Washington law makes it a crime for you to affix a false label to a receptacle containing a controlled substance. The offense is a serious felony that can result in a state prison term of up to two years. Please contact a skilled criminal defense attorney now if you or a loved one is facing a prescription fraud charge.
What is the Crime of Affixing a False Label to a Controlled Substance?
RCW 69.50.403(1)(i) is the Washington statute that sets forth the details on this offense. Per this law, you commit a crime if you affix any false or forged label to a package or receptacle containing a controlled substance.
For the purpose of this statute, a “controlled substance” is a drug or chemical that is regulated by the U.S. under the Controlled Substances Act.
Examples of a controlled substance include:
- Cocaine,
- Heroin,
- Codeine,
- Fentanyl,
- Hydrocodone,
- Amphetamine, and
- Methamphetamine.
What are the Penalties?
A violation of RCW 69.50.403(1)(i) is a Class C felony under Washington law. The crime is punishable by:
- Imprisonment in state prison for up to two years, and/or
- A maximum fine of $2,000.
Can a Defendant Raise a Legal Defense?
Yes. You can challenge a RCW 69.50.403(1)(i) charge with a legal defense. A common defense is for you to attempt to show that the police violated one of your constitutional rights. For example, maybe the authorities:
- Coerced a confession,
- Arrested you without probable cause, or
- Conducted an unlawful search and seizure.
If the police did any of the above, you could try and get any charges reduced or dropped altogether.
Entrapment is another common defense in these cases, and it’s often raised when an accused is charged following an undercover police sting. The defense says that you only committed a crime because a police officer lured you into doing so. It’s an acceptable defense provided that you show that you only committed the crime because of the entrapment.
Contact Black & Askerov for Help
While a defendant can raise a legal defense to challenge a prescription fraud charge, it will take a skilled criminal defense attorney to raise the best defense. The experienced fraud attorneys at Black & Askerov have over 30 years of combined experience defending clients in these types of cases. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers also have the skill and commitment that makes all the difference. They will fight tooth and nail for you at every step of your case. Contact us now to get the legal help you deserve!
