Prescription fraud is a serious crime in Wisconsin. If you’re convicted of it, you could be facing Class H felony punishments – and those include up to $10,000 in fines plus a term of imprisonment of up to 6 years. To make matters worse, if you’re caught with drugs you illegally obtained by prescription fraud, the courts may convict you of separate drug offenses, too.
What is Prescription Fraud?
According to Wisconsin law, you could be charged with forgery for writing your own prescription (by hand or using a computer). You could also be charged with a crime if you use someone else’s prescription, impersonate medical staff members to call in prescriptions, or change the quantity of drugs the pharmacy is supposed to dispense on an existing (and legitimate) prescription.
What to Do if You’re Charged With Prescription Fraud
If you’re charged with prescription fraud, your first instinct might be to get in touch with a Wisconsin drug crime lawyer. For many people, calling an attorney just makes sense – after all, a lawyer’s job is to make sure your legal rights are preserved under the law, as well as to answer your questions about possible penalties and make sure you understand the legal process you’re going through.
Many people who are charged with prescription fraud are also charged with corresponding drug crimes, such as possession of a narcotic or controlled substance. Those crimes, charged separately, carry their own penalties (including jail time and hefty fines). If you’ve had prior drug convictions, the penalties can be even worse.
When you’re convicted of any drug offense, the judge is required to suspend your driver’s license for at least 6 months and up to 5 years.
Do You Need to Talk to a Milwaukee Criminal Defense Lawyer About Prescription Fraud?
Being charged with prescription fraud is scary, and your future freedom depends on what happens in court. If you need help, call us at 414-383-6700, or get in touch with us online for a free case review.
