Being charged with a felony in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a serious circumstance. In addition to a prison sentence and stiff fines, a person charged with a felony in Oklahoma risks the loss of certain civil rights, such as the right to use, own or possess a firearm, the right to sit on a jury and the right to vote.
Furthermore, if convicted of a felony in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a person will face severe employment consequences and will likely be unable to get licensed in any type of profession or obtain any position that involves the handling of money.
Felony Defense Strategies in Tulsa
The first strategy for defending a felony charge in Tulsa, Oklahoma is to convincingly establish your innocence, or at least cast doubt on the evidence against you. Remember, it is the prosecution’s job 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 are likely to be found not guilty. If you cannot sufficiently establish your innocence or cast doubt on the state’s case against you, there are still a number of other things that your defense attorney can do to help your felony defense in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Reducing Your Charges in Tulsa, Oklahoma
First, and most importantly, your attorney may be able to intervene early with the state attorney’s office to reduce the felony charges against you. Just because you have been charged with a particular offense doesn’t mean that the state has to proceed on those charges. 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 to drop all of the charges against you.
Deferred Sentence, Suspended Sentence, and Downward Departures in Tulsa, Oklahoma
You may be able to avoid a felony conviction if you are eligible for a deferred sentence. This method of felony defense means that, given your limited criminal history, the state’s attorney agrees to dismiss the charges against you if you plead guilty and agree to attend certain programs or complete certain requirements. If you successfully meet the requirements after having your sentence deferred, you will avoid a felony conviction and the consequences thereof.
If you cannot qualify for a deferred sentence, you may still be eligible for a suspended sentence, whereby you plead guilty to the felony charge and the judge agrees to postpone your sentence pending your compliance with certain conditions. If you fully comply with the condition set forth by the judge, you will not have to serve time behind bars, even though you have been convicted.
If all else fails, you may also be eligible for a downward departure where, based on certain legal principles or mitigating factors, your attorney convinces the judge to sentence you to a lower minimum sentence than that which is required by the law.
Expunge Your Criminal Record in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Finally, if have successfully completed the terms of a suspended or deferred sentence, or have had your charges reduced to a misdemeanor or dropped entirely, you may later be able to expunge your criminal record and get rid of any evidence of ever having been charged with a felony. This felony defense strategy will allow you to avoid any further social stigma associated with having been charged with or convicted of committing a felony, and you can avoid the negative effect it may have had on future employment, professional or educational opportunities.
Confidential Consultation: Felony Defense Lawyer
If you’ve been arrested for any felony in Tulsa or the surrounding Oklahoma counties, you need a Tulsa Felony Defense Lawyer who can provide skillful, aggressive and compassionate assistance to your specific case.
Simply call our team at Wirth Law Office – Tulsa at 918-256-3400 for a free, no-hassle confidential consultation.
If you prefer a felony defense attorney on our team to call you or reach you by email, click here to ask your questions via the online consultation request form.