Federal and most state laws dictate that the sales of anabolic steroids, possession of steroids, or possession of steroids with intent to sell, are all classified as felonies.
Any individual who is convicted of the sale of steroids, or possesses steroids unlawfully with intent to sell, may be penalized by up to five years in prison under federal law. That same individual may face more than 5 years of punishment, depending on their states law. Almost every state has sanctioned various laws placing anabolic steroids in the Controlled Substance category.
Recent statistics estimate as many as 6 million Americans have used or currently do use steroids. While the vast majority of users do not get caught, the penalties are steep for ones that do. The legal consequences of possession of anabolic steroids may be a felony criminal charge in state or federal court. The enactment of the Federal Anabolic Steroid Control Acts of 1990, which was expanded by Congress in 2004, places steroids in the Schedule III legal class, along with barbiturates, LSD precursors, veterinary tranquilizers, and narcotic painkillers. This would make simple unlawful possession a federal offence, punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offense.
Arrests for personal steroid possession are occurring at a more frequent rate. Personal possession may be discovered through searches with warrants at a persons residence or gym. A person may also find himself or herself searched without a warrant in situations such as traffic stops, border crossings, mail order discovery, and personal searches.
The consequence of serving any prison time for an individual depends upon several factors including, but not limited to, the persons past criminal history, the strength of the prosecutions case, the persons role in the specific offense, and how effectively the case is either litigated or negotiated by defense counsel. In any circumstance, an experienced criminal defense attorney should be consulted prior to speaking to any law enforcement official.
Even if a prison sentence is ultimately avoided, the consequences of just being arrested for steroid possession are likely to result in legal expenses and even seizure or forfeiture of assets. A criminal conviction may hinder employment opportunities, require fines and include incarceration.
An individual possessing a professional license may find that a conviction could be reported to their state licensing authority, placing their current employment in jeopardy. A Schedule III drug conviction may result in the suspension of a persons drivers license and restrict their ability to purchase or own a firearm.
It is undeniable that the assistance of criminal defense counsel would be your best defense against these potential consequences.
Anabolic steroids are illegal under both state and federal laws, which means a person may be prosecuted under either jurisdiction. The agency responsible for your arrest and the seriousness of your charge dictates which court your case will be prosecuted in.
Due to the way steroid quantities are calculated under the current federal sentencing guidelines, many cases originating in a local jurisdiction are moved to federal jurisdiction where sentencing may be much more severe. For this reason investigations started by the both federal and local authorities such as the local police, sheriff and United States Postal Inspector and the United States Department of Customs are most often prosecuted in federal court.
Many states follow the federal guidelines with charging defendants arrested for possession of anabolic steroids using the guideline of 1 pill = 1 count or ml/cc equals 1 count.
The federal guidelines when applied to anabolic steroids may add up to an astonishingly high number of counts. For example, a singe week cycle using, Dianabol tablets may result in 200-450 criminal counts.
The recent changes in federal sentencing guidelines have mandated there is no difference in Schedule III narcotics. All substances listed under Schedule III are treated equally. Another concern is that based on the quantities of steroids involved in a normal cycle, one may easily be charged with possession WITH the intent to sell or deliver anabolic steroids simply based on the quantity involved.
Each individual case is unique and critical factors include, but are not limited to, the amount of steroids involved and your prior criminal record. Steroid sellers face harsher penalties than steroid buyers. In federal court, the quantity of steroids involved is very relevant under the United States Sentencing Guidelines. In state courts, various other factors may apply.
You should familiarize yourself with the current laws and potential sentencing guidelines that apply in your state of residence. It is important that you contact Imhoff & Associates immediately for a free case consultation.
Imhoff & Associates will promptly respond to questions from anyone being investigated for or charged with a crime related to anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids, although classified with Schedule III narcotics, are significantly different than other Schedule III narcotics. You must ensure that your legal representative understands the medical, moral and social differences between anabolic steroids and other Schedule III narcotics.
Below are common substances associated with steroid use. Law enforcement officers frequently confuse post cycle drugs as being anabolic steroids. In some states even possessions of the needles needed for anabolic steroids may result in a criminal charge:
2,4-Dinitrophenol
HCG
Aminoglutethimide
HGH
Anabolic agents
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin
Anabolic steroids
Human Growth Hormone
Anadrol
Insulin
Anadur
Lasix
Anastrozole
Laurabolin
Anavar
Liothyronine sodium
Andriol
Masteron
AndroGel
Mesterolone
Androstenediol
Methandriol Dipropionate
Androstenedione
Methandrostenolone
Anti-estrogen
Methenolone acetate
Arimidex
Methenolone enanthate
Aromasin
Methyltestosterone
Axymetholone
Nandrolone decanoate
Boldenone
Nandrolone hexylphenylpropionate
Boldenone Undecylenate
Nandrolone laureate
Bromocriptine
Nandrolone undecanoate
Cabergoline
Nilevar
Cheque Drops
Nolvadex
Clenbuterol
Nondrolone
Clenbuterol Hydrochloride
Norandrostenediol
Climiphene
Norandrostenedione
Clomid
Norethandrolone
Clomiphene Citrate
Omnadren 250
Clostebol
Oral Testosterone
Cypionate
Oxandrin
Cytadren
Oxandrolone
Cytomel
Oxymetholone
Cytomyl
Parabolan
Danocrine
Parlodel
Danozol
PGF2a
Deca Durabolin
Primobolan
Dehydrochlormethyl-Testosterone
Primobolan Depot
Dehydroepiandrio-Sterone
Primoteston Depot
DHEA
Propionate
DHT
Proscar
Dianabol
Prostaglandin
Dihydrotestosterone
Proviron
Diuretic
Rimobolan
DNP
Sildenafil citrate
Dostinex
Spiropent
Drostanolone
Stanozolol
Drostanolone propionate
Stenox
Durabolin
Sub-Lingual Drops
Dynabolan
Sustanon 250
Enanthate
Sustanon 250
Ephedrine Hydrochloride
Tamoxifen Citrate
Epitrenbolone
Teslac
EPO
Testolactone
Equipoise
Testosterone
Erythropoietin
Testosterone undecanoate
Esiclene
Tetrahydrogestrinone
Exemestane
THG
Finaplix
Trenbolone acetate
Finasteride
Trenbolone Cyclohexylmethylcarbonate
Fluoxymesterone
Winstrol
Gestrinone
Winstrol Depot
Halotestin
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