Sexual communication with children is a crime that Oklahoma prosecutors combat fiercely. There are several statutes in Oklahoma law that target this type of behavior. One of them is a prohibition against making a lewd or indecent proposal to a child.
Lewd or Indecent Proposals are Against the Law
In Oklahoma, knowingly and intentionally making a sexual, lewd, or indecent proposal to a child under 16 years of age, or believed to be under 16 years of age, is a felony. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1123
This crime can take place in person, by phone, on Snapchat or other social media, by computer, or any other method of communication. No physical contact is required for the crime to occur. The sexual communication is all that is required.
So, what constitutes a lewd or indecent proposal to a child in Tulsa?
Oklahoma statute provides a long list of prohibited suggested acts, including:
- touching;
- mauling;
- ejaculating;
- lasciviously looking at a child’s private parts;
- engaging in any sexual act;
- forcing a child to view or engage in a sexual act;
- viewing pornography;
- urinating or defecating;
- sexually exposing yourself to a child;
- enticing a child to a private location with the intent to have sexual contact; or
- another type of sexual communication.
Penalties for Lewd or Indecent Proposal to a Child
In Oklahoma, prison sentences for crimes involving children are especially harsh. If the child is under 16 years of age, you could face a prison term from 3 to 10 years. If the child is under 12, you could face at least 25 years in prison.
And these aforementioned sentences are for a first conviction. A subsequent conviction could mean life in prison without parole.
The offender is not eligible for probation or suspended or deferred sentences.
In addition, because this is a sex crime, once released from prison, you must register with the sex offender registry in Oklahoma. This makes the effects of the crime last much longer for the defendant.
If you are facing charges, do not talk to the police without an attorney present. It is important that you hire an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to help you build a strong defense against the charges.
Initial Consultation: Tulsa Criminal Defense 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 defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Call the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm at 918-756-9600 or toll free at 1-888-Wirth-Law (1-888-947-8452).
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