There are thousands of types of medications that are designed for a multitude of ailments. Doctors prescribe medications that are not available over the counter. These prescription medications are supposed to be used to treat specific ailments and for a defined period of time. Unfortunately, many prescription medications can be addictive, and patients may want to continue taking the drugs even after their initial medical problem has been resolved. Laws are in place to prevent prescription fraud. If you have been charged with prescription fraud you will want to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
What is Prescription Fraud?
Prescription fraud is covered under North Carolina General Statutes 90 – 108. Prescription fraud encompasses a variety of illegal behaviors and includes a number of controlled substances. Prescription fraud happens when someone who is not prescribed a particular medication obtains the drug. Doctors or other medical professionals may also take part in prescription fraud crimes. A person may illegally obtain a prescription by impersonating someone else, through doctor-shopping, by forging a prescription, or by altering a prescription. A doctor may provide a prescription to an individual when the person does not medically require it.
What Medications are Commonly Involved in Prescription Fraud?
Prescription medications are designed to treat specific illnesses or conditions. These types of drugs may be addictive and are therefore considered dangerous when someone takes them outside of a doctor’s prescription. North Carolina law provides a controlled substance schedule that categorizes types of drugs. These include opiates, fentanyl, opium derivatives, hallucinogens, depressants, stimulants, and others.
Any medication that is available by prescription may be part of prescription fraud. Some of the most common drugs that are involved in illegal activity include Oxycodone, Xanax, Hydrocodone, Vicodin, Ritalin, Valium, Morphine, Ketamine, and OxyContin, to name just a few. When not taken according to a doctor’s directions, the medication could be addictive, dangerous, and potentially lethal.
Penalties for Prescription Fraud
Prescription fraud charges may be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the type of drug, severity of the crime, and whether you have any prior drug convictions. For instance, the charges are more severe for someone who obtained drugs with the intent to sell them. If you are convicted of prescription fraud, it could have a long-term impact on your life. Penalties may include fines, probation, jail sentences, and more. As a doctor, if you are convicted of prescription fraud, you could lose your license and may be unable to practice medicine. In addition to prescription fraud charges, you may face additional charges of possession or trafficking. If convicted of a felony, you will not be able to possess or own a firearm.
Prescription fraud charges are serious, and you will need a vigorous defense. If you are facing criminal charges, you will want to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to talk to our legal team.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC make it their mission to zealously defend their clients on a wide range of criminal matters at both the state and federal levels. These matters may include any charge from traffic offenses; DWI/DUI; drug charges (from simple possession to possession with intent to distribute and trafficking); gun permit denials; weapons offenses; and property crimes (larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, white collar offenses); to sexually related offenses (indecent exposure; sexual assault, crimes against nature, removal from sex offender registry); and violent crimes (domestic violence; assault; manslaughter; homicide, murder). Other legal issues that Arnold & Smith, PLLC criminal clients may be facing include restraining orders, restraining order and probation violations, expungements; appeals; and immigration issues related to criminal charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are passionate about ensuring that individuals empower themselves by being informed about their constitutional rights, and stand at the ready to fight in the defense of those facing criminal charges.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_90/GS_90-108.html
https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/byarticle/chapter_90/article_5.html
Image Credit:
https://www.freeimages.com/photo/pills-in-pill-bottles-1976626
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos
See Our Related Blog Posts: