McKinney Prescription Drug Crime Defense Attorneys

Attorneys for Drug Crimes Involving Prescription Medications in McKinney, TX

People may be charged with drug crimes in many situations. Drug charges only apply to illegal street drugs, but certain types of prescription medications could also lead to arrests and convictions. A person can face criminal charges if they are accused of possessing a prescription medication without proper documentation, sharing pills with a friend or family member, or obtaining a prescription drug through fraud.

At Texas Defense Firm, our lawyers can help clients in McKinney and the surrounding areas defend against prescription drug charges. We understand the defense strategies that may be used in these cases, including demonstrating that drugs were obtained through legal prescription or challenging the methods used to identify certain substances. We can also help clients receive treatment for drug addiction and determine what diversion programs may be available to help avoid criminal convictions.

Types of Prescription Medications That May Lead to Drug Charges

Many common prescription medications are classified as controlled substances in Texas. The possession or distribution of these substances without proper authorization can result in criminal charges. Some of the prescription medications that may be addressed in drug crime cases include:

• Opioid Pain Relievers: Drugs like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and codeine are classified as opioids, and they contain substances similar to heroin or fentanyl. These drugs can be highly addictive, and their use and abuse may lead people to try to obtain other types of drugs to avoid the harmful effects of withdrawals.
• Benzodiazepines: These drugs may be prescribed for people who experience issues such as anxiety or sleep disorders. They can have harmful effects if they are not used correctly.
• Stimulants: Certain drugs may be prescribed for attention deficit disorders or other conditions, including amphetamine-based medications like Adderall. These drugs may be used for non-medical purposes, and frequent use can lead to addiction and drug abuse.

The specific penalty group of a drug and the weight thresholds that may determine whether misdemeanor or felony charges will apply will depend on the specific medication and its formulation. The proper identification of a drug is one of the most crucial factors that can affect prescription drug cases. Our attorneys may be able to challenge the methods used to identify drugs and argue for reduced charges or dismissals when appropriate.

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Prescription Drug Possession or Distribution Charges

A person may face charges related to the possession of prescription drugs even if they have a genuine, legitimate need for a medication. If a controlled substance was not kept in its original container and is not properly labeled as a prescription medication, a person could be charged with drug possession, even if they had a prescription. A person who is accused of sharing a medication with another person, such as a friend or family member who is experiencing similar symptoms, may face charges of prescription drug distribution.

Charges related to the distribution of prescription drugs can become more serious if a person is accused of large-scale distribution. A person who allegedly possessed a large quantity of pills, kept drugs in multiple types of prescription bottles or other containers, or communicated with others about delivering or receiving payment for drugs may face charges of drug distribution. These activities may be considered drug trafficking, and a person could face serious felony charges in these cases.

Prescription Fraud and Doctor Shopping Charges

In some cases, drug charges may also address the prescriptions used to obtain medications that were allegedly used for unlawful purposes or distributed to others. Prescription fraud charges may apply if a person is accused of forging or falsifying a prescription in order to obtain a medication. A wide range of conduct may lead to criminal charges, including creating a fake prescription, forging a doctor's signature on a prescription, or altering a prescription to change the dose.

Other actions taken to obtain medications may lead to charges of prescription fraud. A person may be accused of providing false information to a doctor in order to obtain a prescription or visiting multiple doctors in order to obtain multiple prescriptions for the same drug. These activities may lead to accusations that a person intended to sell or distribute the drugs they obtained to others.

In some cases, investigations of prescription drug crimes could lead to criminal charges for medical professionals. Doctors or other prescribers may be charged with prescribing drugs that were not necessary to address the medical needs of patients. Nurses or other professionals may face accusations that they have stolen drugs from a medical office for their own personal use or for distribution purposes.

Prescription fraud is generally treated as a felony offense. In cases involving Schedule I or Schedule II substances, second-degree felony charges may apply. Offenses involving Schedule III or Schedule IV substances may be charged as third-degree felonies. Medical professionals who are charged with prescription fraud may face penalties that could affect their medical licenses and careers in addition to criminal charges. Our lawyers can provide guidance on the best ways to address prescription fraud charges and defend against convictions and collateral consequences.

Contact Our McKinney, Texas Prescription Drug Crimes Attorneys

People who are accused of crimes related to the possession or distribution of prescription drugs may face penalties that could affect them for the rest of their lives. A felony prescription drug charge could lead to years or decades in prison, several thousand dollars in fines, and a permanent criminal record that may limit the type of jobs a person can hold in the future and affect them in other ways. At Texas Defense Firm, we can help clients address these charges and defend against convictions while working to avoid penalties that may affect their futures. Contact our McKinney prescription drug charges defense lawyers at 972-369-0577 to schedule a free consultation.