what kind of lawyer to i hire for having been falsely accused of a failed drug test

by Pasquale Hahn Sr. 5 min read

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Should I hire a lawyer for false allegations of child abuse?

You may be tempted to hire a local lawyer who has little experience with child abuse allegations. If you can avoid it, do not do this. Get an attorney with specialized experience. Cases involving false allegations of child abuse are complicated, especially because the crime is often one that never occurred.

Should you take drug testing seriously when hiring?

Drug testing is carried out by some government employers and has become quite popular in the private sector as well. Therefore, employees should take seriously the employer’s warning that drug testing will be a condition of hiring.

What happens if you fail a drug test at work?

If you fail a drug test while employed, your employer might terminate you or restrict you from being promoted. Your state may also deny you unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, or disability benefits for failing a drug test.

What to do if you are falsely accused of a crime?

Without cooperating with the investigation, the law will deem you to be obstructing justice, and therefore, you need to collaborate with them to get all the evidence to make your case a success. Once you have been falsely accused, the first thing is to keep calm because then that is when you will figure out your next move.

Can you fight a false positive drug test?

If you were taking something that might've caused a false-positive result, the lab can do another type of test to verify that you haven't touched the drugs being tested. Letting your employer, principal or coach know about these substances can go a long way towards convincing them you deserve a second chance.

How do I dispute a failed drug test?

4 Ways to Dispute a False Positive Drug Test While On ProbationAsk for a repeat test as soon as possible. ... Reveal the substances you have been taking that might have caused inaccurate result. ... Request a more advanced method of testing for verification. ... Get assistance from your union or a private attorney.

Can you request a retest if you fail a drug test?

In most cases, you are entitled to request a retest. However, most drug testing protocols require the lab to retest the same sample. While this is helpful in situations where there was contamination, the better option is to provide an entirely new sample, if that is allowed.

What can cause a false positive on a urine drug screen?

Drugs that can cause false positives1) Dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan is an active ingredient in Robitussin, Delsym, and other over-the-counter cough suppressants. ... 2) Diltiazem. ... 3) Diphenhydramine. ... 4) Metformin. ... 6) Labetalol. ... 9) Tramadol. ... 10) Phentermine. ... 11) NSAIDs.

What causes a false negative drug test?

False-negatives can occur when the urine drug concentration is below the threshold level set by the laboratory performing the test. Dilute urine, the duration of time between ingestion of the drug and time of testing, and the quantity of the drug ingested may affect the occurrence of false-negatives.

What is the most common false positive drug test?

False-positive results for amphetamine and methamphetamine were the most commonly reported. False-positive results for methadone, opioids, phencyclidine, barbiturates, cannabinoids, and benzodiazepines were also reported in patients taking commonly used medications.

What are the chances of a false positive drug test?

Drug tests generally produce false-positive results in 5% to 10% of cases and false negatives in 10% to 15% of cases, new research shows.

What happens if your drug test comes back positive?

If the test results in a positive reading, meaning there is drug residue in the body, the results are forwarded to a medical review officer, who reviews the results and looks for any possible valid medical explanation for the results.

Is it better to fail a drug test or refuse?

Refusing to take a drug test is much like refusing to take a breathalyzer; it's your right to say no, but just taking the test is usually the better option. The question you pose shouldn't be whether you can refuse a drug test, but instead whether refusal is a smart decision. Drug tests are ordered for many reasons.

What foods can cause false positive drug test?

If you are mistakenly found positive for drug use, think about whether you have taken any substances known to cause false-positives....False-Positive Results.If you take or eat:You could test positive for:Diet pillsAmphetamineSleep aidsBarbituratesPoppy seeds*Opiates/morphineHemp food products**Marijuana4 more rows

How accurate are urine drug tests?

No drug test of this type is 100% accurate. There are several factors that can make the test results negative even though the person is abusing drugs. First, you may have tested for the wrong drugs. Or, you may not have tested the urine when it contained drugs.

What herbal supplements can cause a false positive drug test?

In addition to prescription medications, these other common substances can lead to a false positive drug test.Vitamin B supplements. Riboflavin, also known as B2, is found in hemp seed oil and may return a false THC (marijuana) reading.CBD (cannabidiol) ... Poppy seeds. ... Mouthwash. ... Tonic water.

When Is Drug Testing legal?

The federal government has limited laws regarding drug testing. Therefore, drug testing is mostly a state issue. States and local jurisdictions hav...

What Can I Do If I Fail A Drug Test?

If you failed a drug test, you may be able to contest the results. Drug tests are sometimes unreliable. Many people who have never used drugs have...

What Can Cause A False Positive?

There are many legal substances and products that can cause a false positive. The following common substances are among the many that may cause a f...

What Happens If I Fail A Drug Test?

Each state or municipality has its own rules regarding drug testing in the workplace and the consequences for failing a drug test. If you fail a pr...

Do I Need A Lawyer If I Fail A Drug Test?

