Withhold Information from a Practitioner in Florida

Tampa Attorney on Florida's Doctor Shopping Laws

At the Sammis Law Firm our attorneys are experienced in fighting drug charges including trafficking in prescription medication and doctor shopping. Call a Tampa drug crimes attorney for any case involving "withholding information from a practitioner" or "doctor shopping" today at 813-250-0500. When you can you will be able to speak directly with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about the particular facts and circumstances of your case throughout the Tampa Bay area of central Florida.

Florida's Statutory scheme for dealing with prescription drug abuse includes prosecutions under Florida Statute Section 893.13(7)(a)8-9 for Withholding Information From a Practitioner (also known as "doctor shopping"). As pain management medical clinics pop up throughout the State of Florida, more and more individuals are receiving addictive medication without receiving any treatment for their underlying medical condition. Even worse, law enforcement officers are investigating innocent patients for simply receiving treatment legally prescribed by a licensed medical professional.

Typical investigations in Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, involve an individual that visits several doctors in order to obtain multiple prescriptions for painkillers within a short period of time. Two of the most commonly abused prescription painkillers are Hydrocondone and Oxycodone, which are often the most commonly obtained prescription drugs in "doctor shopping" schemes. The doctor shopping scheme occurs when the individual sees a doctor for the purpose of obtaining does not disclose to one doctor that he or she already has multiple other prescriptions filled from another doctor. Florida's "doctor shopping" is a third degree felony punishable by up to five (5) years in Florida State Prison and a $5,000.00 fine.

In many cases the charge of "doctor shopping" also accompanies a more serious charge of trafficking prescription drugs based on the possession of the prescription medication. Even worse, individuals have even been charged with trafficking even in cases where the only proof that the individual possessed the trafficking amount of pills can be shown through circumstantial evidence that the individual filled the prescription.

If you have been charged with prescription drug trafficking or "doctor shopping" (withhold information from a practitioner) in the greater Tampa Bay area, including Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Hernando County, Polk County, Pinellas County, or Manatee County, contact a Tampa Drug Crimes Lawyer at the Sammis Law Firm. Call 813-250-0500 to discuss the facts of your case today.

Florida Statute Section 893.13(7)(a), provides that it is unlawful for any person:

8. To withhold information from a practitioner from whom the person seeks to obtain a controlled substance or a prescription for a controlled substance that the person making the request has received a controlled substance or a prescription for a controlled substance of like therapeutic use from another practitioner within the previous 30 days.

9. To acquire or obtain, or attempt to acquire or obtain, possession of a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery, deception, or subterfuge.