Prescription drugs have been on the rise in recent years – it’s estimated that 7 in 10 American adults is taking at least one prescription drug at any given time. Many are completely legal; they’ve visited a physician and gotten a prescription for a genuine condition. Further, they’re not all narcotics. People are taking birth control pills, cholesterol medication and antibiotics.
However, about 5 percent of people nationwide take prescription painkillers recreationally… and in most cases, they’re not even prescribed to the users. They’re prescribed to a friend, a family member or a dealer. As Milwaukee drug crime lawyers, we’ve seen an uptick in cases like these.
So what happens if you get caught with prescription drugs that aren’t prescribed to you?
Possession of Prescription Drugs in Wisconsin
If you have a narcotic prescription drug in your possession that was not prescribed to you, you could be charged with possession of a controlled substance. Obviously if you’ve just picked up your mother’s prescription and you’re delivering it to her, this doesn’t apply to you; it applies to people who are using or selling the drugs for recreational use.
The law is very clear: you can be charged with possession of a controlled substance if you have it, period.
Possible Penalties for Drug Possession in Wisconsin
The penalties for drug possession vary based on what drug it is and how much you have. Many prescription drugs will fall under the category of Schedule II controlled substances, and those can classify as Class I felonies. Because you may serve time in jail and pay large fines if you are convicted of a Class I felony, it’s imperative that you talk to a Milwaukee drug crime lawyer who understands the local court system and our state laws. Your attorney will be able to start protecting your rights immediately.
