014, Colorado lawmakers made a new class of felonies in Weld County and across our state. Thinking that Drug Felonies were a bit less serious than other felony crimes, they carved out a Level 1 Drug Felony class, or DF1; a Level 2 Drug Felony class, or DF2; a Level 3 Drug Felony class, or DF3; a Level 4 Drug Felony class, or DF4. Plus, there are now Level 1 Drug Misdemeanors, and Level 2 Drug Misdemeanors. In comparison, we have six levels of regular felonies: Class 1 Felony; Class 2 Felony; Class 3 Felony; Class 4 Felony; Class 5 Felony; and a Class 6 Felony.
Greeley Courts’ Possible Sentences for Drug Felony Charges and Regular Felony Charges
| Class 1 Felony | Class 1 Drug Felony (DF1) | ||
| Years possible in Prison | Life | 8-32 years | |
| Class 2 Felony | Class 2 Drug Felony (DF2) | ||
| Years possible in Prison | 8-24 years | 4-8 years | |
| Class 3 Felony | Class 3 Drug Felony (DF3) | ||
| Years possible in Prison | 4-12 years | 2-4 years | |
| Class 4 Felony | Class 4 Drug Felony (DF4) | ||
| Years possible in Prison | 2-6 years | 6 months – 1 year | |
| Class 5 Felony | Class 1 Drug Misdemeanor (DM1) | ||
| Years possible in Prison / Jail | 1-3 years | 6-18 Months in the Weld County Jail | |
| Class 6 Felony | Class 2 Drug Misdemeanor (DM2) | ||
| Years possible in Prison / Jail | 1 yr-18 months | 364 days maximum Weld County Jail | |
General Rules of Drug Sentences for Users in Weld County Courts
In Weld County, Colorado, Courts, there are some general rules for drugs cases. Class 1 Drug Misdemeanors and Class 2 Drug Misdemeanors are reserved for users of less serious drugs or a small quantity. Notice this is for users – not for sellers or manufacturers. In addition, if the user of the drugs possesses more serious drugs from federal Schedule I and Schedule II lists of drugs, then it can be a class 4 drug felony.
General Rules of Drug Sentences for Dealers in Greeley, Colorado Courts
Sentences for Drug Dealers are much higher than those for users, in Greeley, Colorado Courts. Most dealers of serious and addictive drugs will find themselves facing a Class 1 Drug Felony, Class 2 Drug Felony, Class 3 Drug Felony, or a Class 4 Drug Felony. In some very limited instances where there is a transfer of a small quantity of drugs without a money exchange, or when a Schedule V drug is sold, a Class 1 Drug Misdemeanor might be charged. There are many special circumstances for unique cases, but these are the general rules.
Regular Felony Sentences General Rules in Weld County Courts
Weld County Judges have some general rules or preferences ,they use for regular felony cases. These rules include the following list:
- Sex felony cases are usually sentenced to Indeterminate Prison Sentences. This means the judge gives only a minimum sentence, and the parole department determines your maximum, up to life in prison. You don’t normally get out too quick.
- Crimes of violence with weapons used or serious bodily injury (when intended) most likely will be sentenced to prison.
- Financial crimes will generally not be sentenced to prison, unless it is a repeat offense, there are many separate instances of theft, or larger dollar amounts are involved.
- Property crimes don’t normally get a prison sentence, even for a repeat offense.
- If someone dies from a car accident and alcohol or drugs were involved, prison is likely.
- Parole eligibility is a big thing. It is possible that you can get out of prison after serving 50% of your time in non-violent type crimes; but with crimes of violence, you must generally serve 75% of your time before being parole eligible.