Houston Prescription Drug Fraud Lawyer

Houston Prescription Drug Charge Defense Attorney

Thousands of people living in the Houston area are prescribed drugs by their doctors to treat a wide range of ailments, and when taken responsibly according to a doctor’s instructions, they can be safe and effective. However, prescription drugs can be misused just like illegal drugs, and certain actions taken with legally prescribed drugs are against the law. An experienced Houston prescription drug crime lawyer at Hochglaube & DeBorde Law Firm can assist you if you have been charged with such an offense.

Many people are under the false impression that prescription drug crimes are less serious than drug crimes involving illegal drugs. This is not true. The penalties for prescription drug crimes can yield the same penalties as an illegal drug crime, depending on the type and amount of drug.

If you have been charged with selling, distributing, or trafficking prescription drugs, or obtaining prescriptions by fraud, you can put criminal defense attorney Nicole DeBorde’s experience and trial knowledge to work for you. Contact us online or call (713) 526-6300 to schedule a free initial consultation and case evaluation.

Prescription Drug Crimes

• Illegal possession of Rx drugs. It is illegal for anyone to possess certain prescription drugs without a valid prescription. Penalties for illegal possession of these drugs will typically depend on the Schedule of the drug, the quantity in question, and what steps the defendant took to illegally obtain the drug.
• Forging a prescription. Some prescription drug crime cases pertain to forged prescriptions. This is a serious offense that can lead to felony prosecution depending on how the prescription paperwork was obtained, what drugs the defendant attempted to secure with the forged prescription, and other steps taken to complete the crime.
• Pharmacy fraud/prescription fraud. This may pertain to defrauding a pharmacy in any way, such as altering a valid prescription in an effort to obtain a different drug than what was prescribed or attempting to have someone else’s prescription filled without their knowledge.
• Transporting of prescription drugs. This offense would follow similar prosecutorial lines as what one would expect if they were arrested for illegal transport of any other illegal drug. The penalties will depend on the Schedule of the drug, how the drugs were obtained, and the quantity in the defendant’s possession.
• Distributing prescription drugs. This offense pertains to distributing prescription drugs for the purposes of street sales. This offense would reflect what one could expect if they were arrested for distributing illegal drugs, and the severity of their penalties will typically depend on the Schedule of the drug and the quantity involved.
• Internet marketing of prescription drugs. It is illegal to sell many prescription drugs over the Internet. However, many drug sales are conducted through social media and can lead to serious criminal penalties for those involved.
• Illegally buying prescription drugs online. Many prescription drugs are only legally able to be purchased with a valid prescription. Illegally purchasing prescription drugs over the Internet can lead to severe penalties based on the type of drug and the quantity purchased.
• Drug delivery, manufacturing, and trafficking. “Pill mills” and other drug manufacturing operations, as well as trafficking, can lead to some of the most serious drug charges a person can face in Houston. These operations often involve multiple defendants and can easily lead to multiple felony charges for everyone involved. Some trafficking cases are filed in federal court when these operations cross state lines and violate federal laws. A skilled drug trafficking lawyer can provide the necessary defense to navigate these complex charges and protect your rights.

We defend people charged with possession without a prescription, or illegally transporting or distributing prescription drugs. For most charges the subsequent penalties could be severe. Trust your case to an attorney who understands the charges and knows how to fight them.

Attorney DeBorde routinely handles drug cases involving the following prescription drugs: Xanax, Vicodin, Adderall, Codeine, Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Ritalin, and others. Our firm thoroughly understands the federal Scheduling system for prescription drugs and what this could mean for your impending case. It is vital that you secure defense representation you can trust as soon as possible after your arrest for any type of prescription drug-related crime in Houston.

A Former Prosecutor 

Attorney Nicole DeBorde has nearly 20 years of experience as an attorney. Eight of those years were spent as a prosecuting attorney for Harris County. That experience has prepared her to defend clients charged with all types of crimes. She knows how to effectively challenge evidence and anticipate the prosecution’s case. She can also assist in post-conviction matters including state and federal appeals. As a skilled post conviction lawyer and criminal appeals lawyer, she is dedicated to helping clients navigate the appeals process and pursue justice.