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    When Is A Colorado Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge 18-19-103 Not Mandatory – A New Colorado Case – 2014

    By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Drug Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer

    When Is A Colorado Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge 18-19-103 Not Mandatory – A New Colorado Case – 2014 – One of the difficult aspects of criminal convictions in Colorado are the – sometimes – large fines – couched as “surcharges” that are imposed at the time of sentencing. These surcharges appear most often in Colorado sex and drug crime cases.

    When Is A Colorado Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge 18-19-103 Not Mandatory - A New Colorado Case - 2014


    When Is A Colorado Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge 18-19-103 Not Mandatory – A New Colorado Case – 2014

    In a recent decision by the Colorado Court of Appeals – People v. Archuleta-Ferales, 2014 COA 178 (December 31, 2014), the Court reversed a lower court’s decision on the issue of compelling a Defendant convicted of a serious drug crime to pay the Colorado Mandatory Drug Offender Surcharge

    The Ruling – No Such Thing As A Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge -18-19-103

    In Archuleta-Ferales, a Mesa County Judge had ruled that no portion of the drug offender surcharge could be waived unless he found the defendant was unable to pay all of the surcharge.

    The Court of Appeals said no to that reasoning citing the plain language of the law.

    Here is the rule: a judge HAS the authority to waive any portion of the mandatory drug offender surcharge IF the judge finds the defendant does not have the financial means to pay the fine. unable to pay.

    The trial court judge must first find – before the judge can order the entire surcharge – that the defendant is able to pay the entire surcharge. Only then may the Judge refuse to waive any part of the surcharge.

    In making this determination – the Judge CAN consider a defendant’s family contributions to living expenses and the defendant’s future ability to pay the surcharge to make the finding of a financially ability to pay the surcharge.

    What Are The Present Colorado Drug Offender Surcharges?

    After a conviction of a Colorado drug crime – pursuant to Section 18-19-103 – certain drug surcharges apply – here they are:

    Colorado Fees Chart Colorado Felonies

    Reprinted below, as of 2014, is the actual section of the law – 18-19-103 – that applies:

    § 18-19-103. Source of revenues – allocation of moneys

    (1) For offenses committed on and after July 1, 1996, each drug offender who is convicted, or receives a deferred sentence pursuant to section 18-1.3-102 , shall be required to pay a surcharge to the clerk of the court in the county in which the conviction occurs or in which the deferred sentence is entered. Such surcharge shall be in the following amounts:

    (a) For each class 2 felony or level 1 drug felony of which a person is convicted, four thousand five hundred dollars;

    (b) For each class 3 felony or level 2 drug felony of which a person is convicted, three thousand dollars;

    (c) For each class 4 felony or level 3 drug felony of which a person is convicted, two thousand dollars;

    (d) For each class 5 felony or level 4 drug felony of which a person is convicted, one thousand five hundred dollars;

    (e) For each class 6 felony of which a person is convicted, one thousand two hundred fifty dollars;

    (f) For each class 1 misdemeanor or level 1 drug misdemeanor of which a person is convicted, one thousand dollars;

    (g) For each class 2 misdemeanor of which a person is convicted, six hundred dollars;

    (h) For each class 3 misdemeanor or level 2 drug misdemeanor of which a person is convicted, three hundred dollars

    Section 18-19-103(6) states:

    (a) The court may not waive any portion of the surcharge required by this section unless the court first finds that the drug offender is financially unable to pay any portion of said surcharge.

    (b) The finding required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (6) shall only be made after a hearing at which the drug offender shall have the burden of presenting clear and convincing evidence that he is financially unable to pay any portion of the surcharge.

    (c) The court shall waive only that portion of the surcharge which the court has found the drug offender is financially unable to pay.

    The Defendant Must First Assert The Inability To Pay The Surcharge

    The burden of proof falls on the shoulders of the convicted Colorado drug crime Defendant to prove by clear and convincing evidence – that he or she cannot pay the surcharge or a portion thereof.

    The Judge then has the authority to waive any portion of the “mandatory” drug offender surcharge that the Judge determines the Defendant is financially unable to pay. The Judge must waive that portion of the surcharge that the Judge finds the Defendant cannot pay.

    Section 18-19-103(6) permits the drug offender surcharge to be waived “in full or in part based upon a defendant’s financial ability to pay.”

