Friends-
The reading of the Declaration means different things to different people. I can only tell you what it means to me.
For me, When we read the Declaration of Independence, we declare that we continue to stand united against …
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The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) governs the manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of controlled substances in the United States. The CSA sets forth which drugs and other substances are defined by law as “controlled substances” and assigns those controlled substances to one of five schedules (Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V) depending on their potential for abuse, the likelihood of physical or psychological dependency, accepted medical use and accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
A controlled substance assigned to Schedule II means that the drug has a high potential for abuse, the drug has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.
Hydrocodone is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Hydrocodone is sometimes prescribed under brand names, including Norco, Lortab, and Vicodin. It is used to treat severe pain and as with other opioids, it is highly addictive.
Chapter 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations governs the issuance of prescriptions. It provides, among other things, that a prescription for a controlled substance “must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by an individual practitioner acting in the usual course of his professional practice.”
A “Pill Mill” is a fake medical clinic or front. It is set up to issue prescriptions for painkillers, like Vicodin, illegally. The federal government actively investigates suspected pill mills. It is not unusual for the federal government to indict and prosecute individuals allegedly involved in pill mill clinics. I have defended many clients charged in federal court with operating pill mills.
Anyone who knowingly aids a pill mill in illegally distributing controlled substances is subject to federal criminal prosecution. Individuals who conspire to operate a pill mill clinic are typically charged with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Distribute and Dispense Controlled Substances under 21 U.S.C. Section 846. The penalties for being involved with a pill mill can be very severe.
A person might be charged with conspiring to operate a pill mill clinic in several ways. For example:
Every client should have the facts of his case carefully analyzed. There are defenses to Pill Mill cases. For example, a person may work at a pill mill, believing that the pill mill is a legitimate medical clinic. Most pill mills look like legitimate clinics; some employees may work at such a place without knowingly joining a conspiracy. This defense may apply to different people who work in a clinic.
The law does allow for legitimate pain management clinics. There are requirements that must be met to operate a legitimate pain management clinic. Employees may believe they are working at a legitimate pain management clinic. Each client’s circumstance must be carefully studied to determine how best to defend a client charged with operating a pill mill.
All Federal Drug Conspiracy charges are serious. In Federal Court, the Government works hard to put cases together. The Defense, therefore, must work very hard to fight the Government. I have fought for clients in Federal Court for many years. I have won Federal Drug Conspiracy Cases. If you want me to fight for you, call me at 713-655-7400.
Friends-
The reading of the Declaration means different things to different people. I can only tell you what it means to me.
For me, When we read the Declaration of Independence, we declare that we continue to stand united against …
Fifteen years ago, I organized a group of fellow Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) members, and we defiantly read the Declaration of Independence at the courthouse. We sought no permission. We stood with our backs to the courthouse. We …
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According to today’s Houston Chronicle, a man from Milwaukee spent 47 days in jail because of a case of mistaken identity. To be fair, the mistaken identity issue is hard to follow. Still, our criminal justice system failed …