{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "178.15", "citation": "Penal Law § 178.15", "heading": "Criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the third degree", "text": ["§ 178.15 Criminal diversion of prescription medications and", "prescriptions in the third degree.", "A person is guilty of criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the third degree when he or she:", "1. commits a criminal diversion act, and the value of the benefit exchanged is in excess of one thousand dollars; or", "2. commits the crime of criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the fourth degree, and has previously been convicted of the crime of criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the fourth degree.", "Criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the third degree is a class E felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/178.15", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits third-degree criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions when the person:\n- **(1)** **commits a criminal diversion act** involving an exchanged benefit valued at **more than $1,000**; or\n- **(2)** **commits fourth-degree criminal diversion after a previous fourth-degree conviction**. ★\nThe offense is a **class E felony**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/178.15", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}