It is in the public interest to protect minors, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Tulsa, Oklahoma can have serious consequences.
It is against the law in Tulsa to knowingly or willfully cause, aid, abet, or encourage a minor to become a delinquent child. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 856
It is also a crime in Oklahoma for anyone to knowingly or willfully cause, aid, abet, encourage, solicit, or recruit a minor to participate, join, or associate with any criminal street gang, or any gang member for the purpose of committing any criminal act.
Defining a Delinquent Minor
In Tulsa, a delinquent minor is a child under 18 years of age who has done anything illegal or is more specifically committing any of the following acts:
- Associating with thieves, or vicious or immoral persons.
- Frequenting a house of ill repute.
- Frequenting a gambling institution.
- Frequenting bars or any place where liquors are manufactured, stored, or sold.
- Possession, carrying, owning, or exposing any vile, obscene, indecent, immoral, or lascivious photograph, drawing, picture, book, paper, pamphlet, image, device, instrument, figure, or object.
- Willfully, lewdly, or lasciviously exposing his or her person, or private parts thereof, in any place, public or private, in such manner as to be offensive to decency, or calculated to excite vicious or lewd thoughts, or for the purpose of engaging in the preparation or manufacture of obscene, indecent, or lascivious photographs, pictures, figures, or objects.
- Frequently using, possessing, transporting, selling, engaging, aiding, or assisting in the sale or manufacturing of liquor.
- Being a runaway from his or her parent or legal guardian. A compelling reason can be a defense to aiding a runaway, such as a reasonable belief that the child is in physical, mental, or emotional danger.
- Violating any penal provision of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 857
Penalties for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Tulsa
is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A subsequent violation is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Encouraging a minor to participate in a criminal street gang is a felony punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. A subsequent violation is a felony punishable by between 5 and 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Anyone who willfully causes, aids, abets, or encourages a minor to commit or participate in committing a felony can be held responsible for the felony as if he committed the felony himself. This is punishable by the maximum penalty allowed for the offense. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 856
Free Consultation: Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you know is accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Oklahoma, please contact a Tulsa criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Consult with an experienced attorney at Wirth Law Office – Tulsa today, by calling 918-756-9600 or toll free at 1-888-447-7262.
If you prefer, you can use the box in the upper right-hand corner of this page to send a question or brief message.