Illegal Wildlife Trade Defense in New York

Our New York Criminal Defense Attorneys will Fight for You!

Contrary to popular belief, in the state of New York, residents cannot freely trade in all manner of wildlife. There are certain animals and species which are prohibited from being bought or sold at both state and Federal levels. If you are facing charges of illegal wildlife trade, it is imperative to retain the help of a skilled New York criminal defense lawyer. The laws surrounding wildlife trade in New York are complex and strictly regulated. At Goldberger & Dubin, P.C., we can help you defend your rights and protect your reputation if you are facing these charges. 

Call us today for a free case evaluation at (646) 681-5997!

Prohibited and Regulated Animals

In the state of New York it is illegal to possess, transport, or cause to be transported, a wide variety of animals.

This includes the following:

• Wolves and wolf dog hybrids
• Coyotes and foxes
• Venomous reptiles
• Animals which are considered endangered

The statutes governing the wildlife trade generally do not apply to zoological facilities, research facilities, licensed veterinarians and humane societies, and state universities.

Ivory Laws in New York

In addition to the above prohibitions, the state of New York has prohibited most forms of the sale of elephant and rhinoceros ivory. Even ivory antiques are heavily regulated by the state of New York. Under federal law, only documented "antique" ivory can be sold. For the piece to qualify as an antique, the owner must have paperwork confirming several facts.

The piece must meet the following regulations:

• It must be at least 100 years old
• It cannot have been modified with endangered species after December 27, 1973
• It must have been imported through an endangered species antique port

Due to these restrictions, selling ivory in the country is difficult to accomplish legally. New York takes this law a step further and imposes even more severe regulations on ivory.

New York dictates the following:

• If an object is composed of more than 20% ivory, it can't be sold, even if it qualifies as antique.
• Vendors selling qualifying ivory must have proper licensing and maintain a rigorously updated inventory
• If a musical instrument is more than 20% ivory, it can be sold, as long as there is a record of ownership prior to 1975.

The penalties for any of these violations can result in steep fines and serious charges, not to mention a loss of property that may indeed be rightfully yours. Make sure that your rights are well-represented if you find yourself in this situation.

Penalties for Illegal Wildlife Trading

Penalties for violating the relevant New York statues regarding the illegal wildlife trade vary. For example, the law states that if a person is found to be in possession of an animal which is capable of inflicting bodily harm and has failed to exercise due care of the animal, the offender can be charged with a misdemeanor and assessed a fine of up to $500.

With 75+ Years' Combined Experience, We Can Help You!

Do not delay in contacting us to discuss your case. In wildlife trade cases, time is of the essence. The authorities may not have the best capability to care for the animal that has been seized, making its quick return to the owner especially important. The laws that govern the wildlife trade in the state of New York can be extremely confusing and complex when applied to real life situations. Due to the nature of animal classifications, and other extenuating factors which may arise in any illegal wildlife trade defense, we highly recommend that you work with one of our New York criminal defense attorneys at Goldberger & Dubin, P.C.

We take the time to understand your needs and circumstances so that we can best provide a defense that perfectly addresses your unique situation. With more than 75 years of experience, our firm can capably handle your case.

If you have been charged with illegal wildlife trade in the state of New York call our offices immediately for a free case evaluation at (646) 681-5997!