In Milwaukee and elsewhere, drug charges can result in significant penalties that can affect a person’s life in the present and the future. A conviction on a drug charge could mean jail or prison time, fines and difficulties in seeking future employment. A Wisconsin anesthesiologist faces these possible consequences for allegedly possessing drugs.
Police say that the doctor obtained the drugs illegally. He faces drug possession and other criminal charges.
According to police, after an aggressive fight with his wife, the man threatened that he would take his life using drugs he obtained from his place of work, a local hospital. Police allege that the man was carrying double doses of drugs along with other medical supplies when they found him inside the hospital.
Penalties for drug possession offenses may be influenced by a defendant’s prior record and the amount and classification of the drug. A simple drug possession offense generally has a lighter penalty than a charge such as intent to distribute drugs.
A drug charge conviction carries serious penalties. A defendant facing drug charges should be fully aware of his or her rights and possible defenses that may apply to their case. Wisconsin residents who face drug charges would be wise to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. After reviewing the evidence in a case an attorney can determine the best course of action based on an individual’s specific situation.
As with all criminal charges, an individual remains innocent unless they are proven guilty in a court of law. People must remember that a drug charge is very different from a conviction.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Menomonee Falls anesthesiologist faces drug charges,” Bruce Vilemetti, Oct. 2, 2012