Sometimes you may feel the law isn’t always on your side and you may be defiant towards officers who interact with you. However, behaving this way may result in a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer Oklahoma.
Defining “Obstruction”
Generally, Oklahoma law defines this crime as “willfully delaying or obstructing any public officer in the discharge or attempt to discharge any duty of his office.”
Use of physical force is not required, and a defendant can still be charged with obstruction just by using words alone.
Punishment for Obstructing an Officer Oklahoma
Obstructing an officer Oklahoma can result in a misdemeanor charge, which usually carries a fine, up to a year in jail, or both. Misdemeanors almost never result in more than a year in jail time. However, a misdemeanor conviction of any type could have a serious impact on someone’s future.
In order to secure a conviction for obstructing an officer, a prosecutor will need to prove that a defendant acted willfully in obstructing an officer. He also must prove the accused was aware that he was an officer trying to complete his duties.
Therefore, the prosecutor must present evidence that the defendant acted with the intention to obstruct an officer. This can be difficult, as the prosecution must prove this beyond a reasonable doubt.
Free Consultation: Tulsa Criminal Defense Lawyer
A charge of obstructing an officer Oklahoma can result in personal inconveniences, financial setbacks and even impact your work.
If you or someone you know faces this charge, 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 918-913-0725, 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.