Tampa Prescription Fraud Lawyer

Prescription Fraud Attorney in Tampa, FL

Florida has made a concerted effort to eliminate prescription drug fraud and misuse, which has been a bigger problem in the state than illegal drugs. Therefore, if you are charged with prescription fraud, you could face a lifetime of effects. Don’t hesitate to contact a Tampa prescription fraud lawyer to discuss your case.

In 2012, 2,116 people died from overdoses of prescription medications, as compared with only 108 deaths from heroin overdose. There are two sides of Florida’s prescription drug fraud problem:

• People who misrepresent their physical condition to doctors, often multiple doctors, to obtain prescriptions for drugs they don’t need or more than they need.
• Pharmacists, doctors, and pain clinics employees who divert drugs for their own use or use fraudulent methods to dispense drugs for financial gain.

Painkillers and anti-anxiety medications are among the most commonly abused, misused, and fraudulently obtained drugs in Florida, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, methadone, morphine, Percocet, Darvocet, Xanax, and Valium. Stimulants, especially Adderall, which is prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is also in big demand on college campuses, where it is often obtained by illegal means for use as a study aid.

Many people start using these drugs when they are prescribed legitimately and increase the dosage to dangerous levels. They become dependent or addicted, and then find themselves needing to have multiple prescriptions to maintain their habit, and so resort to doctor shopping. Many people who have no criminal record and are in every other regard law abiding citizens have become addicted in this way.

Florida law enforcement has cracked down on illegal use of prescription drugs and has closed down many of the “pain clinics” that have contributed to this problem, and many people who have inadvertently become dependent or addicted to these powerful and dangerous substances have found themselves in trouble with the law, including a large number of middle class and professional people.

If you have been accused of using or possessing a prescription medication that was not prescribed for you or that you obtained fraudulently or through doctor shopping to obtain multiple prescriptions, you may be facing felony charges. A felony conviction may result in prison time and fines, and it will strip you of your civil rights. You will no longer be allowed to vote, own a firearm, sit on a jury, or hold public office. If you’ve been convicted of a drug crime, you face a mandatory two years suspension of your driver’s license.

And those are only some of the legal consequences of a felony conviction. Other potential consequences include loss of your good reputation, difficulty obtaining employment or housing, and being disqualified from receiving financial aid to pursue higher education.

Because of the severe negative effects that a prescription drug conviction can have on your life, you should obtain the services of an experienced Tampa criminal defense lawyer. In the Tampa Bay area, attorney Will Hanlon is a top choice, with a 20-plus year track record of helping the accused in many cases to achieve an outcome that allows them to continue their lives without jail time or the stigma of a felony conviction.

First, we will investigate how police conducted the investigation and arrest to determine is your constitutional rights were violated. If they were, it could be possible to suppress evidence and have the charges dismissed. If police procedure was by the book, he will determine if you are qualified to have your case transferred to an adult drug court and advocate for a diversion program that emphasizes treatment, rather than punishment. Once you have successfully completed the program, it may be possible to have the charges dismissed. It is often beneficial to your case to get into treatment immediately, and we can help you locate the best program for your needs. Being pro-active in seeking help for your addiction problem often makes a favorable impression on the courts.

If you have a prescription drug charge on your record, contact Hanlon Law to learn whether you may be eligible to have your record sealed or expunged.

Will Hanlon and his staff understand how people without real criminal intent can find themselves facing felony drug charges. For the help you need to obtain the best possible results with the least disruption of your life, call Hanlon law immediately if you’ve been questioned or arrested. Exercise your right to remain silent until Will arrives to ensure that you are protected from constitutional violations.