Juvenile Offenders and the Law
In Oklahoma, Juvenile offenders can be treated in a number of different ways as minors. They can be tried as adults for some crimes. For others, they can be tried or adjudicated as juvenile delinquents. In Oklahoma, adjudicated delinquents are prohibited from possessing a firearm. To do so is a felony in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
What the Law Says
When a minor is adjudicated as a delinquent for a crime that would have been a felony if that crime had been committed by an adult, that adjudicated delinquent may not have any type of firearm or any other type of dangerous or deadly weapon within their possession, custody, or control. They are prohibited from having any such weapon within their residence. And they are prohibited from having any such weapon within a car in which they are a passenger or driving, whether they are aware of the presence of the weapon or not, for a period of 10 years after the adjudication. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1283
A juvenile offender or an adjudicated delinquent must be careful to ensure the people in their environment are not carrying any firearms. The law does not require the offender to have knowledge of a possible weapon. Its presence is enough for that youthful offender to be convicted of a felony.
Penalties for Juvenile Offenders
The crime is a felony offense in Oklahoma; it is punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1284
The penalty is harsh, but there are things you can do if you are facing charges. Hiring an experienced attorney can make the difference between your freedom and further jail time.
Free Consultation: Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
When you are facing charges of any kind, it is always better to do it with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Options are available to you. Call for a free consultation with an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Call the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm at 918-756-9600.
If you prefer, you can use the box in the upper right-hand corner of this page to send a question or brief message.