Prescription Fraud Attorney in Corpus Christi

Trusted Legal Guidance for Prescription Fraud Charges

If you need representation for a prescription fraud matter in Corpus Christi, personalized legal support can make a decisive difference. My name is Robert J. Gonzalez, and I bring decades of courtroom and judicial experience to every case I handle. Having served the Corpus Christi community since 1984, I know how stressful facing drug crime allegations can be. I offer a calm, supportive hand to help you navigate Texas’s legal system with confidence and clarity.

From the moment you contact my office, you receive my personal attention. I make it a priority to understand your background, answer your urgent questions, and help you make sense of the legal process ahead. My experience allows me to anticipate local practices in Nueces County and explain what to expect at every stage, so you can plan your next steps with less anxiety.

Fight the felony threat of prescription fraud. Call a prescription fraud attorney in Corpus Christi at (361) 309-9332 or fill out this online form now for 24/7 availability and a free consultation. I am a former prosecutor ready to defend you.

Understanding Prescription Fraud Laws in Texas

Prescription fraud under the Texas Controlled Substances Act is defined broadly as obtaining, or attempting to obtain, a controlled substance or prescription through any means of deception, misrepresentation, or forgery. The law is designed to catch anyone seeking to circumvent the legal process to acquire powerful, addictive medications.

The severity of the penalty is directly tied to the Penalty Group and Schedule of the drug involved. I meticulously review the Schedule classification in every prescription fraud case to determine the exact punishment exposure.

Common Types of Prescription Fraud Prosecuted

My firm defends clients against all forms of prescription fraud, including:

• Forging or Altering a Prescription: This includes changing the quantity, dosage, or refills on a legitimate prescription, or creating a fake prescription form entirely.
• Doctor Shopping: Obtaining or attempting to obtain the same or similar controlled substance from multiple physicians within a short timeframe without informing each doctor of the other prescriptions. This is specifically covered under the Texas Health and Safety Code.
• Impersonation: Posing as a medical professional to call in a fraudulent prescription to a pharmacy.
• Misrepresentation/Fraud: Lying to a doctor about symptoms or needs to secure a prescription for personal use or distribution.

Even the act of delivering a prescription form for something other than a valid medical purpose can constitute a Third-Degree Felony, demonstrating the severity with which Texas approaches these crimes.

Penalties and Felony Sentencing in Texas

Prescription fraud is rarely a simple misdemeanor. The charge is almost always classified as a felony, with the punishment directly tied to the Penalty Group of the controlled substance:

• Schedule I or II Drug: (e.g., Oxycodone, Morphine, Fentanyl, Adderall): This level of fraud is classified as a Second-Degree Felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Schedule III or IV Drug: (e.g., Xanax, Valium, Codeine, Ketamine): This level of fraud is classified as a Third-Degree Felony, punishable by 2 to 10 years in state prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Schedule V Drug: This is typically a Class A Misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000.

Enhancements and Collateral Consequences

• Delivery/Intent to Distribute: If the prosecution can show the fraud was committed with the intent to sell the drugs, the punishment can be severely enhanced, often matching drug trafficking penalties.
• Professional License Revocation: For healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists), a conviction almost certainly leads to the revocation of their professional license by the relevant state board.
• Permanent Record: A felony conviction means the loss of your right to vote and own firearms, severely limiting your employment and housing opportunities for life.

My firm is your aggressive prescription fraud attorney in Corpus Christi, dedicated to fighting these severe outcomes.

My Comprehensive Approach to Prescription Fraud Defense

As a former prosecutor, I recognize that the State’s case often relies on the assumptions of doctors and pharmacists, rather than conclusive criminal evidence. My firm builds a defense strategy designed to challenge these assumptions:

• Challenging Intent (The Medical Defense): I assert a defense based on the client's genuine medical history. I introduce evidence, often through medical experts, demonstrating the client suffered from pain, addiction, or a legitimate condition that negates the necessary criminal intent to defraud. I argue that the client’s actions were driven by a desperate need for medication, not a criminal enterprise.
• Attacking Forgery Claims: For cases involving altered prescriptions, I challenge the chain of evidence and introduce forensic document analysis to prove the client was not the person who made the alteration.
• Illegal Search and Seizure: I meticulously review how all evidence—including text messages, search histories, and physical documentation—was obtained. Any violation of your Fourth Amendment rights is grounds for suppressing key evidence, often leading to a dismissal of the prescription fraud charges.
• Bilingual Defense: My firm offers bilingual services in English and Spanish, ensuring that our defense strategy is fully understood, and no nuance is lost due to language barriers, providing a comprehensive defense for the entire Corpus Christi community.