Are you being accused of a sex crime in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma? Our Oklahoma City sex crimes lawyers at Overman Legal Group can fight for your rights and help you work toward the most favorable outcome we can under the law.
Our legal team brings 40 years of combined experience to these cases and knows full well that behind every accusation is a human being whose rights deserve protection. We take the presumption of innocence seriously and will work hard to contest the prosecutionโs case against you at every turn.
Contact us today at (405) 605-6718 for a free consultation. Weโre available 24/7 to schedule your free consultation.
Why Hire Overman Legal Group if Iโm Facing Sex Crimes Charges in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma?
Sex crime cases in Oklahoma City, OK, are unlike any other area of criminal defense, considering the social stigma that can stay with you for the rest of your life. You need an Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyer on your side who has handled these cases before and has what it takes to mount an effective response under intense pressure. Overman Legal Group is just that and more.
Here is what sets our criminal defense law firm apart in these cases:
- Four decades of combined criminal defense experience across our legal team
- A focused understanding of Oklahoma’s sex crime statutes and registration laws
- Close familiarity with how the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office prosecutes these cases
- A proven willingness to take cases to trial when the prosecution will not offer a fair resolution
- Discreet, judgment-free representation from the first phone call through the final outcome
Contact our Oklahoma City criminal defense attorneys today to start building your defense.
Sex Crime Charges Under Oklahoma Law
Oklahoma prosecutes sex offenses under Title 21 of the state statutes. These charges span a wide range of alleged conduct, from sexual assault to child pornography, and the penalties escalate quickly based on the nature of the accusation and the age of the alleged victim.
Some of the most commonly charged offenses include:
- Rape in the first degree (ยง 1114): Carrying a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in prison, this charge applies when force is used or when an adult over 18 rapes a victim under 14 years old
- Rape in the second degree (ยง 1116): A felony punishable by one to fifteen years, typically involving a victim who is legally incapable of consent due to age or mental capacity
- Forcible sodomy (ยง 888): Punishable by up to twenty years or life, depending on the circumstances, covering forced oral or anal sexual contact
- Lewd acts (ยง 1123): One of the most aggressively prosecuted charges in the state, carrying up to life in prison when the alleged victim is under 16
- Indecent exposure (ยง 1021): A felony offense, with the specific classification and penalties depending on the conduct involved
Many of these offenses fall under Oklahoma’s 85% rule, which requires the defendant to serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole consideration. Our sex crimes attorneys can explain exactly what you are facing and what the realistic range of outcomes looks like for your specific charges.
Collateral Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction
The penalties imposed by the court represent only part of the damage a sex crime conviction can cause. The fallout extends into nearly every corner of your personal and professional life, and much of it is permanent:
- Placement on the sex offender registry, potentially for life, with associated restrictions on where you can live and work
- Loss of rights in family court proceedings
- Termination from current employment and severe difficulty in finding new work
- Revocation of professional licenses in regulated fields
- Permanent disqualification from certain types of housing
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Social isolation and lasting damage to personal relationships
These consequences can apply to both misdemeanors and felonies, and some may last for life. Unlike a prison sentence that eventually ends, sex offender registration and the restrictions that come with it can follow you indefinitely. That reality makes fighting your charges at the trial level all the more urgent, since the opportunities to undo the damage shrink dramatically once a conviction is on your record.
The Sex Offender Registration Requirement
Beyond the prison sentence itself, many sex crime convictions in Oklahoma trigger mandatory registration under the Sex Offenders Registration Act, codified in Title 57 ยงยง 581 through 590.2. Depending on the offense and registration level, registration may last for years or for life.
Registered Oklahoma sex offenders must provide law enforcement with their home address and other personal details. They are also prohibited from living within 2,000 feet of schools, parks, and playgrounds. Failing to comply with any registration requirement is a separate felony offense that carries additional prison time.
The weight of these consequences makes it critical to fight the underlying charge as aggressively as possible. Once a conviction is entered and registration is ordered, the restrictions can affect your life for years or, in some cases, permanently.
What Defenses Can Be Raised Against Sex Crime Charges in Oklahoma?
The prosecution carries the burden of proving every element of a sex crime charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite the serious nature of these allegations, the same constitutional protections apply as in any other criminal case. Our job is to hold the state to that standard and expose the weaknesses in its case.
Defense strategies that may apply depending on the facts of your situation include:
- The alleged conduct did not occur, and the accusation is fabricated
- Mistaken identification placed you at the scene of an offense committed by someone else
- The accuser consented to the conduct in question, and there was no use of force or coercion
- Law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the investigation, making key evidence inadmissible
- Forensic evidence does not support the charges, or was improperly handled
- The statements you made to the police were obtained without proper Miranda warnings
False accusations are a real and documented problem in sex crime cases. Our sex crimes lawyers in Oklahoma City know how to investigate the accuser’s motives, if applicable, and present a defense that gives the jury a complete picture of what actually happened.
What Should I Do if I Am Being Investigated for a Sex Crime?
If you learn that you are under investigation or have been arrested for a sex crime in Oklahoma City, what you do in the first 48 hours can define the trajectory of your entire case. Taking the wrong step early on can give the prosecution leverage it would not otherwise have.
There are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Do not speak to law enforcement without your attorney present, even if you believe you have nothing to hide
- Do not contact the accuser in any way, directly or through a third party
- Preserve any text messages and other digital records that may be relevant to your defense
- Write down everything you remember about the events in question while the details are still fresh
- Contact a criminal defense attorney before doing anything else
The instinct to defend yourself publicly or reach out to the other person is understandable, but acting on that instinct almost always makes things worse. Let your attorney handle the situation from the start.
How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Oklahoma City Help With My Sex Crime Case?
Sex crime cases involve layers of complexity that most criminal matters do not. Having a defense attorney in your corner from the beginning changes the dynamic of the entire case. Your lawyer can:
- Step in during the investigation phase and prevent you from making statements that damage your defense before charges are filed
- Retain independent forensic experts to challenge DNA evidence and other scientific material that the prosecution plans to rely on
- Conduct a parallel investigation to uncover evidence that the state overlooked or chose not to pursue
- Depose witnesses and expose inconsistencies in the accuser’s account
- File pretrial motions to suppress evidence obtained through constitutional violations
- Negotiate with the prosecution for reduced charges or alternative resolutions when the evidence supports it
- Prepare and present your case at trial if going before a jury gives you the best chance at an acquittal
The prosecution has the full weight of law enforcement behind it from the start. Without an attorney working just as hard on your side, the playing field is dangerously uneven. Overman Legal Group can level that playing field and make sure the government earns every inch of its case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Oklahoma City Sex Crimes Attorneys
There is no charge in criminal law that carries more personal devastation than a sex crime allegation. However, youโre still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If youโre up against these charges in Oklahoma City, OK, putting a criminal defense lawyer in your corner as soon as you can is almost certainly in your best interest.
Overman Legal Group has spent 40 years defending people facing the most serious criminal charges in Oklahoma and is here to help you next. Call our Oklahoma City sex crimes attorneys today to schedule a free initial consultation.
