Have You Been Arrested for Prescription Drug Fraud in Mesa, Arizona?

Everything You Need to Know About Prescription Drug Fraud in Mesa, Arizona

If you’ve been charged with prescription drug fraud in Arizona, it’s normal to feel worried about what is going to happen next. If you’re convicted of the crime, you will likely face hefty fines and possible jail time, which can lead to complications in your life going forward. Having this charge on your record may give you trouble for years to come, so it’s best to have a team of lawyers willing to fight for you.

The state of Arizona is one of the most drug-riddled states in the country, and Mesa is no exception. Due to the extreme amount of drug crimes on the streets, local officials are doing everything they can to combat the growing problems. This can make it harder for you to fight your charges because the government wants to end prescription drug fraud and other drug issues.

So, what can you expect now that you’ve been charged with prescription drug fraud in Mesa? We’ll break it down for you now.

Being Charged Can Be Scary

Getting arrested can be scary, especially if it’s your first offense. There are a lot of unknowns at the time that you’re taken in. You may find yourself in an unpleasant environment and very uncomfortable. These feelings are normal.

However, while it’s okay to be scared, being charged with prescription drug fraud isn’t the end of the world for you. With the right team of lawyers, you can still go on to have a wonderful and bright future, unaffected by your prior mistakes. We understand that no one is perfect, and people make mistakes. When you don’t want this single lapse in judgment to ruin your goals, you need a lawyer on your side that will fight for you.

Having a great team is important, but it’s not the only important thing. You also need to know what the laws are surrounding prescription drug fraud in Arizona so that you can know what you’re up against. Getting started with background knowledge will keep you from being surprised as you go on this journey.

What Exactly is Prescription Drug Fraud?

Crimes involving prescription drug fraud include a wide range of people and situations. Essentially, prescription drug fraud includes any type of unlawful use of prescription-only medication. Specifically, there are different charges under this umbrella:

• Possessing a prescription drug that you don’t have a legitimate prescription for
• Possessing a prescription drug with the intent to sell while not licensed to do so
• Possessing the materials needed to make a prescription drug with the intent to manufacture
• Manufacturing a prescription drug
• Giving a prescription to someone who does not have a prescription for it
• Lying or misleading a medical professional to receive a prescription for a medication
• Transporting or selling prescription drugs without the license to do so
• Possession or use of a misbranded drug
• Manufacturing, selling, or distributing a misbranded drug

Misbranded drugs are any prescription drugs that have either incorrect or missing information on their labels, according to Arizona state law §32-1967. As you can see, there are charges that fall under prescription drug fraud that include both people who have the drugs and people who give them out, including doctors or pharmacists.

The key to remember is that the law states the person guilty of the crime must know that what they are taking part in is fraudulent and illegal. To be convicted, there will have to be proof that there was the intent of fraudulent activity.

What Are the Penalties?

When it comes to prescription drug fraud, the penalties will differ slightly depending on which crime your charge falls under. Depending on the charges and any prior offenses, you can expect fines as well as some jail time. The good news is that most of these charges are considered misdemeanors, while only a few are a felony.

Manufacturing, selling, or distributing a misbranded drug is considered a Class 4 Felony. If this is your first offense, you can be looking at a $1,000 fine as well as anywhere from one to 3.75 years in jail. Of course, if this is your second offense, you can be looking at more time behind bars.

Both possession with the intent to sell and the act of transporting or selling prescription drugs without a proper license are considered Class 6 Felonies. On your first offense, these charges come with a $1,000 fine and anywhere from four months to two years in jail. Again, these penalties can be increased if you are a repeat offender.

Possession or use of a misbranded drug is considered a Class 2 Misdemeanor in Arizona. As a first-time offender, you will have to pay a $1,000 fine and serve a jail sentence of up to four months. If this is your second offense in the last two years, that sentence can go up to six months.

All the other charges under the prescription fraud law are considered Class 1 Misdemeanors. This includes possession and manufacturing of prescription drugs illegally, giving prescription drugs to someone not authorized to have them, receiving a prescription drug under false pretenses, and means to manufacture with intent. On your first offense, you will have to pay a $1,000 fine and can expect to serve up to six months in jail. If you’re a repeat offender, your sentence can be raised to be as long as two years.

Notice that, no matter what the charge is, all of them come with a $1,000 fine. That’s because under law §13-3406, Subsection C, all prescription drug fraud charges must come with that fine. No judge is allowed to waive or lower the fine amount, so you can guarantee you will be responsible for that fine.

How to Prepare for Court

One of the best things you can do for yourself as you navigate this journey is to prepare yourself as much as possible for your impending court date. While having a great lawyer will give you plenty of resources, there are certain things that only you can do to help your case run smoothly.

Make sure you are organized and bring any documents you may need when you meet with your lawyer, as well as to your actual court date. Being prepared with the necessary resources is important to help things go well.

It’s also important that you arrive on time (or early!) when it’s time for your court appointment. Punctuality goes a long way when it comes to first impressions, and you don’t want to blow that with your judge. It’s best to plan to be at the courthouse 30 minutes early for any possible security screenings.

Finally, be respectful. The judge is watching you closely, fair or not, so you need to be on your best behavior. Make sure your phone is off and that you are dressed well, leaving hats at home. Tell the truth, don’t interrupt when others are speaking, and make eye contact.

Takeaway

Dealing with a prescription drug fraud charge can be a scary situation to navigate alone. That’s why it’s vital to choose a great team of lawyers to help you through every step of the way. Knowing what you’re up against and having people on your side will help you move past this unpleasant time in your life as quickly and painlessly as possible.