An experienced Employment lawyer can help an employee who has not been hired, who has been fired, or who has been denied benefits because of an unl...

What to do when you are falsely accused of wrongdoing?

When you are falsely accused of wrongdoing, there are a couple of things that you do not have to do. First of all, do not address the media. You also should not communicate with the accuser nor talk to the police. You need an attorney who knows how well to address the media, what they should say, and what they should not, as what you say to the press can be incriminating and be used against you in a court of law.

How to deal with false accusations?

It is only when you are calm that you can think soberly. Disclose this to your family members and close colleagues at work, as well as your lawyer. Stay calm as the investigations continue and make sure to provide your lawyer with all pieces of information that can lead to a comprehensive investigation, and that will be helpful for them to present you in a court of law better.

Why are false accusations so hot?

False accusations are a hot topic for obvious reasons. Since time immemorial, people have made false allegations against others for no good reason. Sometimes they do this to feed their ego or gain unlawfully. That has led the accused to suffer not only mentally but emotionally and financially.

Why are people rotting in prison?

People are suffering innocently in jails. Others are rotting in prison because of a coworker making false accusations.

What is a false conviction?

False convictions are accusation incidents where an individual is accused, charged before a court of law, and even convicted of a crime that they did not commit. The false accusation comes in many forms, and a couple of times, they stem from sexual misconduct. The worst thing is that these accusations soils live as well as reputations.

What are the emotional effects of false accusations?

Another widespread emotional impact of false accusations is having suicidal thoughts. Most people would opt to commit suicide before the law takes its cause since they feel that that is the end of their road. They can’t cope with the humiliation and broken relationships.

Can you be fired if you are accused of a crime?

Yes, once you are accused, most firms will interject you and only reinstate you to work when the court has cleared you of law. If the court does not fall in your favor, you will be fired and fail jail sentence or a possible fine.

What does it mean when an employer refuses to give you a drug test?

Failing a drug test means an employer can deny you employment or terminate your employment depending on the conditions of your hiring. After you have been hired, the employer may choose to continue your employment but decline to promote you until you pass the next series of drug test. To learn more, you should consult your employee policy ...

Why do employers order drug tests?

Cause-Specific: Employers may order drug testing to eliminate allegations that an accident resulted from drug use by an employee. For example, a drug test may be requested in connection with a workers compensation claim.

What are the conditions for drug testing?

Some of these include the following: Pre-employment: Employers are always trying to determine how best to weed out employees that may present a liability .

What type of drug test is used for pre-employment?

However, there is a list of drugs that employees typically test for, particularly in pre-employment scenarios. Most tests are conducted with urine analysis , which eliminates arguments against invasive testing.

Do employers require drug testing?

Many employers require drug testing as a condition of hiring and continuing employment. In fact, it is rare these days for an employment application not to forewarn of the employer’s intention to conduct a drug test before issuing an offer of employment. Drug testing is carried out by some government employers and has become quite popular in ...

Can an employer do a drug test?

These are just some of the conditions under which an employer may carry out drug testing. You should consult with your employee handbook or state laws to learn more about what your employer can and cannot do. Each state may have different rules and laws for drug testing. For instance, failing a drug test in California may have different consequences than failing a similar test in another state.

Is a drug test a condition of employment?

It is pretty standard these days to include a successful drug test as a condition of employment. Drug testing as part of continuing employment can be somewhat more complicated. If you are confused about what your rights are, consult an experienced employment lawyer.

What to do if you are still facing a criminal charge?

If you're still facing a criminal charge, then these civil actions won't be of any help. You'll need to navigate the criminal justice system first before a civil claim is available to you. For that, you'll need the help of the public defender or a private criminal defense attorney. Talk to a criminal defense lawyer, or see When Do I Have a Right to a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

What does it mean to be liable for a malicious prosecution?

Malicious prosecution lets you hold someone else civilly liable (meaning you can get compensation in the form of financial damages) when they initiate (or cause to be initiated) a criminal or civil case against you, while knowing that the allegations are not true (or without any reasonable grounds to believe they are true), and with a wrongful purpose. Finally, you also must receive a judgment or ruling in your favor in the case, in spite of all those things.

Is false accusing someone of a crime defamatory?

But in your case, it may not matter much, because under defam ation laws in most states, falsely accusing someone of having committed a crime is considered "defamatory per se" or "actionable per se.". That means harm is taken as a given in the eyes of the law, and harm to your reputation is presumed. Depending on your state's laws, you may only need ...

Can a young woman be liable for a false statement?

Again, depending on your state's laws, the young woman might be liable for any resulting actual damages stemming from the statements -- money you lost as a result of losing your job, damage to your ability to secure new work, and harm to your reputation because of the false accusations of your having committed a serious crime. You may also be entitled to compensation for things like embarrassment, mental anguish, and humiliation. It might be worth it to discuss your options with an attorney.

Do you have to show a young woman that she made false accusations?