    The Judge’s Determination of An Inability to Pay The Colorado Drug Offender Surcharge

    in making the determination of the inability to pay the Judge’s inquiry must focus on a person’s present ability to pay, not the person’s AND the Defendant’s future ability to pay.

    The Judge may consider a Defendant’s “historical expenses and income” as well that Defendant’s “reasonable prospects for future employment in light of her disabilities and any assets she may have, in determining her ability to pay the surcharge.”

    But this finding cannot be made on speculative “future increases or decreases in income or expenses in the absence of a record basis for making such projections” and must be supported by competent evidence in the record.

    Summary – The Colorado Drug Offender Surcharge A Big Nut To Crack At Exactly The Wrong Time

    The Colorado Drug Offender Surcharge may come as a shock at the time of sentencing for many of those convicted of Colorado drug crimes. The competent and experienced Colorado criminal defense lawyer should gather whatever financial information that is available to the Defendant along with the Defendant’s sworn testimony if necessary – to reduce or even eliminate that financial burden at the time of sentencing.

    When Is A Colorado Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge 18-19-103 Not Mandatory – A New Colorado Case – 2014

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    Never stop fighting – never stop believing in yourself and your right to due process of law.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author at [email protected] – A Denver Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-220-2277. Attorney H. Michael Steinberg is passionate about criminal defense. His extensive knowledge and experience of Colorado Criminal Law gives him the edge you need to properly handle your case.

    A Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. If you are seeking counsel there maybe other more specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics. For that, please contact the author.

    If you are charged with A Colorado crime or you have questions about the topic of this article –When Is A Colorado Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge 18-19-103 Not Mandatory – A New Colorado Case – 2014, please call our office. The Law Offices of H. Michael Steinberg, in Denver, Colorado, provide criminal defense clients with effective, efficient, intelligent and strong legal advocacy. We can educate you and help you navigate the stressful and complex legal process related to your criminal defense issue.

    Over 40 Years Specializing in Colorado Criminal LawH. Michael Steinberg, is a Denver, Colorado criminal defense lawyer with over 40 years of day to day courtroom experience – specializing in Colorado Criminal Law along the Front Range. He will provide you with a free initial case consultation to evaluate your legal issues and to answer your questions with an honest assessment of your options. Remember, it costs NOTHING to discuss your case. Call now for an immediate free phone consultation.

    Helping Clients To Make Informed Decisions In the Defense of Colorado Criminal Cases.

    Contact A Lawyer with Three Decades of Experience as a Denver Criminal Attorney at The Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm today.

    Colorado Defense Lawyer H. Michael Steinberg regularly appears and provides solid criminal defense for clients throughout the Front Range of Colorado – including the courts of:

    Adams County (Adams County criminal defense lawyer), Arapahoe County (Arapahoe County criminal defense lawyer), City and County of Boulder (Boulder County criminal defense lawyer), City and County of Broomfield (Broomfield County criminal defense lawyer), City and County of Denver (Denver criminal defense lawyer), Douglas County (Douglas County criminal defense lawyer), El Paso County – Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyer), Gilpin County (Gilpin County criminal defense lawyer), Jefferson County (Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer), Larimer County, and Weld County ( Larimer and Weld County criminal defense lawyer,….

    and all the other cities and counties of Colorado along the I-25 Corridor… on cases involving the subject of this article – When Is A Colorado Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge 18-19-103 Not Mandatory – A New Colorado Case – 2014.

    Summary
    The Colorado Drug Offender Surcharge 18-19-103 A Big Nut To Crack At Exactly The Wrong Time
    Article Name
    The Colorado Drug Offender Surcharge 18-19-103 A Big Nut To Crack At Exactly The Wrong Time
    Description
    When Is A Colorado Mandatory Drug Crime Surcharge 18-19-103 Not Mandatory - A New Colorado Case - One of the difficult aspects of criminal convictions in Colorado are the - sometimes - large fines - couched as "surcharges" that are imposed at the time of sentencing. These surcharges appear most often in Colorado sex and drug crime cases.
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    ___________________________
    H. Michael Steinberg Esq.
    Attorney and Counselor at Law
    The Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm of H. Michael Steinberg
    A Denver, Colorado Lawyer Focused Exclusively On
    Colorado Criminal Law For Over 40 Years.
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