The
Maximum Penalty for “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence”
in Melbourne –
How Serious is This Offence?
A person found guilty of “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence” may receive a maximum penalty of 1 year of imprisonment or a fine of 20 penalty units. This penalty is however not given by Courts for every related conviction. Like other offences, maximum penalties are only imposed for extreme cases of offending. “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence” is a moderate form of criminal behavior and any related case is summarily heard before a Magistrate in the Magistrates' Court.
The legislation on “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence”
Section 77 of Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 is the relevant law for “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence” and is as follows:
Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence
A person shall not forge or attempt to forge or fraudulently alter or attempt to fraudulently alter or utter or attempt to utter knowing it to be forged or fraudulently altered a prescription or order for a drug of dependence.
Penalty: 20 penalty units or level 8 imprisonment (1 year maximum) or both.
Pleading guilty or not guilty to “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence” in a Melbourne Court
Only a criminal defence solicitor can properly evaluate a case of “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence”. Whether you should plead guilty or not guilty entirely depends on the circumstances of your case. Check with a criminal solicitor to make sure that you get the best possible results in Court.
Elements of the charge of “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence” in a Melbourne Court
For this charge to be proven in Court, the Prosecution must show that the defendant forged or attempted to forge a prescription, or presented a forged prescription, for the purpose of obtaining a drug of dependence.
Defending the charge of “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence” in a Melbourne Court
Defences that are often run for this charge are lack of intent, honest and reasonable mistake of belief, factual errors, identification dispute, and mental impairment. It is up to the criminal lawyer to use what defences may be applicable depending on the circumstances of the offending.
For more information on “Forging Prescriptions and Orders for Drugs of Dependence”, you may visit the Doogue O’Brien George Melbourne Criminal Lawyers site (here).
Doogue O’Brien George Melbourne can provide you more details about this
Our Melbourne CBD Office is at 5/221 Queen Street, Melbourne
Phone (03) 9670 5111 (24 hrs if you are in a Police Station)
This article was written on Sep.9, 2013 and relates to the law that stands at this time.
