Pittsburgh Illegal Steroid Attorney

Steroid Possession Charges In Pennsylvania

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

When most people consider a drug arrest, they immediately think of street drugs such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and other illegal and addictive substances.

However, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, being caught in possession of any type of controlled substance without a valid prescription can lead to jail time, heavy fines and possible loss of license.

A conviction for a first offense of simple possession of drugs is one year of jail time and a $5,000 fine, not to mention your driver’s license would also most likely be suspended.

All this punishment despite that anabolic steroids have long been used by professional and amateur athletes alike to help gain lean muscle mass and boost performance. It is not a drug that is considered to be highly addictive or have affects that alter the mind.

However, if you are caught in possession of steroids and convicted in Pennsylvania, you will require the same defense as drugs that are thought to be more severe such as heroin, methamphetamine and other highly addictive drugs (and in Pennsylvania, marijuana).

If you have been arrested or charged with illegal steriod possession you probably have many questions about the penalties you face, sentencing guidelines, the court process and how you can fight for your rights and keep your freedom.

A drug conviction will likely have serious repercussions on your future. In addition to the criminal punishments you face, you will also have a permanent criminal record. This could affect your ability to obtain housing, gain acceptance into schools, get access to loans and find a job, in the future.

DON’T EVER THINK THAT JUST BECAUSE THE POLICE FOUND
DRUGS ON YOU THEY HAVE “PROOF” THAT YOU ARE GUILTY.

If you have been using steroids and feel you may be under investigation, or you have been arrested for possession of steroids, seek the help of an aggressive Pittsburgh drug attorney immediately.

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OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221 FOR A FREE CONSULTATION

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HOW SERIOUS ARE STEROID POSSESSION CHARGES?

In Pennsylvania, controlled substances are classified into different “schedules”. These schedules (I, II, III, IV and V) will determine the maximum level of punishment you could receive if convicted.

Anabolic steroids are classified as a Schedule III drug in Pennsylvania. This category of drugs includes those with some known medically useful purpose but require a prescription for use. While most people using steroids run a cycle of a month, you can be arrested and charged for possessing as little as one week’s worth of steroids.

Commonly used and sold in gyms, police often set up undercover operations to catch those using and distributing steroids. In addition, as internet sales have become more and more common, police have also established an undercover presence online to prevent such practices. Being caught in possession of steroids is a misdemeanor offense, while selling or distributing is a more serious felony.

It is not uncommon in undercover operations for errors to be made, or the police to rush to make an arrest.

At Ketchel Law, our greatest strength lies in critically analyzing and dissecting the details of a police officer’s report looking for inherent weaknesses and questioning the testimony of any experts or witnesses.

If the police officer conducted an illegal search or seizure or arrested you without probable cause, our law firm will immediately file a suppression motion seeking a dismissal of your charges.

An Arrest is NOT a Conviction. 

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: HAVING YOUR DRUG CHARGES DISMISSED.

A strong drug attorney with experience will fight to get your charges reduced or dismissed.

PENALTIES IN PA FOR ILLEGAL STEROID POSSESSION

In order to be found guilty of possession of steroids, the Prosecution will have to prove several things. First, they will have to prove that you, in fact, had possession.

Possession can come in two forms:

  1. Actual Possession: the police found steroids on your person.
  2. Constructive Possession: the police found steroids in an area of your control. For example, in the glove compartment of your car, or in a gym locker for which you have the key.

In addition to actual or constructive possession, they must also show that you knew the steroids were present and intended to use them.

Should the Prosecutor successfully prove these elements beyond a reasonable doubt, the punishments are as follows:

  • For a first offense, you will be charged with a misdemeanor and subject to up to one year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.
  • For a second offense, you will be charged with a misdemeanor and be subject to up to two years in jail and up to $25,000 in fines.
  • For a third offense, you will be charged with a misdemeanor and be subject to up to three years in jail and up to $25,000 in fines.

In addition to the jail and fines, you may also have your driver’s license suspended. For a first offense, six months; a second offense, one year; and a third offense, two years.

For a full list of penalties read our page on Drug Conviction Penalties in Pennsylvania.

PENALTIES FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER STEROIDS

If you are found in possession of a large amount of steroids, even if they were intended for personal use, you will likely be charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver or PWID. This charge is a felony and carries must harsher penalties than a simple possession charge. In addition, it does not matter if you planned on selling the steroids, using them all yourself, or giving them away to friends, the charge is the same.

If you are founds guilty of PWID steroids, you could face the following penalties:

  • Up to five years in jail, $15,000 in fines and a felony on your permanent record.
  • Additionally, a PWID charge may include a mandatory minimum sentence and/or Federal charges.

While anabolic steroids may not seem as hard core as narcotics, the penalties for possession are very strict. If you are found guilty, it can have an extremely negative impact on your life now—and the future.

It is important that you do not delay in finding a drug defense lawyer in Pittsburgh — call me, Justin J. Ketchel, now for a free consultation today so I can be better able to defend your rights.

Call Justin J. Ketchel today for a free consultation of your case. At Ketchel Law, we listen to all of our clients closely because we know that the slightest detail can make a difference in winning or losing a case.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: HAVING YOUR POSSESSION OF DRUGS CASE DISMISSED.

If you are charged with Possession of Steroids in Pennsylvania it is possible to be accepted into a Drug Diversion Program in PA , such as Probation Without Verdict (PWOV) which will result in a full dismissal of your charge(s) and expungement of your criminal record.

In order to find out if you qualify for PWOV, you should contact an experienced drug attorney in Pennsylvania who can help identify key points in your case.

Ketchel Law offers a free consultation and will closely listen to the details of your case in order to build a strong defense.

A conversation with an experienced drug attorney will help you better understand all the possible defenses to steroid possession charges. If the evidence cannot be suppressed or if the steroid possession charges cannot be dismissed, there are still several options for a reduction of sentencing.

Learn More About Drug Charges in Pennsylvania: