California Criminal Defense Blog

The reputation of the LAPD’s Ramparts Area Station just took another hit. A 22-year veteran of the force, assigned to Ramparts, has been arrested on suspicion of engaging in the illegal practice of “doctor shopping.”

One of a number of California drug-related offenses, doctor shopping is made illegal by Health & Safety Code Section 11173(a).

Doctor shopping refers to practice of fraudulently obtaining prescription pills from a number of different providers without the providers knowing about the other prescriptions.

Doctor shopping in California is a “wobbler” offense, which means it can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Felony doctor shopping can result in up to three years in California state prison.

Late last week, a Vermont woman was charged with what police and prosecutors call “doctor shopping”. This phenomenon…actually referred to as prescription fraud…is on the rise across the country.

In fact, California has its fair share of cases, especially since Los Angeles is home to so many celebrities and other affluent people who suffer from drug addiction. This state’s “doctor shopping” laws are addressed under California Health and Safety Codes 11153 and 11173 HS.

Under these laws, a patient is guilty of “doctor shopping” or prescription fraud when he seeks the same prescription(s) from multiple doctors and/or pharmacies without telling the physicians or pharmacies about the others.

California Health and Safety Code 11173 HS punishes patients who pursue these prescriptions. Health and Safety Code 11153 HS punishes doctors who issue illegitimate prescriptions. And because this state is tough on the “war against drugs”, both of these California drug offenses subject the offender to up to three years in the state prison.