Many people accused of drug distribution understand that their behavior violates the law. People who sell illegal substances to others are at risk of criminal prosecution if they get caught.
However, people do not have to engage in organized criminal activity to be vulnerable to serious drug charges. Sometimes, people make mistakes with legal prescription medication that can lead to very serious criminal accusations. Even without financial gain, people could face drug distribution charges.
Transferring medication could be a crime
Doctors write prescriptions based on medical need. In some cases, patients don’t respond well to treatment and cease using medication. Other times, they respond particularly well and don’t require the full course of treatment.
In either situation, they might consider sharing their extra medication with family members, neighbors or coworkers. Many people share medication for non-recreational purposes. They know that another person uses the same medication as they do. They might view destroying the medication as wasteful.
Well-intentioned people may fail to understand that the act of transferring medication, even without any compensation, can justify drug distribution charges. Particularly if the other person has a bad reaction to the medication or causes a crime while under the influence, the person who provided the medication could face legal scrutiny and possibly prosecution.
Avoiding common prescription drug mistakes and fighting back against allegations can help people avoid criminal consequences for behavior intended to help others. Adults accused of distributing medication to others without a license often need support as they prepare to respond to their charges, and that’s okay. With the right knowledge and legal strategy, it is sometimes possible to avoid a conviction when facing prescription drug charges.
