Prescription Drug Offenses In Ohio

Prescription Drug Offenses In Columbus And Central Ohio
As abuse of prescription drugs has increased in Columbus Ohio and the central Ohio area, laws have gotten tougher, and charges for these offenses have been filed with increasing frequency. Even if use of the drug is due to a genuine need and began with a legitimate prescription, a conviction for a prescription drug crime in Ohio can significantly impact your life. In addition to the punishment imposed in court, which includes a possible driver license suspension, a drug-related conviction on your record will have secondary consequences related to professional licensing, employment opportunities, student financial aid, and insurance. If you have been charged with this type of offense in Columbus or central Ohio and hope to possibly avoid or reduce those consequences, you may want to consult a Columbus prescription drug lawyer.

Attorney For Prescription Drug Charges In Columbus And Central Ohio
The Dominy Law Firm has been focused on criminal defense since 1997, and we have represented many clients charged with prescription drug offenses. We only practice criminal defense, and we accept a limited number of cases so we can provide personal service to each client. Our firm practices in Franklin County, Delaware County, and other counties throughout central Ohio.

Ohio Prescription Drug Crimes and Sentences
Deception to Obtain Dangerous Drugs. Ohio law makes it illegal to obtain a dangerous drug or a prescription for a dangerous drug by deception. The level of this offense and the potential sentence depends on the category of the drug and the amount of the drug. For drugs in Schedule III, Schedule IV and Schedule V, the offense ranges from a fifth degree felony (up to one year in prison) to a second degree felony (up to eight years in prison). For drugs in Schedule I and Schedule II, the offense ranges from a fourth degree felony (up to 18 months in prison) to a first degree felony (up to eleven years in prison).

Ohio law also prohibits possessing an uncompleted preprinted blank prescription. This type of the offense is a fifth degree felony punishable by up to one year in prison. All convictions for Deception to Obtain Dangerous Drugs have a possible driver license suspension up to five years and possible probation for up to five years.

Illegal Processing of Drug Documents. Ohio law makes it illegal to do the following: (1) make a false statement in a prescription (and certain other documents); (2) make, sell or possess a fake or forged prescription (and certain other things); (3) acquire a prescription (and certain other documents) by theft; and (4) make or affix a false or forged label to a receptacle containing a dangerous drug. The level of this offense and the potential sentence depends how the offense was committed, the category of the drug, and the amount of the drug. This offense ranges from a fifth degree felony (up to one year in prison) to a fourth degree felony (up to 18 months in prison). All convictions for Illegal Processing of Drug Documents carry a mandatory driver’s license suspension up to five years and possible probation for up to five years.

Illegal Dispensing of Drug Samples. Ohio law prohibits furnishing another person with a sample drug. This offense may be a first degree misdemeanor (up to six months in jail), a fifth degree felony (up to 12 months in prison), or a fourth degree felony (up to 18 months in prison), depending on the type and amount of drug involved. A conviction for Illegal Dispensing Of Drug Samples carries a potential driver license suspension up to five years and potential probation for up to five years.

Forgery. Ohio law makes it illegal to do any of the following with the purpose to defraud: (1) forge any writing of another person without that person’s authority; (2) forge any writing so it purports to be genuine when it actually is spurious; (3) utter or possess with purpose to utter, any writing the person knows to have been forged. Forgery is typically a fifth degree felony, and the potential punishment includes a possible prison sentence up to one year and probation up to five years. Unlike the other offenses related to prescription drugs, Forgery does not involve a driver license suspension.

Disclaimer: The offense levels and potential sentences for prescription drug offenses are somewhat complex. What is presented in this website is an informational summary and is not intended to be a comprehensive reproduction of Ohio prescription drug laws. In addition, the Ohio legislature can change these details at any time. The summary on this page is current at the time this page was published.

Strategies For Prescription Drug Charges In Columbus And Central Ohio
When the Dominy Law Firm represents a client for prescription drug offenses, we approach the case in two ways. First, we explore the availability of a diversion program or Intervention In Lieu Of Conviction which may result in the charges being dismissed. Second, we obtain the evidence the prosecutor intends to introduce so we can make a fully informed decision about how to proceed. How we proceed depends on the availability of diversion or Intervention In Lieu Of Conviction, the strength of the evidence, and possible defenses. The primary objective is to get the charges dismissed. If dismissal is not a possibility, the next objective is to either achieve a favorable plea agreement or take the case to trial.

Representation For Prescription Drug Crimes In Columbus And Central Ohio
Since 1997, the Dominy Law Firm has represented several clients charged with prescription drug offenses in Franklin County, Delaware County, and other counties in the central Ohio area. We are often able to get the charges dismissed or amended to lesser offenses, and clients are often able to get the records for the case sealed (expunged). For more information about us, please read the firm overview page and the client reviews page. We charge flat fees for prescription drug cases, so you will know the total fee before representation begins, and credit cards are accepted. If you would like to discuss your prescription drug offense case, please submit a CONTACT FORM or call us at 614-717-1177 to arrange a free consultation.