In Fort Collins, you can be charged with Possession of Weapons by a Previous Offender / POWPO if you possess, purchase or own a firearm after conviction of a felony offense. If you are facing POWPO charges, you will need the best Larimer County criminal defense lawyer to represent you at the Larimer County Court. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to Colorado’s Possession of Weapons by a Previous Offender statute. Even temporary possession of a firearm can result in serious consequences that jeopardize your future. Don’t let this happen to you, and call a top Fort Collins criminal defense attorney today. Below, our top Larimer County criminal defense lawyers discuss:
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1. Fort Collins Definition of Possession of Weapons by a Previous Offender, C.R.S. 18-12-108 – POWPO
The Fort Collins definition of Possession of Weapons by a Previous Offender, C.R.S. 18-12-108, is as follows:
By this definition, POWPO is charged when a person purchases or owns a firearm or other weapon after previous conviction of a felony offense. There are a few felony offenses that are not included in the list that would preclude a person from possessing a firearm, but they are few and far between.
2. Are There Exceptions to Possession of Weapons by Previous Offenders in Larimer County?
Other than the few felony offenses, like Theft, that do not take a person’s right to own a weapon after a conviction is entered, it is important to know that there are no exceptions to Possession of Weapons by Previous Offenders in Larimer County. Many people ask if they can legally purchase a gun if they were convicted of a felony 20 years ago and have since learned from their mistakes. Others wonder if they possess a firearm if their Larimer County Court criminal record was sealed. Sadly, your present circumstances do not matter. Regardless of how long it has been since your felony conviction, or even if your criminal record was sealed, you cannot legally possess a firearm.
3. POWPO Sentences and Penalties in Loveland and Estes Park
POWPO is a class 5 felony in Loveland and Estes Park. Sentences and penalties for this offense include:
- 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections
- 2 years of mandatory parole after incarceration
- A fine of $1,000 to $100,000
Additionally, if the defendant used or threatened to use a firearm in the commission of another crime, he is ineligible for alternative sentences like probation.
Do not wait to contact a top Larimer County criminal defense lawyer if you are facing POWPO charges. You worked hard to turn your life around after your felony conviction, and a POWPO charge threatens to undermine all you worked for. Let the best criminal defense attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office take on your case and represent you at the Larimer County Court. We will aggressively fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
Are you facing a Possession of Weapons by a Previous Offender charges? Get in contact with an experienced criminal defense lawyer today at the O’Malley Law Office to 970-658-0007 to talk about your case. In the meantime, exercise your right to remain silent and do not talk to law enforcement. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Larimer County Courthouse is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Karolina Grabowska