Needing prescription medication is something that most people in Iowa and across the country will experience at some point in their lives. Whether they need anything ranging from a simple antibiotic to an opioid pain reliever, a valid prescription is necessary to obtain and use those medications.
If a person does not have a valid prescription or cannot prove that he or she has one, serious legal repercussions could result if approached by law enforcement. If authorities have recently taken you into custody on suspicion of prescription drug possession or distribution, you may undoubtedly feel worried about the predicament. What could it mean for you?
Unfortunately, if you have formal drug possession charges brought against you and face a conviction in court, you could face steep monetary penalties as well as time in jail. The exact outcomes can depend on a number of factors, including whether authorities suspect that you unlawfully acquired the prescription drugs, had them in your possession, or distributed or intended to distribute them. Other factors that may affect your case include the following:
The type of drug involved
The amount of the drug allegedly discovered
Whether you have a valid prescription but did not have proof at the time
Even if you have a prescription for a particular medication, if authorities suspect that you possess the drug in a different form than prescribed, such as having extended-release capsules in your possession though your doctor-prescribed tablets, you could still face criminal charges. If you have medication that a doctor previously prescribed but the prescription expired, legal issues could result, which is also the case if you have a valid prescription but do not have the prescription label on the bottle or other container.
When many people think of prescription drug possession charges, they may think of someone intentionally trying to thwart the law, but that is not always the case. An improperly repackaged prescription, missing label or other issue could just as easily lead to misdemeanor or even felony charges. Fortunately, even if this is your predicament, you are innocent until — and only if — considered guilty by a court of law. As a result, you may want to take the time to thoroughly assess the details of your arrest to understand the situation.
Operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) or under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited in Iowa. On suspicion of impaired or drunk driving, the police can stop your vehicle and ask you to take a field sobriety test, among other DUI tests. Understanding your rights with a field sobriety test is imperative to know what to do when pulled over for DUI and ensure that you do not implicate yourself inadvertently.
Most of us have seen police shows on TV where an officer informs someone in custody that they have a right to remain silent and be represented by an attorney during questioning. This statement, required by a 1966 U.S. Supreme Court decision, is known as your Miranda Rights.
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was enacted to protect citizens from any unlawful search and seizure by government authorities, including law enforcement officers. Unless under certain exceptions, it is illegal for a police officer to search a person's home, vehicle, or property without obtaining a valid search warrant or following the guidelines for conducting searches.
