Prescription Fraud Lawyer - Ogden
In Utah, criminal charges for
prescription
fraud, prescription forgery,
or
obtaining a prescription under false pretenses can end in a
felony
conviction with potential prison or jail
time, thousands of dollars in fines, and a range of probation
conditions. Stephen Howard is a criminal defense
attorney with broad experience in
defending prescription fraud and other
drug
charges. If you are facing
prescription drug charges in Ogden or anywhere in Utah,
contact
us
today to see how our criminal defense team can help you.
Prescription Fraud Elements
Common scenarios that lead to a charge of prescription fraud or
prescription forgery in Ogden include: changing the number of pills or
the dosage on
an otherwise
valid prescription; using photocopies of prescriptions that have
been changed
and filled numerous times; placing phone calls to a pharmacy
from a person
pretending to work in a doctor's office; and forging signatures on
pads
of stolen prescription forms. A related charge of obtaining a
prescription under false
pretenses can be filed in circumstances where a persona has obtained an
otherwise legitimate
prescription from a doctor by giving false information to the doctor
(such as falsely claiming to be experiencing pain) or failing to
disclose relevant information (such as the fact that the patient has
already obtained a similar prescription from another doctor).
Consequences of a Prescription Fraud Conviction
The level of a prescription fraud charge can depend on the prior
criminal history of the defendant. Generally, a first offense will be
charged at the class A
misdemeanor
level. But a third or subsequent
charge can be filed at the felony level.
Penalties for a class A
misdemeanor
prescription fraud conviction can
include up to a year in jail and/or $4,750 in fines (plus surcharge).
At the third-degree felony level, charge for prescription fraud is
punishable by up to five years in prison and/or $9,500 in fines (plus
surcharge). Probation conditions can include jail time, substance abuse
counseling, drug testing, community service, or other requirements
determined by the court to be appropriate.
Prescription Fraud and Addiction in Ogden
Many people who are caught committing prescription fraud are also
struggling with a substance abuse issue. If that is the case, then
dealing with the legal case is only part of the solution. Treatment or
counseling to help overcome addiction or abuse issues can be a benefit
both personally for the long term and in resolving the legal case.
If a defendant chooses to take a case to
trial,
participation in
treatment or counseling cannot normally be used against the defendant
at trial. But proof of participation in treatment can provide an
advantage during the plea negotiation process or with the court at a
sentencing hearing.
While prosecutors and judges in Ogden must consider a variety of
factors in determining how aggressively to pursue a case or in imposing
an appropriate sentence, treatment and rehabilitation are important
issues that can positively influence the ultimate outcome of the case.
Finding a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Ogden
Utah criminal
defense attorney Stephen Howard has defended a wide variety of
drug-related cases including prescription fraud. He is one of a
relatively few
criminal
lawyers with experience working inside Utah's
felony drug court system. He has handled thousands of serious felony
and misdemeanor cases during his career, with a record of achieving
real results for his clients. If you are facing drug or prescription
charges in Ogden or anywhere in Utah,
contact
us now to see how we can
help you.