Prescription Drugs / Pill Mills

With the rise of prescription drug abuse in Georgia and across the United States, there has been an increase in the number of so-called pill mills. Pill mills are clinics, both legitimate and illegitimate, that dispense controlled drugs like OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, methadone and Xanax with little or no medical reasoning or examination. They are attractive to drug addicts; prescriptions and refills are easy to get. They are also the target of law authorities. It is against federal law for anyone to prescribe medication “outside the usual course of medical practice” and is a serious offense for anyone charged with such a crime.

If you are a physician accused of prescribing medications that are deemed “not valid” or of running Georgia pill mills, the experienced lawyers at Conaway & Strickler, P.C., can help you defend your actions in federal court. The crime may be considered drug trafficking, which is a federal felony offense that carries higher penalties than most state offenses that concern pill mill activities. If you are convicted of drug trafficking in a federal court, there are steep consequences, including:

• Up to life in prison
• Loss of medical license
• Forfeiture of property
• Fines up to $1 million or more

If you are charged with a federal drug crime, you need to hire an experienced federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Successful defense against federal criminal charges require a set of skills that many attorneys who only practice in state court do not possess.

In their eagerness to crack down on the prescription drug epidemic, federal law enforcement and prosecutors are sometimes overzealous. They accuse legitimate doctors and health professionals of running pill mills, when in fact their operations are entirely legitimate. They can also foul up investigations, break the rules of search and seizure, and violate the due process rights of those accused.

The attorneys at Conaway & Strickler, P.C. have the know-how to find the flaws in the prosecution’s case, and the intellect to give you the best defense possible as you undergo what is likely to be the most stressful legal situation any medical professional can face. After all, a conviction could mean jail time, fines and the loss of your license to practice.

To learn more, reach out to our firm. You can call us at (404) 816-5000 or contact us online. Initial consultations are always free, enabling us to assess your case and inform you of the likely outcomes before you are obliged to retain us.