Arrested for OD hospitilization?

Question

If someone is hospitilized for overdosing on illegal drugs and spends the night in the hospital, do they get additional criminal charges when they are released, or is going to the hospital punishment enough?

Answer 1

Hospitalization is a consequence, not a punishment.

If there is evidence the person was possessing drugs, charges can be filed.

Answer 2

I have never charged a person that has OD'd.  I just turn them over to the Paramedics for care.  No report, no nothing. The incident never makes it to the DA for review.  I figure they have enough problems as it is.

I imagine that smaller departments or much more aggressive officers may write it up for review by the DA.

Answer 3

suicide is a crime in most states.  talk to your attorney and pyschiatrist.

Answer 4

Police may or may not be notified.  Going to the hospital - likely on the tax payers money, is not punishment.  It is a moochers gift from us.

No criminal charges will be likely.

Answer 5

I think that they get arrested on criminal charges.  

Answer 6

Saving her sorry butt isn't punishment at all. Neither is it, in any state I'm aware of, reportable; the police may not know about it. The two are separate, but the police generally don't spend a lot of time on drug cases compared to the amount of illegal drug use. That last seems counter-intuitive considering the amount of time the police spend on drugs, but that only shows how prevalent drug abuse really is.