Skilled Camden County Defense Attorney Protects Rights Of Nurses And Medical Professionals Facing Criminal Charges
Nurses and medical professionals are tasked with taking care of us when we are at our most vulnerable. Because they have such a position of importance and trust, when these professionals commit crimes in the course of their duties, such offenses are considered especially serious and can carry severe consequences for a conviction.
If you are a medical or nursing professional who is facing criminal charges arising from your work, you need a defense attorney with the experience and skills to effectively fight on your behalf. I am Camden County defense attorney Stephen R. Piper. I have the knowledge and experience necessary to thoroughly and vigorously pursue the defense of your case. At my firm, The Law Offices of Stephen R. Piper, LLC, I can challenge key pieces of the state’s evidence when possible and put the prosecutor’s theory to the test, requiring them to truly prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. At the end of the day, I will fight to ensure that your rights are protected and preserved.
Common Criminal Charges Asserted Against Nurses And Medical Professionals
As a nurse or a medical professional, it is possible to be accused of one of many different kinds of criminal offenses as a result of your work. These offenses may range from drug-related offenses to white collar-type offenses and even violent crimes. Some of the criminal charges that may be asserted against nurses or medical professionals include:
- Theft, including theft from a hospital, medical office or from a patient
- Medicare/Medicaid fraud or health insurance fraud, including mislabeling a procedure to obtain greater reimbursement or claiming reimbursement for services that weren’t performed
- Drug possession charges arising from a professional’s possession of prescription medication for their own use
- Prescription drug fraud arising from a professional’s improper prescription or distribution of prescription medications to other persons
- Criminal negligence, when a professional’s treatment of a patient is alleged to have involved a conscious disregard of a substantial risk of injury or death
- Assault of a patient
- Homicide of a patient
Many of the potential criminal charges that a medical professional may face arising from their work are serious charges. Conviction on these charges can lead to massive criminal fines and sentences of incarceration that can last a year. In addition, nurses and medical professionals convicted of criminal offenses face collateral consequences, most immediate of which is usually the suspension or revocation of their professional licenses. Finally, a criminal conviction can have other long-lasting consequences, including causing difficulties in obtaining future employment, education, credit or other financial services, or housing. As a result, when a nurse or medical professional is facing criminal charges, it is important that are represented by an experienced, dedicated criminal defense attorney.
Helping Nurses And Medical Professionals Face Criminal Charges
When you are charged with crimes arising from your work as a nurse or medical professional, it can seem as though the whole world is crashing down upon you. It can feel like no one is on your side and no one is going to believe you if you try to defend yourself.
But if you are a nurse or medical professional facing criminal charges in Camden County, I am prepared to fight on your behalf. I firmly believe in every person’s constitutional rights to a fair trial and effective legal defense. As a result, I will work tirelessly to ensure that your rights are adequately protected and asserted so that you receive a fair trial under the law.
As a former prosecutor, I know how the state prepares and prosecutes criminal cases. With experience in the strategies that criminal prosecutors use, I will strive to ensure that you receive an effective, quality defense. In providing compassionate legal representation, I will be at your side through every step of the criminal justice process.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
If you are a nurse or medical professional facing criminal charges in Camden County or elsewhere in southern New Jersey as a result of your job or work, you need a dedicated defense attorney who will fight to preserve your rights and your freedom. Contact The Law Offices of Stephen R. Piper online today by calling 856-333-3586 to schedule a consultation to learn more about your rights and options in facing your criminal charges and how having an experienced attorney on your side can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurses And Medical Professionals Facing Criminal Charges
Is there a difference between negligence in a criminal case and negligence in a civil case?
Yes. Negligence under criminal law is generally considered more severe than negligence in a civil case. In the civil law context, negligence typically refers to the failure to exercise ordinary care. This is usually defined as failing to do what a reasonable person would do under the same or similar circumstances. Conversely, criminal negligence occurs only when a person acts in conscious disregard of a substantial or unjustifiable risk. As opposed to a deviation from ordinary care in civil law, criminal negligence must be a gross deviation from the standard of care. As a result, it is much harder to prove negligence in the criminal context than it is in the civil context.
Should I have an attorney if the prosecutor wants to offer me a plea agreement?
You should always have an attorney review the terms of any plea agreement offered to you. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney can ensure that you understand the requirements and consequences of any plea agreement so that you are able to make an informed and conscious decision regarding whether to accept the agreement. An attorney can also review the facts and circumstances of your case to identify any potential viable legal defense you may have, which may convince you to decide to fight your case at trial rather than simply accept a plea deal.