One of the top three prescribers of Oxycontin in the state of Pennsylvania has pled not guilty to federal drug charges. These federal criminal charges were brought against the doctor in December after federal prosecutors claimed the 70-year-old had used his office to dole out illegal prescriptions.

The doctor is accused of illegally selling pain medications for cash since 2008. Some of the prescription medications he allegedly sold include Oxycodone and Xanax. The grand jury report also claims that the doctor would pre-sign prescription pads and allow unauthorized members of his staff to use these pads to prescribe drugs to patients.

While the federal drug charges against the doctor are very serious, the burden is still on the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. Just because a person is accused of a crime does not mean that person is guilty.

The doctor in this case will need a meaningful and strategic defense, as the consequences of a federal drug crime conviction can be quite serious, even going further than prison time and financial penalties.

Drug charges such as the ones faced by the Pennsylvania doctor can result in additional impacts on an accused person's liberty. For example, a felony conviction could lead to limited opportunities in the job market, the suspension of a driver's license, potential loss of parenting rights, possible denial of federal financial aid for college and even the loss of the right to vote.

Other people involved in the present case have already pled guilty, but that doesn't mean the doctor must do the same. A vigorous defense will analyze the circumstances of the charges, thereby casting doubt on the claims of the prosecutors.

Source: The Daily Pennsylvanian, "Gosnell pleads not guilty to drug charges," Jelani Hayes, Jan. 24, 2012