Preserving Your Freedom: Skilled Attorneys for Prescription Drug Charges
Prescription medication is an essential tool in healthcare. Doctors and other healthcare professionals prescribe millions of pills to patients for all manner of conditions and injuries. As they are with illicit drugs, law enforcement vigorously pursues and prosecutes any illegal use of prescription medication, including doctor shopping and prescription forgery.
Tools such as the Ohio Automated RX Reporting System (OARRS) help them track violations and make arrests. Convicted offenders face years behind bars, fines, and significant collateral consequences.
As a prescription drug lawyer, Gounaris Abboud defends clients against prescription drug charges. From the moment we take your case, we work on your defense and fight to get you free of the charges.
Our criminal defense attorneys have earned recognition as being among the top lawyers in Ohio and have defended thousands of clients against prescription drug charges in Montgomery County and beyond. Reach out today for a free case evaluation.
Are You Facing Prescription Drug Charges in Dayton, OH?
Contact Gounaris Abboud, LPA, for a free case review with an experienced drug defense lawyer from our team. Contact us online or call (937) 915-6271 today.
As you likely know, there are numerous different types of prescription drugs for all manner of ailments and conditions. In general, the most common prescription drugs are the ones most often found as the basis for prescription drug charges, including:
Xanax
Codeine
Valium
Lipitor
Fentanyl
Hydrocodone
Dilaudid
Demrol
Methadone
Morphine
Percocet
Oxycontin
Darvon
Darvocet
Levothyroxine
It is important to note that a prescription medication need not get a user high for it to be illegal. Many of the prescription drug offenses in Ohio involve drugs that don’t cause an altered state of consciousness and may be simply being used illegally for medical purposes.
Common Types of Illegal Prescription Drug Charges
Numerous different prescription drug charges cover a range of different situations. Dayton prescription drug attorneys fight to defend their clients from the harsh punishments that often accompany these crimes, which include time behind bars and fines.
Prescription Medication Fraud
The use of forgery, fraud, or other types of deception to obtain prescription medication.
Possession Without Prescription
Possessing prescription medication without a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Distribution or Trafficking
Selling or distributing prescription medication without authorization, typically involving large amounts of pharmaceuticals.
Doctor Shopping
Seeking prescription medication from multiple healthcare providers without their knowledge.
Forgery of Prescriptions
Altering, forging, or creating a fake prescription to obtain prescription medication.
Prescription Drug Theft
Theft of prescription drugs from medical institutions, doctor’s offices, and patients.
In many cases, defendants face multiple prescription drug-related charges at once, which threatens to compound the sentences that they may face. For this reason, it is essential for them to have experienced legal counsel.
Prescription Drug Crime Penalties in Dayton, OH
There is an array of penalties for defendants convicted of prescription drug crimes. The sentences vary from offense to offense and depend on the drug involved.
Prescription Drug Defense Strategies: Protecting Your Rights
Depending on your circumstances, you may have one or more strong defenses to charges you are facing. We’ll review your case to determine the best defenses to your charges, which may include:
No Intent
The prosecutor usually has to prove a level of intent when prosecuting drug crimes. One of the most natural defenses a dangerous drug lawyer will often put forth is that their client had no intent to possess the drugs. For example, if someone gives you a package with unauthorized prescription drugs, you won’t be convicted of possession unless the state can prove that you knew the drugs were there.
Prescription Discrepancies
Prescription errors are not as rare as they should be. An error relating to someone’s name, dosage, or other aspects can lead to prescription drug charges for an innocent person. Challenging these errors is often a strong defense.
Unlawful Search and Seizure
All police encounters with private individuals are governed by the U.S. Constitution. If law enforcement workers violate the Bill of Rights when stopping, searching, or interrogating a suspect, a drug crime lawyer can likely get the evidence thrown out.
Identity Error
Law enforcement often makes identity mistakes. When this occurs, the defendant’s attorney can present the proper exculpatory evidence to free their client.
Genuine Need
Proving that you have a genuine need for a certain type of prescription medication can help overcome a charge of fraudulent use of medication.
Entrapment
Regardless of whether you’re facing a minor or serious offense, the police cannot legally entrap you into dangerous drugs or prescription drug crimes you were not poised to commit.
Chain of Custody Problems
An experienced attorney will find problems with the chain of custody of evidence. Typically, these problems manifest as breaks in the chain of custody.
Authorized Prescription
For those charged with illegal possession, a powerful defense would be to prove that the prescription drugs were actually legally prescribed.
Duress or Necessity
An attorney can successfully argue that their client was threatened into possessing or trafficking prescription drugs or had to possess or take them due to emergency or necessity.
Whatever the facts of your case, you can rely on Gounaris Abboud to identify and build the strongest defenses available to your prescription and controlled substances charges.
