My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
I was arrested for a suspected DUI back in 2011. I was never charged with the crime, as my blood test results showed I was under the legal limit, as did my breath tests, but due to my lack of sleep they felt they would take me in anyways, as per the cop in the parking lot of the local hospital on the way back to the car to transport me to jail.
At the time of my arrest, I was currently being seen by my PCP doctor and was undergoing treatment for a infected abscess (antibiotic, no pain killers). I informed the officers of this at the time of my arrest, and that my pills were prescribed to me and were in my center console of my car. They told me they couldn't bring the medication with me to the jail and they would have to have my medically cleared for jail in addition to my BAC blood test at the hospital. At this point I was told that they could give me the pills I needed and that way I was caught up on my dose for the night, and they said they would just use my Kaiser Insurance. The pills came up to $17 bucks, total. But then the doctor came out and told the nurse they were gonna give me a shot to be sure I would be okay for jail. That jumped the price up $50. Then they added "ER visit" and "Doctor professional service" fee's to the bill. My insurance didn't cover my medication because they said they were already treating me and I was already prescribed the medication by one of their own doctors. I was never informed of any of this. I was told by the nurse that Kaiser had pre-authorized me for coverage and I was good to go. Never heard another word. Now its 2015 and I just found a $1,000+ on my credit report. As far as I can tell, I was never even charged with a crime, and I was forced to receive medical care I did not need nor request, and that the arresting agency (CHP) and/or the holding agency (local sheriffs department county jail) should be footing that bill, most definitely. CHP and the Sheriffs department are playing dumb, won't tell me they aren't responsible, but won't say that they are. The watch commander told me today that as far as he knows, I shouldn't have gotten a bill, but he wasn't sure.
I have an itemized bill for the services rendered but they won't accept that as proof of money owed and they told me I needed more documents before they could consider paying it for me, but the hospital doesn't have any further records, nor does the collection agency. CHP already had to pay for my DUI blood test (tried to get me for that one too) but they won't speak up for this one either. Had the doctor cleared me to take the antibiotics as prescribed to me, I wouldn't have needed treatment, and the only reason I needed clearance was I was arrested for a DUI that I did not deserve, so I don't see how I am legally responsible for this bill. Can anyone provide me info to confirm either way?>
- - - Updated - - -
Sorry, subject should be "Can you be billed for medical care received while under arrest before you're transported to jail if not prosecuted".

