Colorado Criminal Law – The Defense of Colorado Criminal Prescription Fraud Cases
In Colorado – State Prosecutors take prescription drug crimes very seriously. Despite what you may believe, it is not simply a matter of “talking the way out of charges” if caught filling prescriptions for a friend or illegally dispensing medication. A conviction for a prescription drug crime can result in years in prison, large fines and a permanently tarnished reputation.
Prescription drugs are often the manufactured counterparts of fully recognizable street drugs.
If you are under investigation or have been arrested for a prescription drug crime in Colorado contact the law offices of H. Michael Steinberg. Put more than 40 years of Colorado Criminal Law Expertise to work for you.
Defending Individuals and Businesses Accused of Prescription Drug Crimes is a Colorado prescription drug crimes defense attorney who represents clients in cases encompassing a variety of criminal actions, including:
Filling prescriptions without proper authorization
Selling and distributing prescription drugs
Filling prescriptions for a friend
Possessing prescription drugs for non-medicinal purposes
Copying or forging prescriptions (prescription or “script” fraud)
Recently, much attention has been given to weight-loss clinics that administer prescriptions without doctor authorization and/or little oversight. The nurses, staff and doctors who allow this illegal activity not only face criminal charges, but also the loss of their professional licenses and the closing of their medical facility.
Criminal defense attorney H. Michael Steinberg regularly represents clients in these types of drug cases. Early legal representation is a must.
Exposing the Facts in Colorado Prescription Fraud Cases
An important aspect of the defense of prescription drug crimes is learning why the person committed the crime.
Was drug addiction involved?
Did a doctor suddenly stop writing prescriptions?
Did a pharmacy refuse to fill the medication?
Did the accused lose his or her medical insurance?
There are always mitigating factors to be considered in these cases. Talk to a lawyer who will take the time to investigate the facts and consider the full situation when preparing your defense.
Do not hesitate to contact the law office of H. Michael Steinberg to defend you against prescription drug crime charges.
Types of Fraudulent Prescriptions
Pharmacists should be aware of the various kinds of fraudulent prescriptions which may be presented for dispensing.
• Legitimate prescription pads are stolen from physicians’ offices and prescriptions are written for fictitious patients.
• Some patients, in an effort to obtain additional amounts of legitimately prescribed drugs, alter the physician’s prescription.
• Some drug abusers will have prescription pads from a legitimate doctor printed with a different call back number that is answered by an accomplice to verify the prescription.
• Some drug abusers will call in their own prescriptions and give their own telephone number as a call back confirmation.
• Computers are often used to create prescriptions for nonexistent doctors or to copy legitimate doctors’ prescriptions.
The following criteria may indicate that the purported prescription was not issued for a legitimate medical purpose.
• The prescriber writes significantly more prescriptions (or in larger quantities) compared to other practitioners in your area.
• The patient appears to be returning too frequently. A prescription which should have lasted for a month in legitimate use, is being refilled on a biweekly, weekly or even a daily basis.
• The prescriber writes prescriptions for antagonistic drugs, such as depressants and stimulants, at the same time. Drug abusers often request prescriptions for “uppers and downers” at the same time.
• Patient appears presenting prescriptions written in the names of other people.
• A number of people appear simultaneously, or within a short time, all bearing similar prescriptions from the same physician.
• Numerous “strangers,” people who are not regular patrons or residents of your community, suddenly show up with prescriptions from the same physician.
Typical Characteristics of Forged Prescriptions
1. The Prescription looks “too good”; the prescriber’s handwriting is too legible;
2. The Quantities, directions or dosages differ from usual medical usage;
3. The Prescription does not comply with the acceptable standard abbreviations or appear to be textbook presentations;
4. The Prescription appears to be photocopied;
5. The Directions written in full with no abbreviations;
6. The Prescription is written in different color inks or written in different handwriting.