Can I Be Arrested For Possessing A Legal Prescription Drug?

Prescription drug crimes affect people from all walks of life. It often starts with dependence on a drug that was obtained legally. Many of the people who are caught up on prescription drug charges had never been in trouble with the law before.

To protect yourself from the serious consequences of having a drug conviction on your record, get help from an experienced defense lawyer. For a free initial consultation, call Farnsworth & Murphy LLC, in Atlanta at 404-525-8500. We are here to protect your reputation and your future if you have been charged with a drug offense.

When Is Possession Of A Prescription Drug Illegal?

There are several times when it is illegal to possess prescription drugs. Here are three examples:

• When you possess the drug without a prescription, even if you are just holding the drug for a friend or family member.
• When you alter or forge a prescription, or engage in “doctor shopping” to obtain a prescription.
• When you sell prescription drugs or serve as a straw buyer for someone else.

Some of the drugs most commonly involved with prescription drug charges are opioid painkillers such as Percocet, Vicodin, OxyContin, Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. Possession of a controlled substance without a prescription is a felony in Georgia, subject to a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.