April 25, 2018
Giving Xanax to a friend or family member before a long flight—or lending someone else your old pain pills after suffering an injury may seem harmless. When it comes to sharing prescription pills—especially with friends or family—many people take a “who cares” attitude. However, in Florida, sharing prescription pills is actually a crime that can carry serious legal consequences if you ultimately get caught.
The Khonsari Law Group consists of criminal defense attorneys who will aggressively defend your rights. We will do everything we can to help you avoid a drug-related conviction and mitigate the long-term issues that you are facing. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our St. Petersburg defense lawyers, call our office today at (727) 269-5300 or contact us online.
The Law in Florida
In Florida, if you give your prescription drug to someone else, you can face second-degree felony charges. This is true even if no funds or other consideration is given in return for the drug. Upon conviction, you could be sentenced to up to fifteen years in jail. This is because by sharing prescription medications with someone else, you are essentially considered a drug dealer. Moreover, the person to whom you gave the drugs could be charged with a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.
Keeping Your Prescription Medications Out of the Wrong Hands
Prescription medications—especially pain medications—have high rates of dependence, addiction, and overdose. Consequently, doctors and other healthcare providers should always take the time to warn patients of the potential health and legal ramifications associated with sharing prescription medications with others. Unfortunately, however, that is not always the case.
However, there are steps that you can take to ensure that your prescription medications do not fall into the wrong hands—and to ensure that you do not run the risk of sustaining a criminal charge:
- Keep tabs on your prescription medications from the time you pick them up at the pharmacy
- Keep your prescriptions under lock and key at home—even if you use them on an intermittent basis
- Take only the smallest amount of medication that you need when you are traveling, and leave the rest of your medication at home
- Dispose of any medications as soon as you do not need them any longer through a medication take-back program or a DEA-authorized collector
Call an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
Drug charges should never be taken lightly. If you are facing a drug possession or distribution charge related to prescription drugs (or any drugs), you should not delay in seeking legal representation. The lawyers of the Khonsari Law Group will review your case for free and advise you about your legal options. To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our St. Petersburg defense attorneys, call our office today at (727) 269-5300 or send us an email through our online contact form.