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Prescription Forgery
You probably already know that there is a major crisis going on in California and throughout the United States when it comes to the misuse of prescription medication. Of course, many prescription medications help save lives and allow people to get relief from pain or other symptoms. However, when it’s misused by those who are looking to get high, then it can be incredibly dangerous.
Because of the way that prescription medication is often being misused on the streets nowadays, law enforcement has had to put a focus on its use. Therefore, law enforcement officers are often looking for situations such as prescription forgery as a part of their crackdown on the misuse and illegal sale of prescription narcotics.
If you have found yourself in a situation in which you are facing charges for prescription forgery, it’s important to seek legal counsel immediately. These charges should not be taken lightly, and an attorney can provide you with the best possible defense.
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What is Prescription Forgery?
Prescription forgery refers to the use of a falsified prescription in the attempt to purchase narcotics illegally. For example, if you sign someone else’s name on a prescription, use a fake name on a prescription, change the prescription or otherwise create a falsified prescription, you could face felony prescription forgery charges. Attempting to pass a falsified prescription, even if you were not the one who actually wrote it, is also a crime.
What are Some Examples of Prescription Forgery?
There are nearly unlimited scenarios in which a person could be charged and convicted of prescription forgery.
For example, if your doctor has written you a prescription for pain medication but if you don’t feel as if the prescription is ample for your needs, you could have altered the dosage or number or refills on your prescription. For this, you could be charged with prescription forgery.
Additionally, stealing or purchasing prescription notepads and then writing your own prescriptions, whether you sign your doctor’s name or any other name, is also a crime.
What is the Penalty for Prescription Forgery?
This is one of the charges that could be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. If you have a previous criminal record, it could be more likely that you will be charged with a felony. The severity of the actual offense and how many times you committed the offense can also have an impact on whether you will face misdemeanor or felony charges.
If you are convicted of misdemeanor prescription forgery, you should know that you could face up to one year in jail. However, this often isn’t all that those who are convicted of misdemeanor prescription forgery have to worry about. You might also be required to go to rehab or complete an outpatient drug treatment program. Additionally, you could be required to submit to random drug testing for a set period of time after you are convicted.
If you are convicted of a felony for prescription forgery, the consequences are even more serious. In fact, you could even be facing three years in prison.
What to Do if You are Facing Prescription Forgery Charges?
If you are facing charges for prescription forgery, seeking help from an experienced lawyer right away is essential. After all, even if you are facing misdemeanor charges, the consequences can be significant. If you are facing felony charges, you could even find yourself having to serve three years in prison, which can obviously negatively affect your life in many ways.
Attorneys who are accustomed to helping their clients with cases like these generally know the best way to defend their clients. If you schedule a free consultation with an attorney, you can find out more about what you are facing and can get one-on-one advice that s suitable for your case.