Words may not mean much, but if you don’t listen to a police officer it may land you in trouble.
You may end up in jail asking questions such as, is obstructing an officer a felony in Oklahoma?
While obstructing an officer in Wagoner is a misdemeanor crime, it is still a criminal offense.
Thus, you should take every step possible to cooperate with law enforcement officials.
This applies even if you committed another crime; do not worsen your situation by refusing to cooperate with police officers.
If you are convicted of obstructing an officer in Oklahoma, this could impact the rest of your life.
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.
Is Obstructing an Officer a Felony in Oklahoma?
Obstructing an officer 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 one year in jail time.
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, and that he 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. OUJI CR 6-48
Initial Strategy Session: Wagoner Criminal Defense Lawyer
A charge of obstructing an officer can result in personal inconveniences, financial setbacks and can even impact your ability to work.
If you or someone you know is faced with this charge, please contact a Wagoner criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Contact Wirth Law Office – Wagoner at 918-485-0335 for a low-cost and confidential consultation.
We will explain how our knowledge and resources can help you successfully defend your obstruction of an officer charge.