LEGAL DRUGS OFTEN INVOLVED IN INCIDENTS, CRIMINAL DEFENSE

It’s no secret that substances and legal issues often collide. Drugs do not have to be illegal to play a role in a criminal matter. In fact, legal substances like alcohol and pharmaceuticals are among the substances most commonly associated with crimes. Understanding how drugs factor into criminal justice in Colorado can impact criminal defense cases. As such, it can help to understand which drugs are most commonly associated with criminal charges.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, alcohol is one of the substances most commonly involved with criminal charges. The most common of these is driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition, the role of alcohol may come into play in criminal charges for violent crimes, such as physical or sexual assault, if either the alleged perpetrator or victim was involved.

Pharmaceutical drugs are another legal substance that can lead to a driving under the influence charge, among other legal issues. In the case of pharmaceuticals, purchasing or selling these drugs outside of official channels can also lead to legal ramifications. Doctors who prescribe these drugs in a way that authorities deem reckless can also be held criminally responsible. Since many pharmaceuticals can be addictive, particularly those used to treat pain, authorities are beginning to address these issues in larger numbers.

When a crime takes place, the police will ask many questions to witnesses, the victim and suspects. Often, they seek to understand the extent to which drugs were involved in the incident. In drug-related charges and DUIs, this plays a particularly important role. A Colorado lawyer can help clarify how drugs and substances intersect with their particular criminal charge and potential criminal defense.