Under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990, which applies across the country (USA), steroids are in the same legal class -- Schedule III -- as barbiturates, LSD precursors, veterinary tranquilizers like ketamine and narcotic painkillers like Vicodin.

Simple possession is a federal offense punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a minimum fine of $1,000.

Selling steroids, or possessing them with intent to sell, is a federal felony. An individual who sells steroids, or possesses them intent to sell, is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine for a first offense (actual sentencing in specific cases is based upon the United States Sentencing Guidelines, as fully described in LEGAL MUSCLE ).

According to steroid law expert Rick Collins, state laws vary widely. Most states, but not all, have added anabolic steroids to their schedules of controlled substances (a complete list of all state steroid laws is contained in LEGAL MUSCLE).

For examples, in Florida and Georgia, simple possession of steroids in any amount is a felony with up to five years imprisonment, and in Alabama it's a felony with up to ten years in prison! In Louisiana, you can face imprisonment with hard labor for a first offense of mere personal use possession!

Even if a jail sentence is ultimately avoided, the consequences of an arrest alone include being handcuffed, fingerprinted, and hauled before a judge for arraignment in open court.

There will likely be legal expenses and even forfeiture of seized assets. A criminal conviction may prevent or interfere with employment opportunities in many fields such as law enforcement, and members of certain professions involving licensing (physicians, lawyers, dentists, pharmacists, teachers, nurses, cosmetologists, public accountants, architects, auctioneers, barbers, and licensed counselors, just to name a few) can expect a conviction to be reported to their state licensing authority, placing current employment in jeopardy.

A drug conviction can suspend a person's driver's license (it's mandatory in some jurisdictions) and be a bar to the ability to own a firearm.

The absolutely essential, must-read guide to anyone arrested for anabolic steroids is LEGAL MUSCLE see details here.

If you've been arrested for anabolic steroids, hire a good lawyer. An able and experienced criminal defense attorney is essential to obtaining the best possible result in any criminal matter. Of course, it's not as helpful if he or she doesn't know much of anything about anabolic steroids.

Few state or local police, federal agents, prosecutors or judges are educated about the substances themselves or the fine points of the laws they are enforcing.

It's not uncommon for offense laws and sentencing guidelines to be misapplied. Moreover, the endless misinformation and propaganda reported in the mainstream press about steroids and their adverse effects has severely biased the beliefs of those in the criminal justice system.

A prosecutor whose knowledge of anabolic steroids is based on what has been printed in the lay press may be inclined to offer an inappropriately severe plea, or a judge may be inclined to impose an unduly harsh sentence. When defense counsel is undereducated, the end result can be disaster for the client.

Discuss with your lawyer his or her level of knowledge about anabolic steroids. It's important for your lawyer to understand what anabolic steroids are, how they compare with and differ from recreational drugs, how they affect the body and mind, and how and why they came to become classified as controlled substances.

It's also crucial for him to know the specific anabolic steroid laws and sentencing guidelines that will apply in your case.

The prime source for all this information is LEGAL MUSCLE.

Make sure that both you and your lawyer are fully familiar with it. Many clients take the further step of insisting that the lawyer on the case arranges a consultation with Rick Collins as to the facts of the particular case. Other clients simply hire Rick as lead counsel.

If you have been arrested for anabolic steroids, feel free to call Collins, McDonald & Gann, P.C., for further information. Rick Collins and his law partners are committed to defending those who are prosecuted for anabolic steroids.

Rick Collins and his team of "legal muscle" will promptly respond to questions from anyone being investigated for or charged with a crime related to anabolic steroids.

Where appropriate, a referral will be made to qualified counsel in another jurisdiction. The firm of Collins, McDonald & Gann, P.C., is available 24 hours, 7 days a week (for emergencies only) by calling 516-294-0300. Other phone inquiries are answered weekdays between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. EST, or by email to info@cmgesq.com.

The firm also handles all other criminal matters, including white-collar crime, fraud, narcotics cases, thefts, assaults, and serious traffic offenses (including suspended license charges).

In fact, feel free to call with any legal question; if Rick and his firm don't handle your type of case, they can try to connect you with an experienced attorney who does. To learn more about the firm, visit online at attorneydefense.com and be sure to take a very serious look here.