CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 declares that California residents may not “doctor shop,” or visit multiple medical professionals, in pursuit of prescriptions for controlled substances. If you’re accused of doctor shopping and, subsequently, prescription fraud, you may face up to three years in jail along with other fines and penalties.
Fortunately, you have the means to explain California Health and Safety Codes and challenge accusations of CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 violations. You can collaborate with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer to question the evidence used against you, challenge legal biases, and protect your rights.
Let’s break down the semantics of CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 so you can understand how to approach your defense.
Breaking Down Health and Safety Code 11173
California dictates that residents may not freely access certain substances, most often because those substances are provenly addictive or dangerous when used without supervision. However, state law also accounts for the illogics of addiction.
CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 directly seeks to punish people who “doctor shop,” or visit multiple medical professionals, in an effort to secure access to a controlled substance of prescription. The state categorizes this behavior as fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation as well as the concealment of the reality of a person’s physical well-being.
The state further notes that the “controlled substances” include all of the substances listed on California’s five classification schedules. This means that the pursuit and uncontrolled use of Vicodin, oxycodone, Xanax, and Valium, among other medications, can lead to you facing accusations of a CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 violation.
CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 Sister Crimes
Law enforcement officials often pair CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 charges with several sister charges, including the following:
- HSC 11153, prescription fraud by medical professionals
- HSC 11154a, prescribing a controlled substance without treatment
- HSC 11162.5, counterfeiting a prescription blank
Compound charges tend to result in more severe consequences and can turn a CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 misdemeanor charge into a felony charge. If you’re facing compound charges, speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles can help you cultivate a defense that de-escalates the prosecution and protects your rights.
Can a Los Angeles DUI Lawyer Defend You From CA Health and Safety Code Section 1173 Accusations?
You do have the opportunity to work with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer to defend yourself against accusations of doctor shopping and prescription fraud. Working with a legal representative allows you to dissect the accusations brought against you so you can craft a defense that specifically weakens the prosecution’s position.
Some of the defenses you can use to challenge the accusations brought against you may include the following:
- Misrepresentation of fraud, or false accusations of drug-seeking behavior.
- Entrapment, or the purposeful misrepresentation of your pursuit of medical attention.
- Coerced confessions, or confessions of doctor shopping and prescription fraud admitted under intense, extreme, and/or illegal circumstances.
You can count on the legal professionals in our network to develop a defense that addresses the specific circumstances that led to you facing CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 charges. You are an individual, and the lawyers in our network will treat you as such.
Consequences for Unchallenged CA Health and Safety Code Section 1173 Accusations
CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 violations constitute wobbler offenses. This means that if you’re accused of a CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 violation, you may face either a misdemeanor or felony charge based on a variety of factors. Those factors may include your existing criminal history, as applicable, as well as the substances you allegedly pursued.
If you face misdemeanor CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 charges, you risk imprisonment in a county jail for up to a year in addition to fines of $1,000. If you face felony CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 charges, you risk three years in county jail as well as maximum fines of up to $20,000.
Additionally, these accusations may make it more challenging for you to benefit from essential medical care after your imprisonment, as it may be more difficult to prove to medical professionals that you need help managing your pain.
What to Do If You’re Convicted of a CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 Violation
If you’ve previously been convicted of a CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 violation, there is legal recourse available to you. You can work with a Los Angeles DUI lawyer to appeal a court’s decision, specifically by presenting new evidence contradicting the prosecution’s previous accusations.
Don’t Wait to Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 violations are serious and put you at risk for wobbler charges. If you don’t take action to challenge wrongful CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 charges, you may face misdemeanor or felony charges depending on your criminal history.
Fortunately, Los Angeles DUI Lawyer can connect you with consummate legal representatives. The criminal defense attorneys in our professional network can go to court with you, discuss the logistics of your defense, and advocate for your right to fair treatment in court. That representation can reduce the charges brought against you or see them dropped.
If you’re ready to challenge your CA Health and Safety Code Section 11173 charges, get in touch with Los Angeles DUI Lawyer today. We’re ready to connect you with the right attorney.
