Pharmacy robbery – what counts as a pharmacy?

Robbery is one of the most serious criminal offenses anyone can commit. The crime deprives another person of their property, but it also usually involves the offender inflicting violence or threatening to inflict violence.

The offense becomes even more serious if the property stolen by the offender happens to be addictive and abusable drugs from pharmacies. Some of the drugs dispensed by pharmacies have a high abuse risk despite having accepted medical uses, such as certain stimulants and depressants.

Alabama law even has a specific law prohibiting “pharmacy robbery.” By law, an offender commits the crime if they steal a controlled substance from a pharmacy. But what exactly counts as a pharmacy under this rule?

Facilities storing or dispensing controlled substances

Under Alabama law, a “pharmacy” is any building, physician’s office, hospital, pharmaceutical house or other structure used for the sale and dispensing of controlled substances. The law also mentions warehouses and other similar buildings used by pharmaceutical producers or distributors to store the drugs, which also count as pharmacies.

The law applies to all pharmacies regardless of location – be it a medical clinic, nursing home, grocery store or chain store – as long as the location has a license to dispense or store drugs.

The penalties for pharmacy robbery

If a court convicts a person of pharmacy robbery, the person faces imprisonment with hard labor for up to 99 years. In addition, they’ll be ineligible for consideration for alternative sentencing such as parole, probation or a suspended sentence.

However, if a court convicts a person for a second or subsequent time, they will face life imprisonment. They’ll also be ineligible for alternative sentencing.

In conclusion, Alabama’s pharmacy robbery law is a serious offense with significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines. If you face charges for allegedly stealing a drug you didn’t know was a controlled substance, you don’t have to face them alone. Consider consulting with a criminal defense lawyer who may be able to represent you in the hearing and ensure your rights are upheld.

Attorney Brad Hawley

Attorney Brad Hawley possesses years of practical experience focused on bankruptcy, civil and criminal defense. He has prosecuted and defended clients in state court, and is a former enlisted member of the United States Army. Brad is driven by his desire to help people that have been hurt by the legal system, and is dedicated to fixing injustices he sees around him. [ Attorney Bio ]