RX Meds after arrest

I'm a hobbyist and also take several prescription medications.

I take some meds multiple times a day and some once a day. I don't carry the actual prescription bottles with me. I carry the medication in a small plastic rectangular box purchased from a drug store with days labeled.

My legal question is as follows. In the event I am in a situation such as a "sting" or similar circumstance and am arrested and forced to spend the night in jail, I will be invoking my right to remain silent and asking for my attorney repeatedly. I will call my attorney when I am provided the opportunity.

In the interim, am I entitled access to my medication? Is there any way for me legally request access to my appropriate medication, and re-invoke my right to remain silent?

I don't want to carry prescription bottles around with me! Can't realistically carry 7 medicine bottles around!

Would carrying copies of the prescriptions with me provide me the necessary legal basis to request my meds until an arraignment and/or bail is handled?

If Rx copies are not sufficient, what is the appropriate legal way to get access to my legally prescribed medication while being detained?

Thanks for any ideas/advice!
ck1942's Avatar
1st reaction I can offer: don't get into any situations where you can be detained. And yes, keep a copy of the scripts somewhere with you so if any drug questions arise, you can offer some sort of proof.

As for expecting any jailer to dispense meds (either the ones you are carrying or jail pharmacy) best of luck with that.
skbinks's Avatar
Things might have changed since then, but a long time ago I was told by a police officer that if the meds aren't in their correct prescription bottles, they would get disposed of and if you needed any meds, you could request to see a doctor while in custody and they are supposed to get one or take you to one.
pyramider's Avatar
I understand its usually the jail nurse, and they dispense as they feel like it. A friend had meds that needed to be taken with food, jail dinner was at 6 pm and the nurse brought his pills at 9:30 pm. So if timing is an issue, do not stray from the straight and narrow.