Criminal Law

Key Elements of a First-Degree Murder Charge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJe-9t8Wpqk First-Degree Murder Charges This is Oklahoma lawyer Stuart Ericson. Today we're just gonna talk the basics about a first-degree murder charge. As with every crime in the state of Oklahoma, there are certain elements that the state of Oklahoma must prove in order to get a conviction for … [Read more...] about What Are Elements of a First-Degree Murder Charge in Oklahoma?

Understanding the purpose and process of initial appearances in Oklahoma. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0gfQSSiI5Y Understanding the Purpose and Process of Initial Appearances This is Wagoner Attorney Stuart Ericson. Today we are talking about after an arrest, your first criminal court appearance, is called an initial appearance. Some people call it an arraignment, but … [Read more...] about What Is an Initial Appearance in Oklahoma?

The powerful defense of a defensive alibi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lSZjE3kmEs The Powerful Defense of a Defensive Alibi This is Oklahoma attorney Stuart Ericson. Let's talk about just some defenses and we'll do more over time on these but one you always hear on the TV and movies is alibi, defensive alibi. So in that case it's evidence that's been reduced that the … [Read more...] about What Is an Alibi in Oklahoma?

Understanding Maiming: Severe Physical Harm in Oklahoma. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPcWKRDtTBE Severe Physical Harm Hi, this is Oklahoma lawyer Stuart Ericson. We're talking about crimes against persons or crimes against people. One that I have seen charged, you don't hear about it too often, is maiming, if you maim somebody. The elements of maiming are, first, the … [Read more...] about What Is Maiming in Oklahoma?

Understanding the elements and consequences of kidnapping. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz1_W1ewi-o A Felony Crime Hi, this is Wagoner attorney Stuart Ericson. We are gonna talk about the crime of kidnapping. So not one you hear all that often, but it does happen. I have seen it charged, sometimes even in a dating relationship-type situation. So again, fact-specific, … [Read more...] about What Is Kidnapping in Oklahoma?

Understanding Domestic Assault and Battery in Oklahoma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doQfX1TCuLc When It Hits Home This is Wagoner Lawyer Stuart Ericson. We're talking about crimes against persons or people. We're in the assault and battery kind of listing of crimes. There are many domestic abuse crimes, and that's, you know, during crimes against a spouse or a living … [Read more...] about What Is Domestic Assault and Battery in Oklahoma?

The Scope and Variations of Assault Charges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIHbZs8OkpM The Scope and Variations of Assault Charges Hi, this is Oklahoma attorney Stuart Ericson. We're talking about crimes against the person. We're kind of in the assault and batteries. Of course, every crime has elements of a crime that need to be proven. Now, in assault and battery, the … [Read more...] about How Broad is Assault and Battery in Oklahoma?

Understanding assault and battery with dangerous weapons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqhBsdy-zgc Felony Charges Hi, this is Wagoner lawyer Stuart Ericson, we're talking about crimes against people or crimes against persons. Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, that is a felony. There are certain elements of a crime, and again, elements of a crime are ones that … [Read more...] about What Is Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon in Oklahoma?

Understanding the specific elements of shooting crimes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzdYXuoc0mA Understanding the Specific Elements of Shooting Crimes This is Oklahoma lawyer Stuart Ericson. We're again talking about crimes against the person. This time we're going to look at a big one, shooting with intent to kill. So, shooting with intent to kill is fairly … [Read more...] about What Is "Shooting with Intent to Kill" in Oklahoma?

Understanding the Difference Between Assault and Battery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEvDaLiRa_g The Difference Between Assault and Battery Hi, this is Wagoner Attorney Stuart Ericson. We will go through some of the misdemeanor crimes and crimes against the person. So one of the first ones is assault and battery. Kind of simple, everybody knows the two words, but assault … [Read more...] about What Is Assault and Battery in Oklahoma?

Understanding Second or Subsequent Offenses in Oklahoma Hi, this is Stuart Ericson, Wagoner County attorney. Today we're going to talk about second or subsequent offenses and convictions. So this has to do with punishment. So if you have one prior felony conviction and you get charged again, the state of Oklahoma will file a page two or a supplemental information. So what … [Read more...] about What Are Second or Subsequent Offences in Oklahoma?

