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Los Angeles Prescription Drug Fraud Lawyers 
Prescription Drug Fraud
Illegal prescription drug use is becoming a serious problem in the United States. The State of California is attempting to crack down on prescription drug fraud, forgery and doctor shopping. As drugs continue to evolve, they often become more powerful and more addictive. Someone who is legally prescribed a drug such as Vicodin can become addicted and begin searching for ways to obtain more. Additionally, there are many cases of doctors and patients being wrongfully charged with prescription drug crimes when they are simply providing and obtaining drugs for legitimate use. If you have been charged with prescription drug fraud, you need the assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable Los Angeles drug paraphernalia defense attorney.
California Prescription Drug Laws
It is illegal for addicts to go doctor shopping, for doctors to illegally prescribe pills and for prescription drugs to be obtained by fraud. A few examples of California law pertaining to prescription drug crimes include:
- Prescription Fraud (Heath & Safety Code Section 11173): "No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain controlled substances, or procure or attempt to procure the administration of or prescription for controlled substances, (1) by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or subterfuge; or (2) by the concealment of a material fact." This law also prohibits Californians from pretending to be a wholesaler or pharmacist in order to obtain controlled substances. It is also illegal to forge prescription labels.
- Doctors Illegally Prescribing Pills (Health & Safety Code Section 11153): "A prescription for a controlled substance shall only be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the usual course of his or her professional practice." Doctors may not issue a prescription for illegitimate reasons or for unusual circumstances outside the realm of a doctor's practice.
Penalties for Prescription Drug Crimes
The penalties for prescription drug fraud and doctor shopping can vary depending upon the circumstances of the case. A prescription drug fraud case can be filed by the district attorney as a misdemeanor or a felony. Violating section 11173 could result in three years in a state prison or one year in a county jail. Doctors who violate section 11153 could face a year or incarceration and a fine of up to $20,000. Prescription drug offenders facing misdemeanor charges may be able to avoid jail time by participating in a drug diversion program. Defendants facing felony charges have fewer legal options. In either case, it is in the best interest of someone facing prescription drug charges to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Defending Prescription Drug Fraud Charges
Typical offenders of prescription drug crimes are upstanding citizens who are dealing with a serious addiction problem. People who suffer real pain and are legally prescribed strong medicine may become addicted and begin searching for ways to obtain more drugs. This addiction may escalate and lead to criminal activity such as forgery or buying illegal drugs from unlicensed dealers. These types of cases deserve a compassionate criminal defense attorney who will work hard to get unnecessary charges dropped and will assist the defendant to get the help he or she needs.
The criminal defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP have successfully defended numerous prescription drug fraud cases. We carefully examine each case to determine all of our clients' legal options. If you or a loved one has been charged with prescription drug fraud or drug possession in Los Angeles, please call our offices to discuss your case today.
If you have been arrested for prescription drug fraud then please call us immediately for a FREE CONSULTATION at (888) 579-4844.
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Drug Crimes Resource Center
- Los Angeles Drug Offenses Overview
- Los Angeles Drug Offenses FAQs
- Los Angeles Cocaine Charges
- Driving under the Influence of Drugs in Los Angeles
- Drug Diversion Program in Los Angeles
- Drug Paraphernalia Charge in Los Angeles
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- Marijuana Charges in Los Angeles
- Meth Charges in Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Prescription Drug Fraud
- Los Angeles Drug Offenses Resources