How Can Our Prescription Drug Lawyers Help You?
1.
Evidence Analysis
We’ll comb through every piece of evidence against you to spot weaknesses and inconsistencies.
2.
Challenging Unlawful Searches
We’ll carefully review the arrest and any searches to identify wrongful searches and seizures and to get the wrongfully seized evidence thrown out.
3.
Witness Credibility
We thoroughly test the validity of each witness’s statement against you and dismantle untrustworthy and inconsistent testimony.
4.
Tailored Defense
Our legal team will listen closely to you and carefully review your case to tailor the services you receive directly to your needs.
5.
Minimizing Consequences
Our objective is to always fight hard to minimize the consequences for our clients, including fighting for plea deals, dismissals, probation, and more.
Why Choose Gounaris Abboud, LPA?
Proven Track Record
Our track record demonstrates that we are a law firm that knows how to get favorable results for our clients.
Legal Guidance
We not only fight for you but also guide and advise your moves in this realm.
Strategic Defense Strategies
We work diligently to develop effective strategies tailored to your case.
Attorney Nick Gounaris handled my case and he did a wonderful job. I am very pleased with this law firm. I have never been in the situation I found myself in ever before and it was scary and confusing, but Nick and his staff were wonderful with answering my many questions and they were very sympathetic and understanding, always quick to respond when I would call. I am happy with the outcome of my case. If you find yourself in a situation that needs legal help, these are the guys to call!
Melinda Q.
5
They did absolutely everything possible to help reduce the sentence and charges faced. The fees for their services were worth every cent and superior to any public defendant representation. They both put their hearts into their work and care like nobody else I have ever encountered in the legal system.
Melinda Q.
5
I found Gounaris and Abboud through good online reviews. Mr. Abboud handled my cases very professionally for two years. He truly takes his cases to heart and cares about his clients. He keeps you informed and has all the answers to all your questions. You really feel safe with Mr. Abboud as your lawyer. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing professional family law representation.
Patty M.
5
I thought I was in a no win situation until I met these gentleman. They are smart, aggressive, dedicated, connected and CAN GET THE JOB DONE.
James O.
5
They did absolutely everything possible to help reduce the sentence and charges faced. They both put their heart into their work and care like nobody else.
Karis F.
5
“They both put their heart into their work and care like nobody else I have ever encountered in the legal system.”
Karis F.
5
I have never been in the situation I found myself in ever before and it was scary and confusing, but Nick and his staff were wonderful with answering my questions.
Melinda Q.
5
“I felt a sense of peace and confidence when I met Tony. He has given me undivided attention in our appointments together.”
Sarah B.
5
Having my wife find herself in a legal situation which required top notch representation, we were introduced to Nick Gounaris of the firm Gounaris, Denslow and Abboud. Throughout the process, Nick provided us with not only his professional law expertise, but also continual reassurance that we would receive a very positive outcome. Nick went above and beyond in advising us regarding our case. We cannot thank Nick enough for his encouragement, truthfulness and belief in my wife. We give Nick and his firm 5 stars. If anyone is in the need of legal representation, the firm of Gounaris, Denslow and Abboud is the only choice.
Todd M.
Reach Out for a Free Consultation Today!
Contact Gounaris Abboud for legal representation that will make a difference in your case. Don't settle for anything less than quality representation.
Prescription drug offenses are various illegal actions relating to prescription medication, such as illegal possession, use, trafficking, distribution, and manufacture.
Can I face federal charges for prescription drug offenses?
Yes. If you commit a prescription drug offense, you can be charged at the federal level, most notably when a large quantity of medication goes from one state to another.
Can I get a prescription drug offense expunged from my record?
If you have a prescription drug offense on your record, you could potentially have it expunged if the circumstances of your case allow.
Can I avoid jail time for a prescription drug offense?
Some circumstances allow certain defendants to avoid time behind bars. These alternative sentencing measures include diversion programs, rehab, and probation.
Resources for Prescription Drug Information in Ohio
Various resources are available to help you understand more about prescription drugs and the criminal law in Ohio. Exploring the information they offer can help you answer your questions.
The DEA plays a significant role in enforcing the drug schedule, which consists of five categories. Their website contains a wealth of scheduling information and commonly trafficked prescription drugs.
The city of Columbus, Ohio, has published a significant amount of information relating to the opiate crisis within the state on its website. Visitors will find information and resources related to treatment, education, and more.
The Ohio Stop Act is legislation that addresses the opiate crisis. It seeks to prevent synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, from entering Ohio communities illegally. It also provides for rehabilitation and prevention.
The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy is the lead agency governing the pharmaceutical industry. It works with drug companies, law enforcement, and the healthcare industry to regulate and enforce laws and regulations.
