Prescription Fraud Attorney in Georgetown

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Prescription Fraud

A prescription fraud attorney in Georgetown conviction triggers severe penalties far beyond incarceration, often damaging careers and reputations permanently.

Penalty Classification (Felony vs. Misdemeanor)

The severity of the charge is determined by the Schedule of the prescription drug involved:

• Schedule I or II Drug (e.g., Oxycodone, Morphine): Second-Degree Felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Schedule III or IV Drug (e.g., Xanax, Valium): Third-Degree Felony, punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Schedule V Drug (e.g., certain codeine cough syrups): Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000.

Incarceration and Financial Penalties

• Felony Prison Time: Ranges from 180 days in state jail up to 20 years in state prison, depending on the drug schedule.
• Professional License Loss: For doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, a felony conviction for fraud or drug-related offenses almost always results in the immediate and permanent revocation of their professional license.
• Driver's License Suspension: A felony drug conviction carries a mandatory driver's license suspension.

Lifelong Collateral Damage

• Permanent Felony Record: A felony record cannot be sealed or expunged, creating a lifelong barrier to employment in any job involving money, drugs, or public trust.
• Immigration Status: A drug or fraud felony is a severe crime of moral turpitude, posing a mandatory deportation risk for non-citizens.
• Theft/Forgery Overlap: Prescription Fraud is often charged alongside other felonies, such as Forgery or Identity Theft, increasing prison exposure and fines.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Prescription Fraud Defense

Winters & Chidester offers a defense strategy built on penetrating the complex medical and bureaucratic evidence that the prosecution relies on.

• Challenging Intent/Medical Necessity: We establish that the medication was, in fact, medically necessary or that the client lacked the intent to defraud. We use evidence of addiction or genuine pain to argue for treatment alternatives over incarceration.
• Mistake or Accident Defense: We argue that any discrepancy (such as an altered quantity) was the result of a pharmacy error, a misunderstood instruction, or an honest administrative mistake, not a willful criminal act.
• Attacking Forgery Claims: We work with handwriting Georgetown prescription fraud lawyer experts to challenge any claims that the client personally forged a prescription.
• Strategic Negotiation: Our firm’s background as former prosecutors gives us credibility when negotiating with the District Attorney's Office, allowing us to propose non-conviction resolutions like Deferred Adjudication.

Why Work with a Prescription Fraud Lawyer in Georgetown

The stakes for prescription fraud charges are high—a conviction can affect your record, employment, and reputation for years. Our firm stands out because our criminal defense attorneys have worked as Texas prosecutors and now defend clients in these same courts. 

This unique insight lets us examine a case from the government’s point of view, spot weaknesses in evidence, and anticipate legal strategies used by the prosecution.

• Former prosecutors on your side: We anticipate how the prosecution may approach your case and prepare accordingly.
• Personalized, hands-on representation: We invest the time to get to know your story and tailor our counsel to your needs.
• Open communication: Our attorneys make it easy to get answers and updates at every step.
• State & federal defense experience: Whether your case is heard in a local or federal court, we bring knowledge of both systems to the table.
• Bilingual support: Services in English and Spanish ensure clear guidance for Georgetown’s diverse community.

Clients often tell us they appreciate our honesty about the process—and our willingness to explain every step in language they understand. We help you make sense of local laws, court practices, and possible legal options, no matter your background. 

Whether this is your first criminal charge or you have faced the system before, our approach always centers on transparency, care, and precise preparation. We are committed to supporting you wherever your case leads.