How Serious Are False Impersonation Charges in Oklahoma?

The criminal act of fraud should not be taken lightly in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

False impersonation charges in Oklahoma are usually constituted as fraud, and can lead to serious legal troubles.

If you face false impersonation charges in Oklahoma, contact an experienced Tulsa fraud defense lawyer today.

Types of False Impersonation Charges in Oklahoma

There are several ways someone can face false impersonation charges in Oklahoma.

One of the more widely-known ways is impersonating an officer. Under Oklahoma law, anyone who wears an officer’s uniform or any other insignia of office or represents themselves as a police officer is guilty of impersonating an officer.

In fact, it is illegal to impersonate any type of “public officer, civil or military, any firefighter, any law enforcement officer, any emergency medical technician or other emergency medical care provider, or any private individual having special authority by law to perform any act affecting the rights or interests of another.”

Anyone found guilty of impersonating an officer may face a misdemeanor conviction, six months in county jail, and a $2,000 fine. (Ok. Stat. Tit. 21 Sec. 1533).

Anyone who was impersonating an officer to create a “sham legal process,” may face a felony conviction, two years in state prison, and a $5,000 fine.

Impersonating another person under the following circumstances also carries strict penalties:

1. Marrying or pretends to marry, or to sustain the marriage relation toward another, with or without the permission of such other person; or,
2. Becoming bail or surety for any party, in any proceeding whatever, before any court or officer authorized to take such bail or surety; or,
3. Subscribing, verifying, publishing, acknowledging or proving, in the name of another person, any written instrument, with intent that the same may be delivered or used as true; or,
4. Doing any other act whereby, if it were done by the person falsely personated, he might in any event become liable to any suit or prosecution, or to pay any sum of money, or to incur any charge, forfeiture or penalty, or whereby any benefit might accrue to the party personating, or to any other person.

Anyone who does any of the above may be convicted of a felony offense and can face up to 10 years in state prison. (Ok. Stat. Tit. 21 Sec. 1532)

Lastly, impersonating someone else in order to receive money or property, knowing it is intended to be delivered to the individual being impersonated is also a crime punishable by ten years in prison. (Ok. Stat. Tit. 21 Sec. 1533)