Oklahoma criminal statutes define a crime as any “… act or omission prohibited by the law which, upon conviction, is punishable by fine, imprisonment, removal from office, disqualification to hold office, or death”.
Misdemeanor and felony are terms used to categorize crimes by the severity of the punishment you may possibly receive. Felonies are crimes for which there are more severe penalties, while misdemeanor crimes are those for which less severe punishments are prescribed.
Despite the fact that the penalties for a misdemeanor are less severe than for a felony, a misdemeanor conviction can still result in serious consequences. If convicted, you may: face trouble finding employment or housing, have your driver’s license suspended, and jeopardize professional certification and licensing.
In addition, a misdemeanor conviction will receive penalties ranging from community service and fines to up to 12 months in a county jail. For these reasons, a misdemeanor charge should be handled in as serious a manner as a felony charge.
Example of Misdemeanors in Wagoner, Oklahoma
Examples of misdemeanors in Wagoner, Oklahoma include:
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Battery
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Simple assault
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Shoplifting
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Prostitution
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Vandalism
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Breaking and Entering
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Public intoxication
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DUI, DWI, and APC
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Marijuana Possession
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Petty Larceny
Wobblers
Sometimes, individuals are charged with crimes that are considered “wobblers.” These are offenses that may either be charged as a felony or misdemeanor crime in Oklahoma, depending on the circumstances of the offense itself.
For instance, theft of property with a value of less than $500 will be classified a misdemeanor, while the theft of property with a value in excess of $500 can be classified as a felony.
Typically, if you have little or no criminal record, or you have behaved well while on probation in the past, your attorney can submit a motion to have the court reduce a “wobbler” felony to a misdemeanor crime in Oklahoma.
Conclusion
Misdemeanors in Wagoner, Oklahoma are crimes that carry punishments of up to $500 in fines or up to 1 year in jail, or both. Some examples of misdemeanors in Wagoner, Oklahoma are crimes such as battery, simple assault and shoplifting.
While the punishments for misdemeanors in Wagoner are less severe than the punishments for felonies, misdemeanor convictions still come with serious consequences. For this reason, when you are charged with a misdemeanor in Wagoner County, you should seek the advice of an experienced Oklahoma defense attorney.
Initial Strategy Session: Wagoner, Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer
For a low-cost consultation with a Wagoner, Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer, call the Wirth Law Office – Wagoner at (918) 485-0335 (or toll free at (888) Wirth-Law). Or, as always, you may enter a legal question in the form at the top right of this page.