Prescription Fraud Charges
Prescription fraud and prescription forgery are serious charges in the state of California. Criminal charges related to drugs were typically related to street drugs in the past. In today’s, society however, the use of prescription drugs recreationally and for other reasons has risen dramatically. The number of prescription fraud offenses has increased. Drug trafficking charges no longer merely involve a stereotypical “dealer.”
Many persons charged with prescription fraud are upstanding individuals that had a lapse in judgment, became addicted after medical treatment or are being falsely accused. Even health professionals such as pharmacists and doctors can find themselves charged with prescription fraud. If you or a loved one has been charged with this serious crime, it is of utmost importance that you contact a Los Angeles drug crime lawyer immediately.
California Prescription Fraud Laws
Doctors and unlicensed individuals alike can be arrested for prescription fraud. It is illegal for a doctor or pharmacist to write a false prescription just as it is illegal for anyone else to forge a prescription. Prescription fraud laws in California can be found in the Health and Safety Code 11153 and 11173.
According to California prescription fraud laws,
11173. (a) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain controlled substances (1) by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation , or subterfuge; or (2) by the concealment of a material fact. (b) No person shall make a false statement in any prescription, order, report, or record, required by this division. (c) No person shall, for the purpose of obtaining controlled substances, falsely assume the title of, or represent himself to be, a manufacturer, wholesaler, pharmacist, physician, dentist, veterinarian, registered nurse, physician’s assistant, or other authorized person. (d) No person shall affix any false or forged label to a package or receptacle containing controlled substances.
If you have been allegedly involved in any of the following activities, a charge of prescription fraud may be brought against you:
- Tampering with a prescription given to you by a doctor
- Changing the prescription pad information such as a telephone number
- Theft of medical drugs
- Theft of prescription pads
- Writing prescriptions for non-existent patients
- Obtaining prescriptions from more than one doctor
- Overly prescribing drugs to a patient
- Giving out medical drugs with no prescription
Contact a Los Angeles Prescription Fraud Attorney
In such a case, it is imperative that you speak with a Los Angeles prescription fraud lawyer immediately so that you can find out your best course of action regarding these charges. In California, prescription fraud is taken very seriously. Our firm does everything possible to obtain the desired outcome for our clients. Our high-profile co-counsel assists us in many cases. In addition, we have a well-earned reputation as an effective defense firm. When experience counts, our clients call on us. Our capable and intelligent defense team may be able to start assisting you immediate.
Contact a Los Angeles prescription fraud attorney from the firm if you have any questions.
