85% of what?
Oklahoma’s 85% law means that perpetrators of sexual and violent crimes are required to serve not less than 85% of their sentence of imprisonment before they become eligible for consideration for parole. Oklahoma implemented this law around 2000 to ensure that perpetrators didn’t get early parole and skip out on a large part of their sentence.
Even after they’ve served 85% of their sentence, parole is not automatic and may still be denied. For other types of crimes, there is typically a requirement to serve only one-third or one-fourth of the sentence, which is 33% or 25%, significantly lower than 85%.
85% Crimes in Oklahoma
There are two types of crimes in Oklahoma that are considered 85% crimes. They are sexual and violent crimes.
The violent crimes are first degree murder, second degree murder, manslaughter in the first degree, poisoning with intent to kill, shooting with intent to kill, use of a vehicle to facilitate use of a firearm, crossbow or other weapon, assault, battery, or assault and battery with a deadly weapon or by other means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
It also includes assault with intent to kill, conjoint robbery, robbery with a dangerous weapon, first degree robbery, first degree arson, first degree burglary, bombing, abuse of a vulnerable adult, aggravated assault and battery upon any person defending another person from assault and battery.
The sexual crimes are first degree rape, any crime against a child, forcible sodomy, child porn or aggravated child porn, child prostitution, lewd molestation of a child, aggravated trafficking, and human trafficking.
Initial Consultation with a Tulsa Defense Attorney
If you have more questions about 85% crimes or what that means for your situation, an attorney from the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm can give you answers. For a low-cost initial strategy session, call (918) 256-3400. You can also click “Start My INITIAL Consultation.”