Although the purchase and use of personal amounts of marijuana by adults over the age of 21 has been legal in Colorado for a while now, many people are surprised to find themselves under arrest because they smoke while or shortly before getting behind the wheel of a car. If that has happened to you, it is important to know what your options are and what you can expect in your future after allegedly making that mistake. Therefore, it is a good idea to ask the following questions of any attorney that you may consider hiring to provide your defense for the charges brought against you.
Why Were You Arrested?
Even though you were surely read your rights after your arrest and you certainly know what the charges were, understanding why you were arrested for using a product that is legal in Colorado is often confusing. The answer often relates to the amount of marijuana you had with you at the time of your arrest and how much marijuana you had in your system at the time.
For instance, you can buy only ¼ of an ounce at a time from one of the legal marijuana retail locations throughout the state if you are visiting Colorado and you can buy one ounce at a time if you are a permanent resident. You are not allowed to have more than an ounce in your possession for recreational use, so if you had more, that could have contributed to your arrest.
Will Your THC Level Impact What Happens Next?
It is important to note that the laws in Colorado about smoking weed while driving are very similar to those that relate to drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel. Specifically, if your bloodstream shows as little as five nanograms of active THC in your system and you were caught driving, you can expect to be arrested for driving under the influence on a similar charge.
A level that was not at least five nanograms or that was not tested at the time of your arrest may help later in your defense. However, being visibly impaired by your marijuana use can be a viable reason for arrest, so the situation is quite complicated. Therefore, plan to share as much information as possible with your lawyer, someone from a place like the Law Offices of Daniel Aaronson.
What Is the Attorney's Track Records With Getting Cases Such As Yours Dropped Or Reduced?
Since a conviction related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can impact your life for many years after conviction, it is a good idea to choose an attorney who has been previously successful with getting those types if charges minimized or dropped. While no guarantee can ever be made about a person's ability to negotiate a better result for you, having been able to do so for other clients in a similar situation in recent years is a very good sign for your future.
In conclusion, while smoking pot in Colorado is legal in small amounts by adults who are not prohibited from doing so, doing so when driving can easily land you behind bars. If that happened to you, you need immediate and experienced legal representation. Fortunately, by asking the above questions it will be easier to find that person.
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