Becoming a licensed pharmacist takes effort—school, exams, and long hours on the job. An arrest can make it feel like all of that is on the line. But don't assume the worst. With the right support and strategy, you can address the situation and protect the career you've worked hard to build.
The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can help you protect your pharmacy license in Georgia. An arrest doesn't define you. We'll help you tell your story and fight to protect the license you've worked hard to earn. Call us at 888.535.3686 or fill out our confidential consultation form.
Who Regulates Pharmacists?
The Georgia Board of Pharmacyoversees pharmacists. Whether you're in Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, or anywhere else, your licensure rests in their hands. However, the Board of Pharmacy's focus is on public safety, not on defending your interests. Their role is to ensure you're not putting patients at risk. Trying to clarify the situation by chatting with them can backfire. That's why a wise pharmacist speaks with an attorney first.
Arrest Risks for Pharmacists in Georgia: What to Know
Like anyone else, pharmacists in Georgia can face legal challenges. Criminal charges may stem from conduct on the job, such as prescription-related issues, or from personal matters like DUI or domestic issues.
As the gatekeepers of powerful drugs, some pharmacists face challenges with substance abuse. About 10% to 15% of healthcare professionals will struggle with substance use at some point. Whether it's pills or a DUI, these problems can land a pharmacist in handcuffs fast. When addiction takes over, even trusted professionals cross lines—like swiping meds for personal use. It happens enough that there's a national group dedicated to helping pharmacists recover.—The Pharmacists Recovery Network.
Then there's healthcare fraud. From falsifying claims to billing for undispensed drugs, it can quickly escalate, especially when it involves major programs like Medicaid or Medicare.
Filling fake prescriptions or dispensing meds without approval can also land pharmacists in legal hot water—even if they're just trying to help a friend or someone without insurance. Prescription drug diversion is another big one: selling meds off the books, often under pressure or for a quick payout, can lead straight to criminal charges.
Not all arrests are about drugs. Charges like domestic abuse, fraud, or working under someone else's license can put a pharmacist in serious legal trouble. And though rare, there have been cases involving assault or sexual misconduct.
A criminal conviction, regardless of the nature of the offense, can endanger a pharmacist's license. In Georgia, one of the grounds for disciplining pharmacists is a felony conviction. If the act in question is a misdemeanor, it can also be grounds for discipline if it involves moral turpitude.
But hold up—you haven't been convicted, just arrested. So what does that actually mean for your license?
What an Arrest Could Mean for Your Pharmacy License
An arrest isn't a conviction. That matters—a lot. In Georgia, the Board doesn't necessarily need to hear from you the second you're cuffed. You've got rights, including the right to stay quiet and get legal help. Don't do anything until you've talked to a lawyer.
Arrests happen for all sorts of reasons—some flat-out wrong. Maybe it was a misunderstanding, a rough night, or just poor judgment. The charges might not even hold up in court—“beyond a reasonable doubt” is a tough bar to meet. Still, the impact hits fast: your boss hears about it and starts asking questions. Your career suddenly feels uncertain.
The legal system says you're innocent until proven guilty—but the Board of Pharmacy doesn't always wait for a conviction. If they think your case puts public safety at risk, they can launch an investigation or take action against your license fast.
And a finding of innocence in a criminal case does not mean that the Georgia Board of Pharmacy will reinstate a pharmacist's license or refrain from taking action. The “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard used in criminal trials does not apply to the Board's decision-making process, which means the Board can act based on a lower threshold of evidence. While an acquittal may help a pharmacist's case, the Board may still impose restrictions or require additional proof to ensure no risk to public safety.
How Can You Get Help After an Arrest?
Arrested? It's loud, fast, and chaotic. But here's the one thing you can control—your mouth. Don't talk. Don't explain. Don't defend. Just stay quiet. That silence could save your case.
After you're booked, it's a quick process—your info's taken, a mugshot snapped, and your fingerprints collected. Your belongings, including your phone, are secured. If bail isn't posted, you'll stay in jail until your first court appearance, usually within 24 hours.
The “one call” idea is just a TV trope. In reality, you can make more than one call after you've been booked, as long as you don't push your luck or abuse the system. So—get help.
And if your arrest involves substance abuse, taking immediate steps to address the issue is the way to go. Completing rehabilitation programs or seeking counseling shows the Board that you're committed to turning things around.
How Do Licensing Proceedings Work?
