What to Expect After Being Accused of Stealing Narcotics

[ladyphenom]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: South Carolina
I am a pharmacy technician and was called in by loss prevention and told that I stole 60 hydrocodone pills. I was grilled for 3 hours and told if I signed a form stating I took pills things would go a lot better for me but if I refused, things would get ugly. Long story short I signed it and also had to sign a promissory note that I will repay for the pills ($33.00). I was told that DHEC would contact me for an interview and was fired. I have never been in any kind of trouble before. I don't know what to expect now. Should I contact a lawyer? Will police show up at my house and arrest me now? I haven't heard anything else about it (happened yesterday). I don't know what to expect at this point.

[free9man]

At the very least, you can kiss your PT license good-bye. I don't know if it will be permanent or not. There is a good chance investigators from your state's licensing division, who are normally law enforcement officers, will be paying you a visit. Whether it ends in arrest or not, we cannot say. It may take a few days to a few weeks for your licensing division to be notified and initiate an investigation.

You do not deny doing it, so we shall move forward on the presumption you did it. Yes, you absolutely need a lawyer. If contacted by law enforcement of any kind, speak to them only with your attorney present. If you did in fact steal them and it was because of a substance abuse problem, start getting help now and call that lawyer yesterday. If you did in fact steal them and it was to sell them, call that lawyer yesterday. If you did not in fact steal them, call that lawyer yesterday.

[ladyphenom]

Why would I be interviewed by DHEC? The LPO told me this was the smallest theft of pills he had ever seen and told me that by agreeing to pay for them and signing the papers I would be going the easy route. I told them I didn't take anything but he said if I insisted on lies he would get very ugly with me. He said I would be contacted today and I better answer the phone. I haven't heard from anyone. What kind of lawyer should I contact? I have never been in trouble and I'm not sure what to do.

[free9man]

Why would I be interviewed by DHEC?

Because pharmacies are required, by law, to report these types of incidents. Even missing/lost narcotics have to be documented, and in some cases, reported. If you are suspected of a crime of this type, they will investigate.

The LPO told me this was the smallest theft of pills he had ever seen and told me that by agreeing to pay for them and signing the papers I would be going the easy route.

It may be, it may not. The companies I've worked for have rules against lying to folks during interviews. Those rules are not always followed.

I told them I didn't take anything but he said if I insisted on lies he would get very ugly with me. He said I would be contacted today and I better answer the phone. I haven't heard from anyone. What kind of lawyer should I contact? I have never been in trouble and I'm not sure what to do.

If you were telling the truth, why admit to something you didn't do? The hard way, if it results in you being cleared, would be better in the long run. What led them to believe you did this? You need a criminal defense attorney, a good one. If he meant DHEC would contact you today, that may or may not happen. As I said, it can take a little time to get rolling on an investigation of this sort. They are likely to contact your former employer first to review their evidence.