Charged With Prescription Drug Possession, Distribution, Theft or Fraud?
An extreme powerful class of controlled dangerous substances are those referred to as prescription drugs. While pharmaceuticals of this nature typically come into circulation through a legitimate prescription issued by a licensed physician, there are also those instances where they are obtained through fraud, illegal distribution and even medication theft. The problem with these activities are that they are not only crimes but also often lead to terrible addiction issues, especially when medications like Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Percocet, or Xanax are involved. If you have been charged with possession, selling or obtaining prescription drugs through fraud, call the criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. Our team of qualified lawyers include several former prosecutors that have over a century of combined experience representing clients charged with prescription offenses in Elizabeth, Cranford, Linden, Plainfield, Westfield and elsewhere in Union County. attorneys routinely defend cases at the Union County Superior Court and are former NJ prosecutors. We can be reached for immediate assistance at 908-272-1700.
What Are Prescription Drugs?
The term “prescription drug” is used to describe those forms of controlled dangerous substance that require a medical prescription in order to be acquired legally. A prescription drug is also referred to as “prescription medication”, “pharmaceutical drug” or the like. There are basically three (3) categories of these drugs that arise most often in criminal cases and they are:
- Opiates (a.k.a. Opioids): these drugs bind to nerve receptors in the body to reduce pain sensitivity. Some of the more common forms of opiate pain medication are Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Methadone, Morphine, Oxycodone, Oxycontin, Percocet and Roxicondone.
- Central Nervous System Depressants (a.k.a. CNS Depressants): drugs falling within this category sedate or slow brain activity. CNS pharmaceuticals include Valium, Xanax, and Nembutal.
- Stimulants: the most frequently abused stimulants are those traditionally used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (“AD/HD”). Adderall and Ritalin are the most common forms of these medications that we see in conjunction with prescription drug offenses.
Individuals typically engage in illegal prescription drug activities in order to obtain medication when doctors refuse to issue refills, in order to obtain higher dosage or quantities, or to sell them. The common thread is frequently addiction.
Common Prescription Drug Violations
The most common scenario for prescription drug offenses is calling in a bogus prescription order to a pharmacy like Walgreens, CVS, or Rite Aid. The offender usually attempts to pose as a doctor, nurse or another individual authorized to issue medication or a refill. Another common fact pattern is the person who counterfeits or steals a blank prescription and fills it in. These tactics can result in a forgery and possession of CDS charges. When the activities mushroom into distribution of drugs, the risk exposure to the offender becomes even greater. Indeed, while almost all prescription drug offenses are felonies that involve the potential for state prison, a conviction for selling (a.k.a. intent to distribute) prescription drugs can frequently trigger mandatory periods of parole ineligibility too.
Union County Prescription Drug Defense Lawyers
Prescription drugs have become a huge part of the criminal practice of the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. This is especially true with medications that are opiate based. If you were charged with possession of prescription drugs, distribution, obtaining CDS by fraud or any other pedigree of violation, the defense lawyers on our staff can help you. An attorney with extensive experience in this area is available to discuss the charge that was filed in Hillside, Springfield, Kenilworth, Mountainside, Rahway or another town. Call us at 908-272-1700 to speak to a lawyer immediately.
