Criminal Charges Against Nurses

Boston Lawyers Defending Nurses Facing Criminal Charges

Nurses provide invaluable services to patients in a variety of healthcare settings. The nursing profession can be extremely stressful, though, and the pressures of the job can sometimes lead to criminal charges against nurses that threaten their livelihood and freedom. With the assistance of a skilled attorney, though, they can often achieve favorable results. If you are a nurse accused of diverting drugs or committing another criminal offense, it is critical that you speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The capable Boston criminal defense attorneys at Koufman Law Group understand the unique pressures nurses face, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly to help you fight to protect your right. We have an office in Boston, and we defend nurses charged with crimes in Boston and throughout Massachusetts.

Understanding Criminal Charges Against Nurses

Nurses can face a number of criminal charges, each with its own set of elements and potential consequences. Fraudulently obtaining possession of a controlled substance is one common charge nurses face. To secure a conviction for this offense, the prosecution must prove that the defendant knowingly and willfully obtained a drug through fraudulent means, such as forgery. This requires proof the nurse knowingly deceived to possess controlled substances without proper authorization.

Another serious crime nurses are often charged with is breaking and entering at night to commit a felony. Thus, in order to establish guilt for this offense, which is also known as burglary, prosecutors must establish that the defendant entered the premises without permission and had the intent to commit a felony once inside instead of entering it for a lawful purpose. Nurses are frequently charged with this offense if it is believed they intended to divert drugs after entering a property.

Nurses also frequently face theft charges, such as larceny from a building and theft of controlled substances. Convicting a nurse for larceny from a building requires prosecutors to demonstrate that the nurse wrongfully took someone else’s property from inside a building without permission and intended to withhold the property from the rightful owner. This offense can range from a misdemeanor to a felony based on the value of the stolen items.

Theft of controlled substance charges arise when a nurse is accused of taking prescription medication or controlled substances without permission, with the intent to keep them. It is a particularly serious charge that falls under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court, and it is crucial for a nurse facing such charges to be represented by an attorney with a significant practice in the Superior Court and a deep understanding of the legal challenges and complexities associated with such offenses. Our firm has extensive experience handling cases before the Superior Court judges and negotiating with Superior Court prosecutors, and we have a record of achieving positive outcomes for clients in Superior Court drug cases.

Potential Defenses to Criminal Charges Against Nurses

Nurses faced with criminal charges should explore what defenses they may be able to set forth to protect their rights and professional standing. Such defenses may include a lack of intent, which can involve demonstrating that the nurse possesses the required mental state needed to commit the alleged crime. Mistaken identity can also be a valid defense when there is doubt about the identity of the person responsible for the alleged offense. Nurses may also be able to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and argue that it does not meet the burden of proof required for a conviction.

Additionally, nurses, like all individuals facing criminal charges, have constitutional rights that must be safeguarded throughout the legal process. These rights include the right against self-incrimination, the right to an attorney, the right to due process, and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment. If any of these rights are violated during the process of investigating or prosecuting the crime, there may be grounds for barring the prosecution from using illegally obtained evidence against the nurse or dismissing the charges against them in their entirety.

Talk to an Assertive Boston Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal charges against nurses can cause anxiety and frustration, but many nurses accused of crimes are able to maintain their rights and protect their reputations. If you are a nurse faced with criminal charges, it is smart to talk to an attorney about your case. The assertive Boston criminal defense lawyers of Koufman Law Group dedicate their practice to protecting the rights and freedom of people facing criminal prosecution in the Massachusetts courts, and if we represent you, we will work diligently to help you seek the results you deserve. Our office is in Boston, and we often defend nurses charged with crimes in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. You can reach us to set up a confidential consultation through our form online or by calling us at 617-423-2212.