Oklahoma Criminal Defense Legal Questions

Yes, paying fines and doing time are both possibilities on a felony charge. But that shouldn't be your first plan. Your first plan should be to hire counsel and see if you might qualify for an own recognizance bond instead of a paid bond. Then you and counsel can determine your best course of action.... Read More

Starting with the last point first, counsel often do not communicate with family members because there is no benefit to the defendant to do so. The time spent talking to family members, which often is limited to there is nothing counsel can tell them, at least not which advances the case for the defense, is time that should be spent on the defense of their relative. Hearing dates will be posted on oscn.net or odcr.com, depending on where the defendant is awaiting trial. As to why no new date as yet, the reasons can be many. There may be a report that is coming that is necessary before there is a new hearing. There may be some form of negotiations underway.... Read More

Attorney will likely seek to withdraw due to not keeping your agreement. Court can reassess your indigent status if you request. May still find you are not indigent. Yes, it is possible you could be deemed a flight risk and your bond reevaluated and increased. As you have no funds for a larger bond, you could end up sitting in jail.... Read More

Signing what papers? Is there a child involved? Hire counsel is what you can do. Do not sign anything without seeing counsel first. Yes, she can still try to have charges brought. Doesn't mean charges will be brought, nor that you would lose if they are. But definitely keep your mitts to yourself if you don't know that already.... Read More

It is acceptable he can document his whereabouts, but such charges are usually couched as on or about date x, rather than at 4:00 pm n date x. What you can do is help him secure counsel, lend moral support, and stay out of the way except as requested by counsel. You can not fix this for him beyond that. It is for he and his counsel to resolve.... Read More

If you want him home before a trial is commenced or before a plea not resulting in incarceration is entered, then someone has to post his bond. They are not likely to release him otherwise if they have not already done so. Most first timers do not have high bonds or remain in jail for 5 months. It may be flight risk that warrants the high bond. It happens. His public defender would know if there is something more, but s/he is not obligated to speak with relatives fo a client, and in most instances, can not share certain information.... Read More

If you do not have counsel, fix that.?If you do have counsel, you need to address all questions to him/her. 1st time offenders typically go on short leashes and jump through hoops on command, rather than end up incarcerated. Jumping through hoops beats having a cellmate who thinks you are a gifted toy from outside friends.... Read More

Hire counsel for your son. Do it today. Police do not look to speak to 16 year olds or want to search their rooms out of plain old boredom. There is either something you do not yet know or they are looking in the wrong place. For either scenario, the lad needs counsel now. Do not wait until after a charge is sought.... Read More

Whether you talk to the detective or not, you will likely be charged with a crime. You already made an admission to the employer regarding your actions. If this is your first time in trouble with the law, you will likely be treated as a first-timer. Before you waltz yourself voluntarily into the police station and do their job for them, you might, read that as you really should, decide to contact a criminal defense attorney first.... Read More

Act quickly. You want to work this out by being proactive, not by talking to the judge via a video arraignment after getting arrested because your head was in the sand. Talk to your attorney or other counsel of choice. Talk to your bondsman to be certain he/she/they are willing to stay on your bond. Do a walkin with counsel and bondsperson present to surrender yourself. Do not try to bamboozle the court with a ham fisted excuse. The bottom line is it was your responsibility to be present and you were not. Own that. It will make a difference. Do not blame a boss, a spouse, a main squeeze, a doctor, or anyone else. You blew it and you are truly sorry.... Read More