- Child Custody and VisitationThere are a lot of negative collateral consequences associated with entering a plea or being convicted of domestic abuse charges. These consequences include prohibitions against possessing firearms, loss of employment opportunities and negative implications on child custody and visitation. Because of the negative consequences associated with domestic assault and battery cases, anyone who is charged with domestic assault and battery needs to carefully consider all of their options before entering a guilty or no contest plea to this type of charge.
- Child AbuseSince May 2002, Adams has won six not guilty verdicts in eight serious criminal jury trials. His victories include acquittals in three child abuse cases, two murder cases and a federal drug conspiracy case. His most recent victory was in United States of America v. Ritz. Adams won a verdict of acquittal on the sole count of conspiracy after a three-week jury trial. While nine other defendants were indicted, his client was the only one found not guilty.
- Criminal DefenseThe preliminary hearing sounding docket and/or the preliminary hearing is the first opportunity in Oklahoma's felony criminal procedure process to plea the case. Prior to the Preliminary Hearing the district attorney will typically give a defendant's attorney a recommendation. (Frequently called a "Rec") Once a criminal defense attorney has received the discovery and had and opportunity to discuss the discovery and the district attorney's "Rec" with their client the attorney and the client will need to make a decision on whether to have a preliminary hearing or accept the district attorney's offer. To understand the thought process that experienced criminal defense lawyers use to make these decisions read Analyzing Criminal Cases.
- DUI/DWIAlcohol related driving offenses are one of the most common criminal offenses seen in the judicial system., DUI and DWI are probably the most common offenses in Tulsa, Rogers, Mayes and Okmulgee counties. Most people who are arrested for an alcohol related driving offense are people that made a mistake, want to work out the best plea agreement they can and move on with their life; for the people in that category, listed below is an overview of what you can expect if you are charged with first offense DUI, DWI or APC in the state of Oklahoma.
- Traffic ViolationsDUI is covered by Title 37 Section 649 of the Tulsa Municipal Ordinances. DUI carries upto a $1,000 fine and from 10 days to 6 months in jail. However, generally speaking in my experience most defendants charged with DUI in Tulsa Municipal Court are offered an opportunity to either plead guilty, pay a fine and Court Cost and have a conviction or they are offered 6 months probation, work hours, Drug and Alcohol Assement, DUI School, Victim Impact Panel and if succesful they would have the charge reduced to Reckless Driving upon payment of fines and costs, probation fees and costs.
- Sex CrimesIf you or a loved one have been accused of an accusation of lewd molestation or of child sex abuse you need a criminal trial lawyer experienced in these types of cases. Charges of Child Sexual Abuse and Lewd Molestation are more likely to proceed to jury trial than other types of criminal charges, because it only takes an accusation to get these types of charges filed and the consequences for the defendant are often so severe for there can be no room for compromise.
- RobberyClient was facing charges of conspiracy to commit bank robbery and possession of a machine gun in furtherance of a federal crime of violence. The possession of the machine gun in furtherance of a federal crime of violence charged alone carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison. (By law this sentence would of been served consecutive to the Conspiracy to Commit Bank Robbery charge.) On the eve of trial case resolved for a plea on simple possession of an automatic weapon charge. Client was sentenced to only 48 months in prison.
- BurglaryA person also commits the crime of murder in the first degree, regardless of malice, when that person or any other person takes the life of a human being during, or if the death of a human being results from, the commission or attempted commission of murder of another person, shooting or discharge of a firearm or crossbow with intent to kill, intentional discharge of a firearm or other deadly weapon into any dwelling or building as provided in Section 1289.17A of this title, forcible rape, robbery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, escape from lawful custody, eluding an officer, first degree burglary, first degree arson, unlawful distributing or dispensing of controlled dangerous substances or synthetic controlled substances, trafficking in illegal drugs, or manufacturing or attempting to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsIf you or a loved one is charged with an Oklahoma state felony or misdemeanor, the selection of a bail bondsmen is an important decision. (Defendants charged with federal offenses are not required to post a bail bond. More information about federal criminal charges.)
