Opioid addiction is a national epidemic. It spans the entire country, and Chicago is no exception. Individuals who are caught trafficking illegally obtained prescription drugs may be subject to state or federal prosecution. Doctors who distribute narcotics outside the scope of their normal, reasonable medical practice may be subject to prosecution for federal drug crimes as well. It is a federal felony to knowingly and intentionally hand out opioid prescriptions when it is not for a legitimate medical purpose. While a large number of known “pill mills” were taken down years ago when the opioid epidemic first became a known problem, there are still doctors who attempt to discreetly continue prescribing opioids to individuals they know are likely to resell or abuse them. 

That said, it can be difficult for federal investigators to fully determine whether or not a prescription for narcotics is based on a patient’s genuine need for relief from legitimate pain. If you are a doctor and believe that you may be under scrutiny for prescribing narcotics, it is important that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. 

What “Red Flags” Can Make the DEA Suspicious of a Doctor Who Prescribes Narcotics?

When a doctor routinely prescribes opioid pain medicine, there are certain signs that may invite suspicion from the DEA. However, it can be difficult for someone who is not a doctor to determine whether a certain patient or group of patients legitimately needs these medications. The presence of one or more signs could lead to an investigation, during which you will absolutely want to be represented by an attorney. Signs that may make the DEA suspect prescription drug fraud include: 

When you are convicted of a federal crime, the next step is sentencing. In sentencing, the judge will decide what the appropriate legal punishment for your offense is. This may include fines, jail time, or a term of probation. You may think that once the sentence imposed by the court is over with, you will be free to move on with your life as it was before. Unfortunately, a return to normalcy is unlikely for most defendants due to what is known as “collateral consequences.” Collateral consequences are any consequences of a conviction not imposed by the court. They are very real and may change the course of your life forever. In some cases, you may experience collateral consequences even if you are not convicted. Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney may give you the best odds of avoiding or minimizing collateral consequences. 

4 Collateral Consequences of a Federal Conviction You Could Face

In a more ideal justice system, serving your sentence would be the end of the matter after a conviction. In reality, it almost never works out that way. The more things have been going well for you, the more you stand to lose. Collateral consequences may include: 

• Job loss - Companies routinely fire employees who have been convicted of a crime. You may lose any professional licenses you hold. It can be exceptionally difficult for felons to find a job that is anything close to what they had before their conviction. 

• Social problems - You may find that people you considered friends are no longer interested in associating with you. Your neighbors may make you feel unwelcome. You may become a target for gossip or even harassment, depending on the nature of your offense. 

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Money laundering is, simply put, the illegal act of making “dirty” money appear “clean.” Generally, this involves making illegally-obtained money, such as profits from selling illicit drugs, look like it came from a legitimate source. Money laundering schemes are growing increasingly sophisticated and hard to detect. With the rise of online and international trade, it is easier than ever for unscrupulous actors to filter dirty money through legitimate businesses. If you own a business, it is important that you keep an eye out for any signs that someone is using your company to launder their illicit funds. Even if you are doing everything in your power to run your business in a legal and ethical manner, all it takes is one criminal to take advantage of you and you could find yourself facing federal charges. If you suspect that your business is being used for money laundering, do not wait to hear from the FBI - call an attorney immediately and follow their advice.

What Are Some Clues That Someone is Laundering Money Through My Company?

The key is to watch for patterns over time. While the presence of one of these signs from time to time could be perfectly innocent, if you start noticing more than one sign or a repetitive pattern of activity, it might be time to talk to a lawyer. Red flags may include: 

• Overpricing - Look out for instances where it appears that a customer paid way too much for a single item. This is very common for those who run online stores that sell physical items, like jewelry or art. If it suddenly appears that some of your goods are fetching prices far over market value, it could be a sign of money laundering. 

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The term “white collar crime” started gaining popularity in the 1930s. Crimes involving fraud for financial gain are often referred to as white collar crimes because these offenses are often committed by business professionals. Unlike violent offenses, the motivation behind white collar crimes like wire fraud and identity theft is typically financial in nature. Many white collar crimes are prosecuted by the federal government. A conviction for a federal white collar crime can lead to serious criminal consequences, including substantial prison time.

If you or a loved one were charged with a federal offense involving fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, money laundering, or conspiracy, contact a federal crimes defense lawyer for help right away. Your attorney can evaluate your case and determine the best defense strategy moving forward.

How to Defend Yourself Against White Collar Criminal Offenses

Whatever the nature of an offense, the first defense strategy is the same: Assert your right to remain silent. A shocking number of educated professionals end up incriminating themselves because they speak to police without their attorneys present. If you are arrested for a white collar offense, do not let police interrogate you. Ask for your lawyer and then say nothing.

Drug laws have changed dramatically throughout the last few decades. More and more states have legalized medicinal and recreational marijuana. Some states are even legalizing psilocybin mushrooms. However, there are still multiple state and federal laws regulating drug possession, manufacture, and sale. Violating federal drug laws can lead to significant criminal penalties, including years behind bars.

Moving Drugs Across State Lines Can Lead to Federal Charges

Drug crimes vary dramatically in terms of punishments and prison sentences. The amount of the substance and the type of substance determine the severity of drug possession charges. Manufacturing or cultivating drugs is usually penalized more harshly than simple possession. Transporting drugs may also be punished severely, especially if drugs are transported across state lines.

Many people do not realize the significance of their actions when they transport drugs across state lines. This is especially true of substances like cannabis which may be purchased legally in some states. However, even if you purchase cannabis legally in a state like Illinois which has legalized the recreational use of cannabis, you cannot take the drug out of the state. Remember, marijuana is still considered an illegal substance under federal law. Furthermore, it is classified as a Schedule I drug, which means that the penalties associated with a cannabis-related federal drug crime are high.