Physicians and other medical professionals hold positions of immense trust. When the law is broken, even unintentionally, that trust can quickly become a legal liability. Criminal charges against doctors are on the rise in the United States, and the consequences can be devastating: prison time, license suspension, and irreversible harm to a hard-earned reputation.

At Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, our Milwaukee, WI criminal defense attorneys represent medical professionals throughout Wisconsin who have been accused of many types of crimes. We understand the unique pressures doctors face and how legal issues intersect with clinical practice. Below are five of the most common reasons doctors are criminally indicted and what can be done to fight back.

Prescription Fraud and Drug Offenses

Federal and state authorities aggressively pursue cases involving the illegal prescribing or distribution of controlled substances. Doctors may be charged under statutes such as the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) or state-level drug laws for writing prescriptions that are deemed medically unnecessary, especially for opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants.