The illegal use of prescription drugs has reached crisis levels in Northwest Indiana and around the nation. Unfortunately, access to Oxycodone, Vicodin, and other powerful painkillers is far too easy to come by today. Doctors often over-prescribe these medications, which can lead vulnerable individuals into a life of drug abuse and addiction. Whether the narcotics were legitimately prescribed following surgery or given to a patient suffering from long-term back pain, prescription opioids come with a serious risk of addiction and abuse.
Unfortunately, when an individual becomes hooked on opioids (or stimulants or depressants), they will often resort to drastic measures to obtain the drugs they are addicted to, including stealing a prescription pad from a physician’s office, visiting multiple doctors to obtain prescriptions for the same medication or trying to call in a false prescription to a pharmacy. These are all illegal activities that can result in serious criminal charges that will change your life forever.
If you have been arrested for prescription fraud or forgery, you need to choose a powerful team of criminal defense attorneys to defend your legal rights. The Stracci Law Group provides experienced, strategic representation to individuals facing prescription fraud and forgery charges. We will do everything within our power to develop a strong and persuasive defense to help you avoid the harsh penalties and fines under Indiana’s drug laws.
Prescription Fraud
In the state of Indiana, prescription drug fraud is classified as a Level 6 felony. Individuals who attempt to obtain a prescription drug through fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation can face a maximum fine of $10,000 along with 6 months to 2 1/2 years in prison. Prescription fraud covers a wide range of activities, from communicating false information to a doctor to using a false name or address to representing oneself as a physician or dentist in an effort to obtain a prescribed drug.
Prescription Forgery
Similar to prescription fraud, prescription forgery is a serious crime. Whether you have completely forged a doctor’s prescription for a drug or altered a prescription to obtain a larger number of pills, the fines and penalties for forgery (making or possessing a falsified written document with the intent to defraud) can be very harsh under Indiana law. Forgery is classified as a Class 6 felony in Indiana punishable by 6 months to 2 ½ years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Discuss Your Prescription Fraud or Forgery Charges with the Stracci Law Group
If you are facing charges for prescription fraud or forgery in Northwest Indiana, it is in your best interest to seek experienced legal counsel. Stracci Law Group offers a free, confidential consultation so you can learn about your options in a risk-free environment. The attorneys at our firm have extensive experience handling these types of sensitive criminal matters and will fight to protect your legal rights at every stage of the process. We have also developed strong relationships with treatment programs in Indiana, Chicago, and across the country, and we will help you get the support and care you need to deal with your addiction and focus on moving forward with your life as we focus on building a powerful and persuasive defense. Contact a Lake County criminal defense lawyer at our firm today by calling (219) 525-1000. We practice law in Lake County and other parts of Northwest Indiana.