Prescription Fraud - A Drug Crime Lawyer Can Help

If you're facing prescription fraud charges, you should contact an experienced drug crime lawyer immediately. Most people don't realize that possession of drugs that are not prescribed to you is a serious crime. This article explains the consequences of prescription fraud and how an attorney can help.

We often think about hiring a drug crime lawyer to help out in cases that involve the sale or use of illegal drugs. But what most people don't realize is that using prescription drugs without a prescription is also illegal. Taking prescription drugs illegally is called prescription fraud, and the number of cases in the United States is growing each year.

Prescription fraud usually refers to writing fraudulent prescriptions either by individuals or medical professionals. This may be done by altering a prescription in some way such as changing the patient's name or the amount to be prescribed. Although the consequences are less severe, possession of drugs that aren't prescribed to you also fits in this category.

Just A Headache

Why do people commit prescription fraud? There are many reasons and not all are for fun. Some people simply 'borrow' a friend or relative's pills for a headache or to get to sleep. A teenager may take a sibling's ADHD drugs to lose weight or stay alert while studying. While these cases seem innocent enough, they constitute prescription fraud and there can be severe penalties.

More serious cases involve a person selling their pills to others for profit. Surprisingly, this is on the rise among senior citizens. It's not always done strictly for profit, but may be done to help out someone who can't get a prescription.

Your Drug Crime Lawyer Can Help

If you're arrested for possession of pills that are not prescribed to you doesn't mean that jail time is imminent. If you're arrested, it's best to exercise your Fourth Amendment right and stay quiet until your drug crime lawyer can be present. You'll have a consultation with them and explain everything that happened leading up to the arrest, and they can decide how to handle your case.

One of the main issues that your drug crime lawyer will investigate is how the police obtained the drug. They'll investigate the events that led up to the arrest to see if the police may have searched your home or car illegally. This will involve reviewing police reports and other documents of the case.

What Happens If Convicted

Just like possession of illegal drugs, prescription fraud has serious consequences. It can result in jail time, although first offenses usually don't. Prescription fraud is a felony. Convictions mean fines, possible jail time, and addiction treatment. You may be required to complete classes and all of this costs more money. Even if you're convicted, your drug crime lawyer can help you by lessening the sentence.

The illegal use of prescription drugs is a sensitive area of law. If you're facing charges, it's important to hire a skilled drug crime lawyer to handle your case. They can help you get your sentence reduced and they may even be able to get the charges against you thrown out.

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