Understanding prescription drug crimes

Understanding prescription drug crimes

Drug crimes in Wisconsin do not always have to involve illegal substances such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana or methamphetamines. Inappropriate actions related to prescription medications can also result in criminal charges against those involved. This can happen in the most innocent of cases at times such as when a person is in pain and has a friend with some leftover pain medication. If the latter person sells even so much as one pain pill to the in-need friend, drug charges can ensue.

Some of the drugs commonly involved in cases that lead to criminal actions include the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and the sleeping pill Ambien. Pain medications like Vicodin, Codein, Oxycontin, Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are also frequently related to such situations and the distribution of these in unauthorized ways can be classified as a form of narcotics trafficking.

People can be arrested for the illegal possession of prescription drugs and for acts deemed as forgery to obtain the drugs as well as the buying and selling of substances. Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs (OUI) charges can be assessed on people even if they have legally obtained the drugs and have taken them according to their doctors’ orders. The penalties for OUI convictions follow those of any impaired driving conviction but the big difference here is that there is not an amount of these drugs that clearly defines impairment as with alcohol.

As an experienced drug crime attorney, Craig Kuhary has worked with many different drug cases and understands the nuances that can exist in each one. Wisconsin residents can learn more about prescription drug charges at our website.