NY Penal Law 220.03 – Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree

New York Penal Law 220.03 pertains to the criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree.

If you have been charged with breaking NY Penal Law 220.03, you should contact a drug crimes defense attorney.

Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree.

A person is guilty of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree when he or she knowingly and unlawfully possesses a controlled substance; provided, however, that it shall not be a violation of this section when a person possesses a residual amount of a controlled substance and that residual amount is in or on a hypodermic syringe or hypodermic needle obtained and possessed pursuant to section thirty-three hundred eighty-one of the public health law; nor shall it be a violation of this section when a person’s unlawful possession of a controlled substance is discovered as a result of seeking immediate health care as defined in paragraph (b) of subdivision three of section 220.78 of the penal law, for either another person or him or herself because such person is experiencing a drug or alcohol overdose or other life-threatening medical emergency as defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision three of section 220.78 of the penal law.

Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree is a class A misdemeanor.