Recently, you had an encounter with Florida law enforcement. You had prescription drugs on you, but they were yours. You take the medication for health reasons, not recreational, so could any charge you face still stand?
The Recovery Village explores what happens when police find a prescription bottle filled with pills on a person. Understand your rights in the matter so you can better protect those rights.
You do not have a prescription for your medication
Say that law enforcement found your medication on your person, but you did not have the prescription with you. Police may view this as unlawful possession of a controlled substance, which could be a felony or misdemeanor. Even if you carry your prescription in your wallet or pocket, you must have the amount of medication that your prescription allows. That means that if you take a medication in tablet form but police find you with extended-release capsules of the same medication without a proper extended-release prescription, you could be in unlawful possession of that prescription.
You did not store your medication in the proper bottle
You may face charges for not properly storing your medication in its original bottle. Carrying your prescription meds in a toiletry kit, bag, pocket or non-medical storage device may violate the law. Specifically, carrying drugs such as Codeine, Xanax and Ambien outside of their original container could result in jail time, misdemeanor charges and a fine. If this was the reason for your arrest, consult with your doctor or pharmacist about building a solid defense against your charges.
Understand the laws surrounding taking medication with you outside your home without a prescription bottle. The right medical and legal professionals could help get you out of trouble.
