Arlington Heights School Nurse Faces Felony Charges

 Posted on September 09, 2024 in Criminal Law

An Arlington Heights, IL school nurse is facing six felony charges and seven misdemeanor charges. The allegations are that the nurse misused prescription drugs belonging to a student, triggering one count of official misconduct, five counts of forgery, and seven counts of endangering the life or health of a child.

The details remain sketchy right now, and it is easy to jump to conclusions when an individual has been charged with any type of harm to a child. Unfortunately, it is all too common for those charged with such crimes to be found guilty in the court of public opinion long before all the facts have surfaced.

If you are facing felony or misdemeanor criminal charges, you need experienced legal assistance. A Naperville, IL felony defense attorney from Appelman Law LLC will defend you fiercely, working toward the best possible outcome. Criminal defense requires a multi-faceted approach that considers many factors. Avoiding jail or prison time is universal, but there are other ways charges like these can impact your life.

What Are the Details Behind the Charges?

The attorneys representing the families of the children involved are now investigating Arlington Heights District 25. The parents believe the administrators and school officials exhibited willful and reckless conduct and refused to be held accountable for the actions of the school nurse.

The allegations came to light after a child’s doctor told his parents that the child tested positive for fentanyl and showed signs of excessive aspirin intake. School officials say the arrest of the nurse resulted in a comprehensive review of guidance documents from the Illinois Department of Health and the Illinois State Board of Education.

As a result of this review, District 25 has made significant enhancements to its medication management procedures. Lawyers for the parents claim that administrators and school officials were aware that the nurse was not following protocol and that there were instances of missing medication and improper medication administration.

The school nurse has been placed on administrative leave while the Arlington Heights Police Department investigates the incident. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has also been apprised of the situation. Parents have been asked to verify the content and quantity of medication sent to the school for their children. 

Defenses to Charges of Forgery

One of the most common defenses to the criminal offense of forgery is challenging the prosecution’s proof of intent to defraud. Intent is a crucial element of forgery, so proving a lack of intent can be a powerful defense. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may be able to show that the defendant was unaware the document was forged or that the document, even if altered, was not sufficiently impressive to defraud another person.

What Are the Penalties for Forgery in Illinois?

Forgery is a Class 2 felony in Illinois, punishable by three to seven years in prison. The offense is eligible for probation and a defendant may also qualify under Illinois Second Chance Probation (730 ILCS 5/5-6-3.4). In the state, forgery charges could be eligible for second-chance probation which allows the accused to avoid prison and serve their sentence under probation supervision. A sentence of second-chance probation depends on the circumstances surrounding the offense, the individual’s prior criminal history, and the discretion of the court.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Felony Defense Attorney

The sooner you contact an experienced Naperville, IL felony defense attorney after you have been charged, the better for you and your case. When you have a skilled attorney from the beginning, he or she is more likely to be able to make a deal with the prosecutor to dismiss or reduce at least some of the charges.

Having a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney from Appelman Law LLC ensures your rights will be thoroughly protected from start to finish. Attorney Brett Appelman has extensive legal experience along with a master’s degree in forensic psychology. Contact Appelman Law LLC at 630-717-7801 to schedule your free consultation.