{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "178.20", "citation": "Penal Law § 178.20", "heading": "Criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the second degree", "text": ["§ 178.20 Criminal diversion of prescription medications and", "prescriptions in the second degree.", "A person is guilty of criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the second degree when he or she commits a criminal diversion act, and the value of the benefit exchanged is in excess of three thousand dollars.", "Criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the second degree is a class D felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/178.20", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits second-degree criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions by **committing a criminal diversion act** when the exchanged benefit’s value **exceeds $3,000**. ★ It is a **class D felony**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/178.20", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}