Depending on your state's laws, you may only need to show that the young woman made the statements , and that the statements were false. This isn't usually all that easy, but it sounds like you may have some type of record of her declaring the falsity of the accusations.

Is slander a defamatory statement?

Both involve harmful, false statements that cause damage someone's reputation, but libel requires that the statement be in writing or somehow "published.". With slander, all that is required is that the defamatory statement be spoken to a third party (someone other than you).

What happens when you are falsely accused?

When you are falsely accused, it is easy to become depressed, feel overwhelmed, and want to give up. Do everything you can to maintain your sanity and sense of humor. Many people beat these charges, recover from the trauma, and go back to live happy lives. The NCRJ is here to help you.

What to do if you can't hire a lawyer?

If you can’t hire the best, and must work with someone without experience in these cases, insist that your lawyer consult an expert. If the lawyer refuses, get another one. If you must use a public defender, try to insist on one who will listen to your questions and return your phone calls. Public defenders are often underpaid and overworked, but many are dedicated and competent.

What to do if your lawyer feels it is possible to argue your case without doing so?

So, even if your lawyer feels it is possible to argue your case without doing so, demand that she call expert witnesses who can assess interviewing techniques or discuss human suggestibility or memory distortion. In addition, convictions are won by convincing juries that you are an evil and perverted person.

What to do if you are innocent?

If you are innocent, you have nothing to be ashamed of. It is important to contact friends and family members early in the process. Tell them what happened. People tend to form opinions quickly and take sides. Do not give a statement to the police without a lawyer present.

What happens if you don't go to prison?

Even if you spend no time in prison, you will most likely be put on a sex offender registry, where you will remain for years or even for life. The conditions of your parole will limit where you can live, affect your job and educational prospects, and your family life. Your movements will be limited.

Can you give a statement to the police?

Do not give a statement to the police without a lawyer present. In spite of the founding legal principle that everyone is assumed innocent until proven guilty, in cases of alleged child abuse, police, district attorneys, social workers, and physicians often assume guilt. It is also legal for police to lie to you during interrogations, saying things like, “We have proof that you are guilty, so you might as well confess and we’ll go easy on you.”

Can a guilty verdict send you to prison?

Don’t panic. Just before trial, it hits home for many people that a guilty verdict could send them to prison for many years. If offered a plea bargain, they accept it.

Who can assess if an employer acted legally in drug testing?

An employment lawyer familiar with drug testing laws in your state can assess whether or not your employer acted legally in testing you and in its response to the test results. And, the lawyer will analyze whether or not the employer conducted the drug test properly.

What are the questions that employers ask about drug testing?

In addition to questions of privacy and discrimination, employer drug testing also raises questions of procedure. Did the employer (or its testing contractor) take the sample properly? Was the sample handled in a way that its "chain of custody" can be reliably confirmed? Was the laboratory that tested the sample accredited and trustworthy?

What happens if you don't get hired?

If you weren't hired or were fired because you failed an employer’s drug test, you may have legal challenges to the test or to any actions the employer took based on the test results.

Why is Gina used for drug testing?

Because drug tests take samples from a person's body that may contain genetic information that would reveal disabilities, susceptibility to certain diseases, and other confidential medical information, GINA bars employers from gathering and using genetic information to screen out certain employees or applicants.

Why are drug tests not able to distinguish between intoxication, current drug use, and drug use in the recent?

As noted above, drug tests are not able to distinguish between intoxication, current drug use, and drug use in the recent past because the tests simply show some marker that the person tested has ingested a drug at some time. Markers for certain drugs stay in the blood stream longer than others.

Do drug tests show current intoxication?

Drug tests do not merely explore a person's drug intoxication: Tests themselves are invasive (often involving the taking of a urine sample), and the results do not merely show current drug intoxication but can reveal off-duty drug use. Some states view such measures as possible violations of employees' and applicants' right to privacy. An employment lawyer in your state should be up to speed on all of these aspects of the law that may be implicated in your drug test.

Can employers test employees?

Many states allow employers in certain professions and industries (such as health care workers, police officers, or public transit operators) to test employees with fewer restrictions. Ask an employment lawyer familiar with the drug testing laws in your state about when, how, and why employers may drug test people in your capacity ...

Driver was on amphetamine

Here’s an example of how tricky it is to comply with the ADA: John Lisotto was denied a position as a truck driver at New Prime Inc., a fuel hauler, because he failed the company’s medical exam during the hiring process. Lisotto suffered from narcolepsy, and took a prescribed amphetamine — Dexedrine — to manage the sleep disorder. In anticipation of the drug test, Lisotto submitted a letter from his physician to New Prime. The letter said:.

ADA claim

Lisotto then filed a disability discrimination lawsuit under the ADA. New Prime fought to get his lawsuit dismissed, claiming that Lisotto was required to first seek administrative recourse with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is tasked with resolving “conflicts of medical evaluation” where the physician for a driver and the physician for the motor carrier disagree on a driver’s qualifications. But the court said there was no such disagreement here.