Illegal prescription drug possession and sales are a major problem for the State of New York. The addiction and abuse of drugs like Percocet and Oxycodone are on the rise. Law enforcement is proactive in combating this issue that impacts communities across the state. Courts are aggressive toward the illegal possession and sale of prescription drugs. The Controlled Substances Act classifies prescription drugs according to their medical use and rate of abuse and addiction. The schedule for prescription drugs ranges from Schedule II to Schedule IV. If you have been caught with prescription drugs without the appropriate documentation, you will face criminal charges. This violation could come with jail time, overwhelming fines, and a permanent criminal record that can affect your ability to keep your job and gain employment. You should contact a prescription drug possession lawyer from our firm to discuss your case. The Law Office of Kevin T. Conway will assess your case, explore all legal defenses, and effectively defend your interests.
It is illegal to be in possession of a prescription drug without the necessary documentation. According to Article 178 of the New York Penal Law, the term for illegal possession of a prescription drug is called “criminal diversion of prescription medication and prescriptions.” If you are convicted of any degree of this crime, you are facing fines and possible jail time.
Simple possession is considered criminal diversion of prescription medication and prescriptions in the fourth degree. This is a class A misdemeanor. Conviction of this offense comes with the possibility of jail time of up to 1 year and a fine of up to $1000.
If you are caught with drugs valued over $1000 or charged with a fourth-degree offense a second time, you will be charged with criminal diversion of prescription medication and prescriptions in the third degree. It is a class E felony and comes with the possibility of jail time up to 4 years.
If you are caught with drugs valued over $3000, you may be charged with criminal diversion of prescription medication and prescriptions in the second degree. This is a class D felony and comes with the possibility of 7 years in jail.
With possession of drugs valued over $50,000, you may be charged with criminal diversion of prescription medication and prescriptions in the first degree. This is a class C felony and comes with the possibility of 15 years in jail.
If you are caught with illegal prescription drugs, you could be charged with a crime. Though these crimes come with fines and jail time, the most important thing to consider is your future. If you are convicted of these crimes, you could be subject to a criminal record that is permanent. It is imperative that you contact an attorney with experience to defend your livelihood. Our firm will work to lessen the charges or have them dismissed. There are many legal defenses to explore. If you need quality criminal defense from a Rockland County attorney, contact The Law Office of Kevin T. Conway.
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