Oklahoma Charges for Felony Offenses

Oklahoma criminal statutes define a felony as a crime which “is, or may be, punishable with death, or by imprisonment in the penitentiary.

Felony Sentencing and Convictions in Oklahoma

Oklahoma does not classify its felonies; Rather, the criminal statute simply defines each crime as either a felony, misdemeanor or violation and then proceeds to provide the sentence for each.  Below are some examples of felonious offenses followed by their respective statutory sentences.

• Murder in the First Degree - punishable by death, by imprisonment for life without parole or by imprisonment for life
• Murder in the Second Degree - A person who is convicted of or pleads guilty or no lo contendre (no contest) to murder in the second degree shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in a state penal institution for not less than ten years nor more than life.
• Domestic abuse with a prior pattern of physical abuse -  punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than ten years or by a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars or by both such fine and imprisonment.
• Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon - punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding ten years, or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year.
• Attempt to kill by administering poison - punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not less than ten years.
• Oklahoma Felony DUI
• Oklahoma Marijuana Felony

Felony Records and Expungement in Oklahoma

According to Oklahoma law, an expungement may be permitted but only in certain cases.  Defendants who have been previously convicted of a felony are not permitted to apply for an expungement unless the court waives the prohibition.  In addition, defendants who have plead guilty or nolo contendre (no contest) to a sex offense must be registered under the Sex Offenders Registration Act.  Moreover, a defendant must not have had a deferred judgment for a felony in the past ten years prior to the commission of the pending felonious offense.

Statute of Limitations in Oklahoma for Felonies

The following time limitations apply to the prosecution of felonies in the State of Oklahoma:

• No limitation: murder
• 7 years: bribery, embezzlement or misappropriation of public money or other assets, falsification of public records, conspiracy to defraud state or other subdivision, rape or forcible sodomy; lewd or indecent proposals or acts against children crimes involving minors in pornography, sodomy
• 5 years: criminal conspiracy, embezzlement, criminal state income tax violations
• 3 years: all other felonies

View all Criminal Statute of Limitations in Oklahoma

Getting Help from a Lawyer for a Felony in Oklahoma

A criminal felony is a serious legal matter; therefore, if one is charged with a felony crime in the State of Oklahoma, one should retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.  An experienced criminal law attorney can not only assist one in preserving one’s legal rights, but also an attorney can help navigate one through the process.