Anabolic Steroids Possession Crimes Explained by a New York City Defense Lawyer
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the naturally occurring male hormone testosterone. A doctor can prescribe these drugs for patients with a variety of health conditions, from loss of normal testicle function to breast cancer. When a patient has a legitimate prescription, it is not a crime to be in possession of anabolic steroids. However, anabolic steroids are also sold on the black market, often targeted towards people interested in body building or improving athletic performance. Anabolic steroids possession under these circumstances can result in being charged with either a state or a federal crime.
If you are charged with possession of anabolic steroids, you need to understand the laws as well as understand your options for trying to fight to avoid conviction. You could end up incarcerated and with a criminal record that impacts future opportunities. A New York City drug crimes defense lawyer at Bukh Law Firm, PLLC can help you put together a strategic defense so you can make your best effort at an acquittal or at reducing consequences for conviction on possession charges.
Anabolic Steroids Possession laws
The Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990 made it a federal offense to unlawfully be in possession of anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids were classified as a Schedule III controlled substance and a defendant who is charged with simple possession could face up to a year of imprisonment and a $1,000 fine for a first offense. Repeat offenders could face more significant penalties.
The federal government imposes harsher penalties on individuals suspect of trafficking, delivering, distributing, or unlawfully manufacturing anabolic steroids. A defendant can actually be charged with intent to manufacture or distribute, so the charges could be elevated from simple possession to a much more serious offense even if no actual sales or disribution take place. This means there’s no guarantee you’ll be charged with just possession if the federal government becomes involved in an investigation into anabolic steroid use. The amount of the steroids under your control can be determinative in whether you are charged with only possession or with possession with intent to sell.
New York also makes it illegal to be in possession of anabolic steroids without a valid prescription. Anabolic steroids are actually a Schedule II substance in New York. Anabolic steroids defined as schedule II substances include “any drug or hormonal substance, chemically and pharmacologically related to testosterone (other than estrogens, progestins, corticosteroids and dehydroepiandrosterone).” The amount of steroids under your control also impacts penalties when charged with a crime in New York State. However, NY does not charge defendants with intent to sell anabolic steroids. You will face possession charges alone except in situations where you can be charged with a criminal sale of anabolic steroids because there is evidence a sale actually occurred.
A New York City Defense Attorney Can Help With Anabolic Steroids Possession Charge
If you have been found to be in possession of anabolic steroids, you could be looking at jail time, fines, and other penalties including a life-changing criminal record which affects your future. You want to do everything you can to try to avoid the serious penalties which could result- which means getting a good lawyer.
At Bukh Law Firm, PLLC, our New York City drug crime defense team can carefully investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding your arrest. If an illegal search occurred or your constitutional rights were violated, we can help you to try to suppress evidence. We can also assist you in exploring options for pre-trial diversion which may exist for first time offenders charged with simple possession of anabolic steroids and which may make it possible to avoid a criminal record.
Negotiating a plea deal and presenting a defense to try for an acquittal are also options and our legal team is experienced with both negotiating and litigation in criminal drug possession cases. To learn more about how a NYC attorney can help if you’ve been charged with possession of anabolic steroids, give us a call today.