Understanding the Definition of Duress Hello, My name is Stuart Ericson. I am a lawyer in Wagoner. Duress is a defense that can be used in criminal cases when a person has committed a crime due to a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm. However, the fear must be reasonable, and it is ultimately up to the jury to decide whether the belief was reasonable or not. If a … [Read more...] about What Is the Defense of Duress in Oklahoma?

Understanding Entrapment Hi, this is Oklahoma attorney Stuart Ericson. Today we're going to talk about one of the defenses to an alleged crime. If you're charged with a crime, there are certain defenses. Of course, the most obvious one is self-defense, but there is a defense of entrapment. And that is basically where a person has no previous intent or purpose. They have no … [Read more...] about What Is Entrapment in Oklahoma?

Understanding Harboring a Fugitive in Oklahoma Hi, This is Stuart Ericson, Wagoner Lawyer. Harboring a fugitive is a serious crime in the state of Oklahoma. As per Title 21, Section 440 of the state law, if you have knowledge that a person is a fugitive from justice, and you assist them in hiding or evading arrest, you commit a felony that can land you in prison for up to 10 … [Read more...] about What Is "Harboring a Fugitive" in Oklahoma?

First Plea, First Chance Video Transcribed: What is a district court arraignment? I am Oklahoma lawyer Stuart Ericson. After a preliminary hearing in a criminal case, your case will be set for DCA, which stands for district court arraignment. That is where you are in front of a district judge in the county in which you were charged, and that's the first time you will enter … [Read more...] about What Is a District Court Arraignment (DCA) in Oklahoma?

To Waive or Not to Waive? Video Transcribed: What is a criminal preliminary hearing? I am Wagoner County attorney Stuart Ericson. Alright, so in a felony case, the first court date after your initial appearance will be for a preliminary hearing. And that is a probable cause hearing where the state has to produce some evidence to justify you standing for your charges or … [Read more...] about What Is a Criminal Preliminary Hearing in Oklahoma?

Prison or Probation? Video Transcribed: What are the possible punishments in criminal cases in the state of Oklahoma? I am Oklahoma attorney Stuart Erickson. So generally speaking, there are three possible punishments in a criminal case. The first of course, the maximum punishment is going to prison. For most crimes in Oklahoma, prison is always an option and there'll … [Read more...] about What Are the Possible Punishments in Oklahoma Criminal Cases?

Don’t Speak, Just Invoke! Video Transcribed: Should you talk to the police at the beginning of a criminal investigation? Hi, I'm Stuart Ericson, a lawyer in Oklahoma. So in the beginning of a criminal investigation that you might be the target of, you could be detained by the police, you could be asked to come in for questioning, or you could be arrested. I advise … [Read more...] about Should I Talk to the Police in the Beginning of a Criminal Investigation in Oklahoma?

Bench Warrant or Arrested? Video Transcribed: So how does the actual criminal process start? I'm Wagoner lawyer Stuart Ericson. The criminal process can start in two ways if you are the subject of the criminal action. There can be a bench warrant out for your arrest, and you might not even know it. Or, of course, number two, you'll just flat-out be arrested. If … [Read more...] about How Does a Criminal Process Start in Oklahoma?

Know the Crime, Know the Law Video Transcribed: Alright, crimes in Oklahoma. I'm Wagoner attorney Stuart Erickson. Every crime in Oklahoma is listed in our statute books, in our law books, and of course, they have to be. They're all found in Title 21 of the Oklahoma law. So each crime is listed in the law books and it states what the elements of each crime are. For … [Read more...] about How Are Crimes Listed in Oklahoma?

Evidence Is Key Video Transcribed: This is Stuart Ericson, an attorney in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Today we're going to talk about being a good witness or advocate for your own case if you're charged with a crime. This is kind of in two parts. Number one is just, if you're accused or charged with a crime, you're going to want to remember all the details, whether you've … [Read more...] about Defend Yourself: How to be a Good Witness and Advocate if Charged with a Crime in Oklahoma

Don't Let Fear and Threats Get the Best of You Video Transcribed: This is Wagoner County lawyer Stuart Ericson. Today we're going to talk about extortion in Oklahoma. Extortion is defined as obtaining property from another person with consent, so that means the other person is consenting to do it, but, and here's the crime part, that the consent is induced by the … [Read more...] about What Is Extortion in Oklahoma?

Hands off the Phone Video Transcribed: This is Stuart Ericson, an Oklahoma lawyer. