Texas Health and Safety Code 483.045 – Forging or Altering Prescription
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) forges a prescription or increases the prescribed quantity of a dangerous drug in a prescription;
(2) issues a prescription bearing a forged or fictitious signature;
(3) obtains or attempts to obtain a dangerous drug by using a forged, fictitious, or altered prescription;
(4) obtains or attempts to obtain a dangerous drug by means of a fictitious or fraudulent telephone call; or
(5) possesses a dangerous drug obtained by a forged, fictitious, or altered prescription or by means of a fictitious or fraudulent telephone call.
(b) An offense under this section is a Class B misdemeanor unless it is shown on the trial of the defendant that the defendant has previously been convicted of an offense under this chapter, in which event the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
Attorney's Note
Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $4,000 |
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 180 days | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Texas Health and Safety Code 483.045
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Signature: includes the mark of a person unable to write, and "subscribe" includes the making of such a mark. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.