Federal Law forbids the purchase of controlled substances like Vicodin, OxyContin, Xanax, Valium, phendimetrazine, phentermine, Ritalin, Adderall, Equipoise, Winstrol, among others. These drugs cannot be obtained without a prescription from a doctor. The doctor is also obligated to prescribe the medication responsibly to minimize the risk of addiction.
A prescription given by a cyber doctor is not legit under the Law, and using such a prescription could land both you and the doctor in trouble. The act is punishable under Law and could see you serve a jail sentence. It is important to note that most online prescriptions are for drugs imported into the country illegally. It is a felony to import medicines into the US.
Buying drugs online comes with many risks. The drugs could be expired or adulterated, the dosage recommended could be wrong, and more often than not, the drugs don’t come with directions for use.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is always on the watch to identify rogue pharmacists online and prosecute them accordingly.
What will happen if I get Caught Possessing Vicodin?
If you are caught in possession of Vicodin without a prescription, you could be detained and sentenced to jail. It’s worse when you’re found in possession of high quantities of the drug. The legal implications can be very stark and financially draining.
Vicodin is classified as a Schedule II controlled drug by the DEA. The classification means that the drug has a high propensity for addiction, abuse, and dependence. Because it is a controlled drug, possessing it without a prescription is illegal. Should death occur due to trafficked Schedule II substances, you could face a prison term of 20 years to life.
Crimes Linked with Vicodin
There are many crimes associated with Vicodin abuse. The first is the illegal possession of Vicodin. It would be best if you did not have Vicodin unless you have a prescription from a qualified doctor. An online prescription from ‘internet doctors’ is also not recognized under Law, and you will most likely get in trouble if you acquire Vicodin using such a prescription.
Another common crime among abusers of Vicodin is the illegal acquisition of Vicodin. More often than not, people struggling with Vicodin addiction will go to great lengths to acquire it, including buying in the black market. This is a serious crime that attracts a prison sentence and a hefty fine of up to 1 million dollars.
If you are caught with a large amount of Vicodin, that would suggest that you intend to distribute the Vicodin; the penalty for such an act could attract up to 20 years imprisonment and a 1 million dollar fine.
Should you cause an accident while under the influence of Vicodin, you risk facing a jail term, hefty fines, probation, or even getting your license revoked. The penalty could be worse if death or severe injury of another resulted from the accident.
Possession of Vicodin without a Prescription
Vicodin is a controlled substance, and there are stringent laws that govern what classifies legal or illegal use of Vicodin. It is a felony to be caught in possession of Vicodin without a valid prescription. Different states and localities have unique laws that stipulate the penalty for such an offense. Certain factors can help you ensure that you don’t get in trouble with the Law while in possession of Vicodin.
Prescription Bottles Guidelines
When you get a Vicodin prescription from your doctor, always ensure that the doctor’s name is indicated on the bottle. The pill bottle should also indicate the number of tablets in it and the prescription’s expiry date.
If you have a Vicodin prescribed bottle, you are legally bound to follow that prescription, and your pills shouldn’t run out before the prescription expiry date. It is also illegal to displace the prescription with other drugs or put the Vicodin in a different pill bottle.
However, some exceptions to the rule that stipulates your Vicodin should always be in the prescription bottle. For instance, if the medication was repacked for convenience, you might get away from using a bottle other than the prescription bottle.
It is important to note that different states have different laws when it comes to possession of Vicodin. It is essential to discuss the laws on possession of Vicodin in different States, especially if you will be traveling from State to State with your medication.
What happens when I’m caught with Someone Else’s Prescription?
If found in possession of someone else’s prescribed Vicodin, you can face serious consequences even if you are holding the prescription for a spouse or family member. As long as your name is not on the prescription bottle, you can be convicted.
The legal implication of such a crime differs from State to State. For instance, in California, when you’re caught in possession of someone else’s, this is considered a misdemeanor that could result in a one-year jail term or five years of probation.
Getting Arrested High on Vicodin
You can be arrested for being high on Vicodin wildly if you behave in a disorderly manner, involved in an accident, or posing a danger to others or yourself.
There are various tests used to determine if you are under the influence of Vicodin. They include blood, urine, hair, and saliva tests. Vicodin stays in the blood for up to a day, and tests conducted within 24 hours from your last consumption can confirm the presence of the drug. Vicodin lasts up to 90 days in the hair follicles and only a couple of hours in saliva.
When you test positive for Vicodin, you might be charged with a criminal offense if you do not have a valid prescription for the drug. You could also be charged if you have a prescription but are abusing it and consequently becoming high on the drug.
Possessing Vicodin illegally can attract a prison sentence. Understanding the legal implications in your State is imperative in ensuring that you don’t get into trouble with law enforcers.
