Drug diversion is a very serious allegation that can quickly lead to criminal charges being filed at the state or federal level. Even without criminal charges, the allegations themselves can jeopardize a doctor’s practice, medical license and future.
If you are being investigated for or have been charged with drug diversion, it’s important to have an attorney with experience in both healthcare law and criminal defense. Federal defense attorney Jonathan Rose has the experience and skill you need to defend yourself successfully against drug diversion charges and protect your future.
Drug Diversion Investigations
Since 2017, when the opioid epidemic received national attention as a public health emergency, state and federal law enforcement agencies have ramped up their efforts to combat drug diversion among doctors and other healthcare professionals. They have invested heavily in technological resources and manpower to investigate and prosecute doctors whom they believe have diverted prescribed controlled substances for illegal purposes and will target anyone they suspect has contributed to the opioid epidemic.
During drug diversion investigations, state and federal agents may examine patient records, talk to staff, interview patients, and try to engage with you in a discussion about the investigation. However innocuous their questions or comments may seem, you should at no point before, during or after an investigation, talk with investigators about your case or provide a written response to their questions without first talking with a qualified defense attorney.
Government agents are trained to solicit incriminating information, and any statements you make can subsequently be used against you for criminal charges. Therefore, it is important not to communicate anything without first consulting with an attorney experienced at handling drug diversion allegations.
By intervening early, an experienced drug diversion defense attorney may be able to help resolve an investigation without charges being filed. Attorney Jonathan Rose knows the defense avenues open to doctors being investigated for drug diversion. He will skillfully handle all communications with government authorities and leverage his knowledge and experience to defend you against all allegations.
Licensing Board Actions
Whether or not the state of Florida or the federal government decides to file criminal charges against you, the state licensing board can pursue action against your license. Cases that are investigated are decided by a Probable Cause Panel of the Board, which can issue a recommendation to begin a Formal Administrative Complaint or close the case.
Whenever the Florida Board of Medicine is involved, it is in your best interest to have an experienced Florida license defense attorney for doctors intervening on your behalf. Complaints filed through the Florida Department of Health against a physician can be extremely damaging to your career and long-term livelihood, but an experienced defense attorney may be able to challenge the allegations or mitigate the consequences to preserve your license and protect your career.
Drug Diversion Criminal Charges
Drug diversion charges may be filed by the state, but diverting prescription medications is a federal crime under the Controlled Substances Act, so you could be facing federal charges. That is why it is important to have an experienced attorney who can represent you in front of the state Board, in state court, or in federal court.
If convicted of drug diversion in federal court, you could face fines up to $250,000 and prison terms up to 10 years for each offense. Doctors prosecuted for drug diversion are also often charged with other federal crimes such as healthcare fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy, so again, having an experienced federal health care defense attorney representing you is very important.
Get Help from an Experienced Drug Diversion Defense Attorney
If you are being investigated for or charged with drug diversion, you could be facing very serious consequences. However, early intervention by a knowledgeable drug diversion defense attorney may be able to prevent formal action and criminal charges.
To fight allegations and build a strong defense to protect your rights and your future, you need an attorney who is experienced and skilled at defending clients in both state and federal court. In particular, a successful defense against federal criminal charges requires knowledge and skills that most attorneys who practice only in state court do not have.
Attorney Jonathan Rose is a federal defense attorney with significant experience defending physicians and other health professionals against drug diversion and related charges. He will put his knowledge of state and federal prosecutors’ strategies and years of experience in state and federal court to work in developing a strong, comprehensive defense strategy for all aspects of your case.
Attorney Jonathan Rose will fight to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future. Call us or complete the form on our website to get the legal help you need.