Written by Rick Collins, J.D.
06 September 2018

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Federal Sentencing for Steroids

Hard Time for Hardbodies?

 

Q: How much federal time are you looking at for selling steroids online?

A: Federal sentences are tied to the United States Sentencing Guidelines. There’s a chart with “Offense Level” on one axis and “Criminal History Category” on the other. Judges must look at the guidelines in sentencing an offender. In drug cases, the Offense Level is largely driven by the number of drug “units.” One steroid unit is one pill, capsule or tablet, or in the case of liquids, one unit is .5 ml (for powders, 25 mg is one unit). The more units, the greater the Offense Level. The Criminal History Category reflects past criminal behavior (a point-based system). The more prior convictions, the higher the Category (from I to VI).

 

I’ve created a chart specific to anabolic steroids showing how the number of units drives up the range in months of prison exposure, and how it relates to past criminal history. For liquids, I used the familiar measure of 10 mL vials for easy reference. I’ve limited the Criminal History column to only Categories I and II (less extensive prior conviction history). So, for example, trafficking 1,500 pills (1,500 units) and 700 vials of 10 mL (14,000 units) would be 15,500 total units and a base Offense Level 14 (15 to 21 months imprisonment if no priors). A more comprehensive chart is on the blog at https://www.steroidlaw.com/

 

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The number of units and criminal history, however, provide only the starting point in federal steroid trafficking sentences. Other factors adjust the guideline level upward or downward— e.g., leading others in the crime, laundering the proceeds, or mass marketing online can increase the range, while accepting responsibility by pleading guilty can lower it. Some adjustments are unique to steroid cases. Great lawyering can achieve a sentence substantially below the applicable guideline range.

           

Even experienced federal criminal practitioners often have little or no experience in steroid sentencing. If you or anyone you know is charged with a steroid crime, be sure to hire a lawyer who has a clue. If you’re in the game, feel free to keep my number handy. I’m at 516-294-0300 and I’m here to help.

 

Rick Collins, JD, CSCS [https://rickcollins.com/] is the lawyer that members of the bodybuilding community and nutritional supplement industry turn to when they need legal help or representation. [© Rick Collins, 2017. All rights reserved. For informational purposes only, not to be construed as legal or medical advice.]

 

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