- EmbezzlementEmbezzlement is the misappropriation of property entrusted to someone for a purpose other than what the property was intended for. Embezzlement includes more than theft. For example if a person "borrowed" money from their employer's petty cash without authorization until payday, technicallt that would be embezzlement even if the money was paid back without anyone knowing. The state does not have to prove that a defendant intended to deprive the owner of the property permanently, only that a defendant used property or money entrusted to them for a purpose it was not intended for. Embezzlement cases are most frequently arise from employer-employee relationships, but they can arise from other situations as well.
- Drug CrimesThese types of motions are most commonly filed in drug cases and other cases involving illegal possession of contraband. These types of motions could also be filed in cases in which the state relies upon the defendant's confession or an identification of a defendant.
- AssaultSelf Defense is a potential defense to all types of assault charges in the state of Oklahoma. In order to use the defense of self defense the person must not be an aggressor and the defense used must be reasonable under the circumstances. Once a defendant introduces evidence of self defense it is the state's burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the person was not acting in self defense.
- MurderDo you feel comfortable with this lawyer? Do you like the lawyer? Is this lawyer just telling you what you want to hear? Do you trust this lawyer? If you are facing a murder charge you are in the fight of your life and you need someone that will fight for you, will this lawyer will fight for you? What does your gut tell you? If you are not comfortable with a lawyer you should not hire that lawyer, no matter how good people say the lawyer is. If you are not comfortable with a lawyer keep looking.
- HomicideWhile most defendants receive a bond, not everyone accused of a crime is not entitled to a bond. Individuals charged with a capital offense, violent offenses, offenses where the maximum sentence may be life imprisonment or life without parole may not receive a bond. The most common categories for defendants to be denied bond are defendants who failed to appear on a previous bond, defendants who are charged with additional charges while out on bond for a previous charge or defendants who are charged with homicide.
- Arson
- ShopliftingShoplifting is covered by Title 27 Section 2003 of the Tulsa Municipal Ordinances. Shoplifting carries upto a $500 fine and not more than 6 months days in jail. However, generally speaking in my experience most defendants charged with shoplifting in Tulsa Municipal Court are offered an opportunity to either plead guilty, pay a fine and Court Cost and have a conviction or they are offered 6 months probation, work hours, a shoplifting prevention class and if succesful they would have the case dismissed upon payment of an administrative fee, probation fees and costs.
- Kidnapping
- ManslaughterManslaughter in Oklahoma is divided into two categories, First (1st) Degree Manslaughter and Second (2nd) Degree Manslaughter. Both First and Second Degree Manslaughter are felonies. First (1st) Degree Manslaughter is much more serious than Second (2nd) Degree Manslaughter. This page explains First Degree Manslaughter. Learn about Second Degree Manslaughter.
- ProstitutionProstitution is covered by Title 27 Section 600 of the Tulsa Municipal Ordinances. Prostitution carries from 30 days to 6 months in jail. In my experience prosecutors in the City of Tulsa Municipal Court will always seek jail time in prostitution cases. It is my understanding that they are told by their boss that they have to seek jail time in all prostitution cases. This does not mean that defendants charged with prostitution in Tulsa Municipal Court always go to jail. I have represented Defendants that did not go to jail. However, we had to plead the case to the judge and let the judge decide.
- Sexual Harassment
- Green Cards
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureI call this the "calculation of the risk" of a criminal case. Even if a defendant has a much greater chance of winning a case than losing a case, even if the defendant is innocent, it generally does not make sense for a defendant to risk going to a jury trial. Even if the defendant is charged with a misdemeanor and truly innocent, how many people can risk going to jail for a year just to prove their innocence? For most people a year in jail would mean losing their jobs, losing their house in a foreclosure, having their cars re-possessed, and having to file bankruptcy. Not to mention having their freedom taken from them for a year and being away from their families.