Here's how the process works in Georgia:
- The Board Decides to Take Action: The Board is alerted to the arrest and pending charges and decides to take action.
- You Find Out: You are notified and given a copy of the Board's concerns. Since you've already been arrested, you have a good idea of what these are.
- Your Response: You are asked to respond to the allegations. This is both similar to and completely different from your response in the criminal case. For one thing, you have no right to remain silent in a license investigation. In addition, the Board is limited to issues that affect your trustworthiness as a pharmacist and your moral character.
- The Investigation: Investigation can take time, especially if officials need records or other documents. In fact, it may well take longer than the criminal case.
- Details: During this time, you might be asked to provide more details about the arrest and the alleged crime. The Board will also look at the documents in the criminal case.
None of this is easy, and the path ahead may seem daunting, but remember, you don't have to walk it alone.
Your Rights
The complaint process gives you rights:
- Know the Accusations. It's a lot to take in, but knowing all the details is the key to taking control of the situation. How do the criminal charges intersect with the Board's rules?
- Defend Yourself. It's a dogfight. Gather everything—witnesses, messages, notes, anything that helps. Show them the charges are bogus or that they don't reflect on your license.
- Go to the Hearing. If things go to a formal hearing before the Board, it's your time to present your side. It's normal to feel nervous, but with the right support, you'll be ready to tell your story clearly and confidently. Always remember, this hearing is completely different from the hearings in your criminal case. You must answer the questions.
Your rights matter, but let's be honest, good outcomes don't just fall into your lap. You've got to be ready, and that means having the right team backing you up.
The Consequences
If the Board decides to discipline you based on your arrest, here's what could happen:
- Reprimand. A reprimand is a formal warning that reminds you to stay on the right path. It won't automatically cost you your license, but it's a message that more serious consequences could follow.
- Fines. Fines vary. For example, a pharmacist arrested for healthcare fraud—like false billing or misusing medications—could face hefty penalties. A first-time DUI might carry a smaller fine, but it can still have serious implications. In some cases, fines are part of broad discipline that includes a reprimand, suspension, or probation.
- License Restriction. A pharmacist busted for substance abuse might lose the right to handle narcotics—think opioids or benzos—making hospital, clinic, or retail work a lot harder to land.
- License Suspension. When your license is suspended, everything stops—your job, your income, even your ability to care for others. You're stuck waiting, and the only way back may be through rehab or counseling, as required by the Board.
- License Revocation. Losing your license can feel like watching your entire career collapse. Earning it back isn't easy, and in the meantime, your patients lose out too.
An arrest shakes you up—a license suspension can shut you down.
Protect Your Pharmacy License with the Lento Law Firm
When everything's on the line, a steady hand is crucial. With our experience, we've guided professionals through their toughest challenges.
- We Move Fast. When you reach out, we don't waste time. At the Lento Law Firm, we know that the clock's ticking. The sooner we step in, the better our chances of protecting your license and minimizing the damage from both the criminal case and any Board investigation.
- We Dig Deeper. We don't just scratch the surface. Whether it's a DUI, theft charge, or substance abuse allegation, we dive into every detail—examining records, gathering evidence, and uncovering facts that could turn the case in your favor. We'll fight to show that the charges don't define you or your professional conduct. After all, you're innocent until proven guilty.
- We Sweat the Small Stuff. It's all in the details. We comb through your case, ensuring nothing is missed—every piece of evidence, every statement, every possible angle is carefully considered. We'll build a defense that's as unique as you, and make sure the Board sees the full picture.
- We Fight for Your License. If your case goes to a hearing, we're ready for battle. From challenging weak evidence to poking holes in the case against you, we're in your corner. Our job is clear: protect your license, defend your reputation, and fight for your future.
- We Act Strategically. Sometimes, it's about knowing when to stand firm and when to negotiate. If a deal is the right move, we approach it with strategy and care, prioritizing your career and minimizing long-term damage.
- We Never Back Down. Whether it's a substance abuse issue or another kind of criminal charge, we fight. Even when others have written you off or rushed to conclusions, we keep pushing to clear your name and protect your career.
One mistake doesn't erase everything you've worked for. We see the bigger picture.
You Can Count on the Lento Law Firm
If an arrest in Georgia is putting your license at risk, let the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team help. We are dedicated to defending professionals like you in Georgia and nationwide.
Reach out today at 888.535.3686 or fill out our confidential consultation form to get started.
