Utah Prescription Fraud Lawyer - Salt Lake Criminal Defense

A criminal charge for prescription fraud, prescription forgery, or obtaining a prescription under false pretenses in Utah can lead to a felony conviction, with potential sentences including prison or jail time and a variety of probation conditions. Stephen Howard is a Utah defense attorney based in Salt Lake City with extensive experience defending prescription fraud and other drug charges. Prescription fraud and prescription forgery cases often involve constitutional and other legal issues. But may prescription drug cases also involve issues relating to addiction and substance abuse. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation.

Utah Prescription Fraud - Elements and Defenses

Typical scenarios leading to prescription fraud or prescription forgery charges in Utah include: changing the number of pills on an otherwise valid prescription; photocopied prescriptions that have been altered and filled multiple times; phone calls to a pharmacy from a person pretending to work in a doctor's office; forged signatures on pads of  stolen prescription forms; and outright forgeries with fictitious doctors. Charges of obtaining a prescription under false pretenses can involve patients who obtain an otherwise legitimate prescription from a doctor by giving false information to the doctor (such as falsely claiming to be experiencing pain).

Often, a person charged with prescription fraud may have been attempting to fill a prescription for another person. In some cases, the person honestly believed that the prescription was valid and was only trying to do someone a favor. In other cases, the person knows the prescription is forged. In either case, the prosecution bears the burden of proof and must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. In such instances, a key element of the charge is the intent of the defendant. If a prosecutor cannot prove that the defendant knew the prescription was forged or fraudulent, then a jury must find the defendant not guilty.

The Utah legislature has amended drug possession statutes reducing simple possession of a controlled substance a misdemeanor charge under many circumstances. But prescription fraud charges remain at the felony level, carrying serious potential consequences.

If you are facing criminal prosecution on charges of prescription fraud, you need an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney with a record of achieving real results for his clients. Stephen Howard has handled literally thousands of serious felony criminal cases during his career - more than most attorneys will ever see. Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation.

Utah Prescription Fraud - Addiction

If you suffer a serious injury, there is a good chance that your doctor will prescribe pain medication for you. If you have surgery, you will often be prescribed pain medication. Unfortunately, for many good people, a legitimate pain medication prescription can start them down the long hard road of addiction and criminal trouble.

Many good, upstanding members of our community have struggled with an addiction that began with a legitimate pain medication prescription. Oxycontin, Lortab, Percocet, Vicodin, and many more legitimate medications can become the objects of substance abuse and addiction.

Once a person becomes addicted, their behavior can change dramatically. Their thought processes change as they begin to focus on just getting their pills. If their doctor cuts them off, they may seek out other sources. They may find a "dealer" to buy from. Or they may begin forging prescriptions, altering legitimate prescriptions, or calling in prescriptions by pretending to be a doctor.

In Utah, all of this behavior can result in felony charges for prescription fraud, possession of a controlled substance, and other criminal charges. If you have been charged with prescription fraud or other drug charges, you need an experienced Utah prescription fraud attorney.

Finding a Utah Criminal Defense Attorney in Salt Lake

Stephen Howard worked for several years in one of Utah's felony drug court programs, where he received extensive training and experience in dealing with the legal problems and understanding the treatment issues that go along with a Utah prescription fraud charge.

As an experienced Utah criminal defense attorney, Stephen Howard has successfully handled many prescription fraud charges, drug possession charges, and many more serious cases. His experiences both in the drug courts and in Utah's trial courts have helped him develop a defense strategy for prescription fraud cases that addresses both the legal and treatment needs of his clients.

Whether you are found not guilty at trial, or your case is dismissed as a result of a motion to suppress, or you negotiate a resolution to a reduced charge with probation, your legal case is only half the battle. If you are fighting addiction, you will need to address the substance abuse issues in your life, or you will likely end up right back in the criminal justice system.

If you are facing a Utah prescription fraud charge, you need an experienced prescription fraud attorney. Contact us now to schedule an initial consultation and case analysis with an experienced Salt Lake criminal defense lawyer.