Healthcare professionals deal with prescription medications on a daily basis, including opioids and other narcotics. A criminal charge can have life-altering consequences for a healthcare professional. If you’ve been charged with drug distribution, you need experienced legal counsel to handle your criminal case.
Attorney Jennifer Horwitz is a seasoned healthcare provider criminal defense attorney in Seattle, Washington. For more than 30 years, she has fought for the rights of individuals accused of committing crimes. Forbes named her as one of Seattle’s best lawyers, and Super Lawyers included her as one of the Top Women Attorneys of 2024. You can trust you are receiving skilled legal advice and personalized representation when you hire Jennifer Horwitz Law to handle your criminal case.
Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced Seattle drug distribution defense lawyer.
How Jennifer Horwitz Law Can Help Healthcare Professionals with Drug Distribution Charges in Washington State
As a graduate of Harvard Law School with decades of experience in criminal law, Attorney Jennifer Horwitz is a trusted advocate for healthcare professionals facing criminal charges. She has extensive experience defending healthcare professionals against a variety of criminal charges. With a proven track record of achieving favorable outcomes, Attorney Jennifer Horwitz is well-respected within the legal community.
When you hire our top-rated Seattle criminal defense attorney, you can trust she will handle all matters related to your charges, including:
- Providing personal representation by Attorney Jennifer Horwitz during every phase of your case
- Investigating the drug distribution charges, including analyzing the evidence the state has against you
- Assessing the potential outcomes to develop the best legal strategy for responding to the criminal charges
- Explaining your legal defenses and discussing whether proceeding to trial or accepting a fair plea agreement is in your best interest
- Negotiating with the prosecution to develop fair terms for a plea deal
- Aggressively represent you during court appearances, including taking your case to trial if that is in your best interest
Jennifer Horwitz Law has a perfect 10.0 rating with Avvo. The company also recognized Attorney Jennifer Horwitz as an Avvo Top Rated Lawyer in Washington for multiple years, and she won the Clients’ Choice Award from Avvo in 2019. Expertise.com named her among the Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Seattle in 2022.
Contact Jennifer Horwitz Law today to request a confidential consultation with a Seattle drug distribution attorney.
Drug Distribution Charges Against Healthcare Professionals in Seattle, WA
A healthcare professional may be placed in a position where they are accused of wrongdoing involving drugs. Drug diversion charges, including drug distribution, may be brought by the state under RCW Chapter 69.50. Healthcare professionals may also face federal drug distribution charges under 21 USC §841(a). Drug diversion is the misappropriation of a controlled substance.
In addition to drug distribution charges, healthcare professionals may also be charged with other crimes related to drug diversion, including:
- Drug possession
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Health care fraud
- Patient endangerment
- Identity theft
- Falsifying business records and other fraud
- Unlawfully obtaining controlled substances
Charges for drug distribution can result in numerous criminal penalties and collateral consequences. Healthcare professionals convicted of drug distribution could face:
- Lengthy prison sentences
- Fines and other monetary penalties
- Revoked or suspended professional license
- Loss of DEA registration
- Conspiracy charges
- Health care fraud assessments
- Long-lasting personal and professional reputation damage
Anyone in the healthcare profession can be charged with drug distribution, including nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers with access to controlled substances.
What Causes a Healthcare Professional to Be Investigated for Drug Distribution in Seattle, WA?
Many things could lead to a healthcare professional being investigated for drug distribution. Situations that might lead to a drug diversion investigation include, but are not limited to:
- Reports of suspicious activity from co-workers
- Suspicious or irregular patterns of medication withdrawal from automated dispensing systems
- Discrepancies in medication administration records
- Writing numerous prescriptions for the maximum dosage of pain medications
- Complaints by patients of inadequate pain management
- Random audits of records for controlled substances
- Irregular waste documentation patterns
- Analysis of electronic health record access
Numerous state and federal agencies may be involved in a drug distribution investigation of a healthcare professional, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), state drug control agencies, licensing boards, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Justice.
What Should a Healthcare Professional Do if They Become Aware of a Drug Distribution Investigation?
From the moment you become aware that you are being investigated for drug diversion, time is a crucial factor. Contact an attorney immediately if:
- You receive notice of an investigation or a search warrant
- You receive a notice or communication from a licensing board
- Law enforcement agents question you about medication discrepancies
- You are contacted by a state or federal agency regarding any matters related to medications
- Your employer schedules a meeting related to medication procedures or other matters related to medication handling
While you want to remain professional, it is not in your best interest to speak with an investigator or meet with your employer without consulting with an attorney. Many healthcare professionals harm their defense by providing statements or answering questions without consulting a lawyer.
Your attorney will advise you if and when it is necessary to speak with investigators. What you can do is begin gathering information and documents for your attorney to review, including:
- All communications from employers, investigators, and licensing boards
- Personal practice notes
- Treatment documentation
- Your employment records
- Relevant procedures and policies for medications
- Medication administration records
- Information for potential witnesses
The sooner you hire an experienced Seattle drug diversion lawyer, the better for your defense. An attorney may be able to help you avoid formal charges or licensing actions by developing mitigation strategies.
Get Help with Drug Distribution Charges in Seattle, WA
Being arrested for drug distribution can be an overwhelming experience. You don’t have to fight the criminal charges alone. Contact Jennifer Horwitz Law to speak with an experienced Seattle drug distribution defense lawyer. We provide support, guidance, and legal counsel to help you resolve criminal matters in the most favorable manner possible.