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New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 220.03 — Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 220: Controlled Substances Offenses, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 220.03

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 220.03Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
220.03 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; 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 this article, 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 this article. Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree is a class A misdemeanor.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

What class of misdemeanor is criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree in New York?

Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree is a Class A Misdemeanor in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 220.03.

Which New York statute covers criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree?

Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 220.03 (Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.