Felony Defense

Child neglect is a crime that can lead not only to punishment, but the separation of your family. There are several ways that someone can commit child neglect in Tulsa, and an attorney can help you navigate the legal troubles that come with the charge.

Defining Child Neglect

Child Neglect has several definitions, and a prosecutor will have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that someone who was in charge of a child’s care acted either willfully or maliciously when doing something that fell within the definition of “neglect.”

One definition of “neglect” in Oklahoma is the failure to provide adequate nurture, affection, food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, hygiene, medical treatment, education, or supervision. Someone may also be accused of child neglect if they did not protect their children from exposure to illegal drugs, illegal activities, or sexual acts or materials. Finally, abandoning a child can also be construed as neglect in Oklahoma.

Initial Consultation: Tulsa Child Neglect Lawyer

Unfortunately, the terms and definitions of “neglect” are vague, and even well intentioned parents can be charged with child neglect. If you or anyone you know is faced with a charge of child neglect in Tulsa, please contact a Tulsa child neglect attorney to discuss your available legal options. Consult with an experienced attorney at the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm today at (918) 256-3400, or call toll-free at 1-(888) 447-7262 (Wirth Law). If you prefer, you can use the box in the upper right-hand corner of this page to send a question or brief message.

A felony charge is very serious. A felony conviction can result in severe penalties including thousands of dollars in fines, years in prison and the loss of civil rights. In addition, if convicted of a felony, you will face fairly severe employment and housing consequences.

So, if you have been charged with a felony offense, it is most often in your best interest to explore the possibility of having your felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor charge, if at all possible.

Felonies vs. Misdemeanors in Tulsa, Oklahoma

According to Oklahoma criminal statutes, a crime is defined as any “….act or omission prohibited by the law which, upon conviction, is punishable by fine, imprisonment, removal from office, disqualification to hold office, or death.” “Misdemeanor” and “Felony” are terms used to categorize crimes by the severity of the punishment you may possibly receive.

Felonies

In Oklahoma, a felony is generally any offense which is punishable by one year or more in a state or federal prison. Felonies are generally more extreme crimes than misdemeanors; murder is an extreme example of a felony crime.

Here are other examples of felonies in Oklahoma:

• Homicide.

• Rape.

• Robbery.

• Sexual Assault.

• Aggravated Assault.

• Child Abuse or Neglect.

• Child Sexual Abuse.

• Child Pornography.

• Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute.

• Drug Trafficking.

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors  generally carry less severe penalties than felonies. In Oklahoma, a misdemeanor is an offense that is punishable by no more than one year in a county jail.

Examples of misdemeanors in Oklahoma include:

• Battery.

• Simple Assault.

• Shoplifting.

• Vandalism.

• Breaking and Entering.

• DUI, DWI, and APC.

• Marijuana Possession.

• Petty Larceny.

Reducing a Felony to a Misdemeanor in Tulsa, Oklahoma

It goes without saying that the first strategy for defending any felony charge is to convincingly establish your innocence, or at least cast doubt on the evidence presented by the prosecution. Remember, it is the prosecution’s job to try to convince the jury of your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt; if the prosecutor fails to do this in the eyes of the judge or jury, you will most likely be found not guilty.

If you cannot sufficiently establish your innocence or cast doubt on the state’s case against you, your attorney may be able to reduce the consequences of a probable conviction by intervening early with the state attorney’s office to reduce the charges against you from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Just because a person has been arrested does not mean that the state has to proceed with that particular charge. If your attorney intervenes early with the state, there may be a possibility, depending on the facts and circumstances of your case, that the felony charge can be reduced to a misdemeanor. There may even be a chance to convince the state’s attorney not to proceed on any charges at all.

Wobbler Crimes in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Often, individuals are charged with crimes that are considered “wobbler crimes.” These are offense that may either be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the circumstance of the crime itself.

For instance, theft of property with a value of less than $500 will be classified as a misdemeanor in Oklahoma, while the theft can be classified as a felony if the value of the stolen property exceeds $500.

If you have little or no past criminal record, or have behaved well on probation in the past, your attorney can submit a written motion to the court to reduce a “wobbler crimes” felony to a misdemeanor charge.

If you have been charged with a felony in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it is advisable to speak with an attorney who can advocate to reduce your felony charge to a misdemeanor charge, in order to give you the best chance of avoiding jail time and receiving the least severe penalties possible.

Initial Consultation: Tulsa Criminal Attorney

When you’ve been arrested in the Tulsa area, it’s time to retain a Tulsa criminal attorney who will look out for your legal interests. Contact your defense team at Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm today for a initial, confidential consultation.

A Tulsa criminal attorney can advise you how the criminal justice process works and offer answers to your specific questions. To begin your low-cost initial strategy session, call now: (918) 256-3400.

According to Oklahoma criminal statutes, a crime is defined as any “…act or omission prohibited by the law which, upon conviction, is punishable by fine, imprisonment, removal from office, disqualification to hold office, or death.” “Misdemeanor” and “felony” are terms used to categorize crimes by the severity of the punishment you may possibly receive.  This article explores the difference between misdemeanors and felonies in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Misdemeanors in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Misdemeanors generally carry less severe penalties than felonies. In Oklahoma, a misdemeanor is an offense that is punishable by no more than one year in a county jail. Examples of misdemeanors in  Oklahoma include:

• Battery.
• Simple assault.
• Shoplifting.
• Vandalism.
• Breaking and Entering.
• DUI, DWI, and APC.
• Marijuana Possession.
• Petit Larceny.

Felonies in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oklahoma law states, “A felony is a crime which is, or may be, punishable with death, or by imprisonment in the penitentiary.” Typically, however, a felony offense in Oklahoma is one which is punishable by one year or more in a state or federal prison.

Felonies are generally more extreme crimes than misdemeanors, with an extreme example being murder. Here are other examples of felonies in Tulsa:

• Homicide
• Rape
• Robbery
• Sexual Assault
• Aggravated Assault
• Child Abuse or Neglect
• Child Sexual Abuse
• Child Pornography
• Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute
• Drug Trafficking

Felonies in Tulsa generally have more severe consequences than misdemeanors, including the loss of certain civil rights. A person convicted of a felony will lose the right to use, own or possess a firearm, the right to sit on a jury and the right to vote, to name a few. In addition, felony offenders will face fairly severe employment consequences and will likely be prohibited from holding any position which involves the handling of money or getting licensed in any type of profession.

Wobbler Crimes in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Sometimes the nature of the offense itself will dictate whether the crime is classified a felony or misdemeanor. For instance, theft of property with a value of less than $500 will be classified a misdemeanor in Oklahoma, while theft of property will be classified a felony if the values stolen exceed $500.

In addition, a subsequent offense of a misdemeanor-level crime you’ve been convicted of in the past can be considered a felony. For instance, a person’s first DUI conviction in Oklahoma is usually a misdemeanor, but a second or subsequent conviction for DUI within a ten-year period may be classified a felony.

Initial Consultation: Tulsa Criminal Attorney

Whether you have been charged with a felony or a misdemeanor in Oklahoma, it is very important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible so that he or she can intervene early with the state prosecutor in attempt to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed completely.

Contact your defense team at Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm today for a initial, confidential consultation. A Tulsa criminal attorney can advise you how the criminal justice process works and offer answers to your specific questions. To begin your low-cost initial strategy session, call now: (918) 256-3400.