HS 11173: Fraud to Obtain Controlled Substances

Legal Definition: (a) No person shall obtain or attempt to obtain controlled substances, or procure or attempt to procure the administration of or prescription for controlled substances, (1) by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation , or subterfuge; or (2) by the concealment of a material fact…

To be found guilty under HS 11173 the prosecution must prove:

1. You obtain a controlled substance through a prescription, and you had obtained it through either;

2. Fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation;

OR

3. Concealment of a material fact.

What does this mean?

To commit an act by a fraud means to knowingly misrepresent the truth, or by concealing a material fact in order to get another party to act in a way that can harm themselves. In essence, this means to lie, in order to obtain a controlled substance or to obtain more of a controlled substance than a doctor properly and legally prescribes to you.

This section can be violated by a patient in a few different ways as broken down above. An example of this may be that you are having issues with your back, and unable to walk, so your Doctor proscribes you with Vicodin. This helps the pain, but you don’t feel like you had received enough of it to get you by. So you take the prescription you receive, and you modify the number to something different to give yourself more of the controlled substance than originally prescribed. You do not ask your doctor or obtain their consent to make these changes to the prescription that was written for you. This would lead to an arrest under this section.

Another way you can be charged here is if you were to steal your doctor’s prescription pad, therefore writing numerous fake prescriptions that you sign for your doctor that are either for yourself or someone else. If you are doing this to obtain a controlled substance, then you would be committing fraud and would be arrested and charge for this violation. You can also steal the doctor’s prescription pad through illegal software to mimic that of a doctor’s pad. This, in the same sense, is the same kind of fraud to obtain a controlled substance in violation under this section.

A controlled substance here can be Vicodin, Oxycodone, Xanax, and Valium, among other scheduled drugs.

Penalties

A charge under HS 11173 is a wobbler offense, meaning you can be charged with this section as a misdemeanor as a felony offense, depending on your prior criminal history and the specific facts of your case, the amount of times this has occurred, the amount of drug prescribed, and for how long this fraud took place. If you are convicted of this charge as a misdemeanor, you could be sentenced to upwards of one year in County Jail. You would also be subject to a fine of up to $1,000. If you are convicted of this charge as a felony offense, you could be sentenced to State Prison for upwards of 16 months, 2 or three years. You would also be subject to paying a fine upwards of $20,000. You would be required to serve at least 50% of that time in custody.

This is not a strike offense under the California Three Strikes law, and it is not a Sex Offense under PC 290. You would likely lose if you have, or never be able to gain a Professional License if convicted, as it involves a crime of deceit to obtain narcotics. If you are not a legal resident, you would face Deportation in Immigration Court since the offense is deportable, in that it is a crime involving drug use and lying/fraud, which is a crime of moral turpitude.

Common Defenses

1. Statute of Limitations
2. Violation of Rights
3. Insufficient Evidence
4. Entrapment
5. Coerced Confessions

Entrapment occurs when police, or their agents, encourage or promote the crime by way of their overbearing conduct. The idea has to be formed in the mind of the police, and not on the Defendant, in order to successfully use this defense. This can happen if a police officer, undercover as a doctor or a friend, induces a person to commit this crime. That undercover police officer can essentially lure a person who was not otherwise intending to commit the crime of obtaining controlled substances by fraud to actually commit that crime. So long as the idea is formed not in the accused, but the officer, and that their overbearing conduct forced the accused person to obtain the controlled substance via a fraud, then it can act as a defense in your case proving you lack the necessary criminal intent to commit this crime.

Another defense can exist if the police force or coerce you to admit to a crime you did not actually commit. This generally requires the police to commit some kind of overbearing conduct in an interview with you that forces you to say whatever it is the police are forcing you to say, in order to end the interrogation. Many times police can use threats, but at times those threats can be too much, to force an otherwise innocent person to admit fault for a crime they did not do. Police could threaten you by saying you won’t see your kids again unless you admit the crime, or that if you admit you won’t be charged or that you’ll never go home if you don’t admit. This kind of police activity can generally force any reasonable person to admit to a crime they did not do, simply to end the questioning and just so you can go home. If found to have occurred, a Judge can throw out your entire case, or they can exclude your coerced confession from being brought against you at your Jury Trial.

Call Today

A conviction under HS 11173 is more than just a mark on your record—it’s a pivotal moment that can drastically alter the trajectory of your life. Transitioning from a clean criminal history to facing potential prison time is a daunting prospect. Beyond the immediate legal repercussions, such a conviction carries with it the loss of professional licenses, thereby threatening your future career and professional endeavors.

At Inland Empire Defense, our Ontario-based HS 11173 attorney specializes in defending individuals accused of drug and prescription fraud crimes. Our firm has a storied history of successfully navigating the complexities of these cases, securing favorable outcomes for our clients and safeguarding their futures.

Why Inland Empire Defense for HS 11173 Charges?

• Specialized Legal Expertise: Our focused experience in drug and prescription fraud crimes under HS 11173 means your defense benefits from deep legal knowledge and a tailored approach designed to challenge the prosecution’s case effectively.
• Proven Defense Strategies: With numerous successful defenses against HS 11173 charges, our firm brings proven strategies to your case, aiming to mitigate the charges and their impact on your life and professional license.
• Committed to Your Future: Understanding the profound implications of a conviction, we’re dedicated to providing robust legal representation, ensuring we explore every avenue to protect your career path and professional aspirations.

Launch Your Defense with Confidence

The stakes involved with HS 11173 charges necessitate immediate and strategic legal action. Inland Empire Defense, located in Ontario, CA, stands ready to offer the experienced and specialized legal support necessary to confront these allegations head-on.

Contact Inland Empire Defense Today

Facing charges for drug and prescription fraud under HS 11173? Don’t navigate this challenging legal landscape without expert legal guidance. Contact Inland Empire Defense at 909-939-7126 to secure a defense team that is not only knowledgeable but also steadfast in its dedication to protecting your rights and future. Our Ontario-based office is ideally positioned to provide you with the comprehensive legal counsel and advocacy you need during this pivotal time.