If you happen to lose your temper and threaten an act of violence in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you could be charged with a crime. It does not matter if you get into an argument with buddies after a night out. If you threaten someone and they report it, you could face serious charges.
What Is Threatening An Act Of Violence In Tulsa?
Oklahoma statutes have harsh penalties for attempting, conspiring, endeavoring, or threatening to perform acts of violence against another intended to involve serious bodily harm or death to another. Also, planning such acts of violence is considered more severe than merely threatening them. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1378
Therefore, anyone who plans, schemes, or devises any program to cause another bodily severe harm or death intending to perform such actions faces harsh penalties if convicted.
Serious bodily harm is not defined in the statute that defines making threats to cause it. The law elsewhere defines it as aggravated assault and battery. The statute that defines great bodily injury states that it involves bone fracture, obvious and protracted disfigurement, or long-term loss or impairment of how a body part or an organ functions. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 646
A defendant charged with threatening and planning an act of violence faces felony charges. However, merely threatening an act of violence is billed as a misdemeanor in Tulsa.
Elements Of The Crime
The state must prove the following elements of threatening an act of violence charges beyond a shadow of a doubt to obtain a conviction.
- Willfully
- threatening
- to perform an act of violence
- involving or intended to cause the serious bodily harm or death of another.
Penalties For Threatening An Act Of Violence In Tulsa
Punishment is stiff for conviction on charges of threatening an act of violence. If charged with merely threatening an act of violence in Tulsa, a defendant faces misdemeanor charges. Penalties, if convicted, are at most six months imprisonment at the county jail.
Planning a violent act is taken much more seriously. Therefore, the penalty is up to 10 years in prison.
Get Help
If you are facing charges of threatening a violent act, talk to a criminal defense attorney in Tulsa, OK. Our lawyers are experienced and knowledgeable and will stand up for you in and out of court to improve your chances of getting a favorable outcome.
Do not talk to the prosecution or law enforcement before you speak to your lawyer. The other side works mainly to build a case against you.
Initial Consultation: Tulsa Criminal Attorney
When you are facing charges of any kind, it is always better to do it with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Options are available to you. Call for a low-cost initial strategy session with an experienced Tulsa criminal attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Call the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm at 918-756-9600.
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