McLean, VA Prescription Fraud Lawyer

Drug Crimes Lawyer Helping People Accused of Fraudulently Obtaining Prescription Drugs in McLean, Virginia

The crime of prescription drug fraud is very broadly defined in Virginia law. It encompasses a wide variety of conduct related to obtaining prescription drugs using dishonest means.

There are a number of reasons people may resort to deceiving a doctor, forging a prescription, or using a fake ID to obtain a controlled substance. Many pharmaceuticals come with a risk of addiction, making it extremely difficult for some people to stop taking certain medications when their doctors stop prescribing them. Patients with legitimate pain may act out of desperation to get relief. It is also possible for patients to be falsely accused based on a misunderstanding. This is especially likely to happen to people who may be seeing multiple specialists regularly.

Noorishad Law, P.C. understands that prescription drug fraud is a complex and nuanced issue. McLean, VA prescription drug fraud lawyer Kaveh Noorishad will do all he can to protect your rights and guard you against harsh treatment in the criminal justice system. He has been recognized as one of Virginia's 10 best criminal defense attorneys for client satisfaction by the American Institute of Criminal Attorneys. Many of his cases have been featured on local and national news outlets, and he is known for taking on difficult, complex, and high-profile cases while producing outstanding results.

Prescription Drug Fraud Charges Explained

Virginia's prescription drug fraud laws cover countless methods of obtaining or attempting to obtain controlled prescription drugs using deceptive means. People who are caught with illegally-obtained prescription drugs can also be charged with related drug crimes such as drug possession. You may be charged with prescription drug fraud based on accusations of:

• Forging or Editing a Prescription: Creating a fake prescription, using a prescription pad without authorization, or editing the name, strength, or quantity of a drug on a legitimate prescription are all forms of prescription drug fraud. Accusations of altering a prescription to obtain a large quantity of prescription drugs can lead to drug distribution charges.
• Impersonating Medical Personnel: Pretending to be a doctor or medical staff to call in a prescription is a common way that people may commit prescription fraud. Pharmacy staff members may believe that the person they are talking to is impersonating a medical professional, and this could lead to accusations of drug offenses or an arrest by police when picking up a prescription.
• Misrepresenting a Medical Condition: Falsifying medical records or lying about having a medical condition in an effort to obtain a prescription is a type of fraud. This can be problematic, as patients who describe pain for which a definitive medical cause cannot be found may be falsely accused of fraud.
• Visiting Multiple Doctors for Duplicate Prescriptions: Generally, if you take a prescription drug, only one doctor will be managing that prescription. Otherwise, it could appear that you are "doctor-shopping" and trying to get multiple doctors to prescribe the same medication. However, patients with significant medical problems often need to see multiple specialists, and different doctors may handling different prescription. You could be charged with an offense based on a misunderstanding or a miscommunication between medical offices or pharmacies.
• Using a Fake ID to Pick up Medication: You may be required to show identification when picking up a controlled substance from a pharmacy. This is partially so that the pharmacy—and, if necessary, the state—can identify people who received certain types of prescriptions. Accusations that you have used a fake ID to obtain controlled substances can lead to prescription fraud charges.
• Falsely Reporting Theft or Loss: You could be accused of claiming that your prescription medication was stolen or picked up by someone who did not have authorization. Even if you had a legitimate reason to claim that drugs had been lost or stolen, you may be suspected of prescription fraud in an attempt to obtain more drugs.

There are multiple strategies that our skilled attorney may use to defend you against an accusation of prescription drug fraud. It can be difficult for the state to prove that you intended to commit fraud when the facts are not entirely clear. Innocent mistakes can sometimes lead to fraud accusations, and our experienced lawyer can take steps to get the charges against you dismissed.

Contact Our McLean, VA Prescription Drug Fraud Lawyer

Noorishad Law, P.C. is committed to achieving outstanding results for people accused of drug crimes. Experienced McLean prescription fraud defense attorney Kaveh Noorishad fights to make the impossible possible in criminal cases. Contact us at 703-542-4500 for a complimentary consultation.