Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud

Within the last few years, the frequency of prescription drug abuse has reached an all-time high throughout the U.S. The fact that prescription medications contain highly addictive properties and are easily available to everyone from teenagers to senior citizens contributes to their popularity. While prescription drugs are legal when used as prescribed, if they are obtained by someone through fraud or misrepresentation or by someone who does not have a legitimate prescription then they can be classified as illegal controlled substances.

Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud is a third-degree felony in the state of Florida. The use of fraud to obtain medical prescriptions can carry harsh penalties, including up to five years in prison. In the state of Florida, prosecutors must prove that drugs were obtained through misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception or subterfuge. There are many ways to fraudulently obtain medical prescriptions, including:

• Falsifying prescriptions
• Altering Prescriptions
• Counterfeiting Prescriptions
• Impersonating a Doctor and Calling in Prescriptions to a Pharmacy
• Stealing Blank Prescription Pads
• Using One Prescription for Numerous Fillings
• Traveling from one doctor to the next after exhausting medical prescriptions for treatment (Doctor Shopping)

Many Florida residents get caught fraudulently trying to obtain prescription drugs due to heightened security by doctors and medical professionals who are aware of various drug forgery problems. It is important to know that even if you never used or actually obtained prescription drugs you can still be charged with prescription fraud for making the attempt to fraudulently obtain them. If you consciously presented a forged, counterfeit or altered prescription to a pharmacist you can still be convicted of Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud.

It is extremely important for anyone charged with prescription fraud to contact a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney immediately. Typically prescription drug crime offenders are dealing with a serious addiction problem and need help. They are often suffering from serious pain and are prescribed strong medications that often become addictive, which is why they search for other ways to obtain more drugs. These types of cases require the assistance of a compassionate Florida Criminal Defense Attorney that can work towards getting unnecessary charges dropped so the accused can get the help he or she needs.

Due to the fact that the federal government usually has very thorough records of prescriptions obtained, these charges can be difficult to defend. In some situations, the person accused of obtaining drugs illegally is the victim of identity theft. Our Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can bring proper evidence to show that you have been falsely implicated and that the charges against you should be dismissed.

We also know that there are numerous individuals in The Villages and throughout the state of Florida who suffer from chronic pain and need regular therapy to keep the pain at bay. Not all of these people can have surgeries to fix their issues, so they seek alternative methods for their pain management. Sometimes doctors will illegally prescribe drugs like OxyContin, Percodan, Perocet, Hydrocodone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Fentanyl, and others, and once people are hooked on these highly addictive drugs, they will resort to any means necessary to keep their pain under control.

Whatever the drug charges you are facing, our Villages Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will review all the details of your case and weigh out all of your legal options so you fully understand what is at stake. We routinely represent doctors and other healthcare professionals in The Villages and surrounding areas and have the experience needed to develop the most effective defense strategy in order to obtain the best possible outcome. We also utilize medical experts in numerous cases to prove that prescribing the pain medication was for lawful and legitimate purposes.

Regardless of the charges against you, we strongly recommend that you do not just give up and plead guilty. There might be ways that we can make reasonable arguments that you lacked criminal intent, or we may be able to show that there is insufficient evidence to obtain a conviction. We are skilled negotiators, as well as former prosecutors, so we know the tricks utilized and we may be able to use those to your advantage and have the charges against you reduced or dismissed.

The Villages Prescription Drug Fraud Defense Attorneys can carefully examine you or a loved one’s case to determine appropriate legal options. If you have been charged with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud call Whittel & Melton immediately for a free case evaluation at 352-369-5334 or contact us online. Whatever possible defenses are available to you, we will work tirelessly to apply them to your case in order to avoid a conviction.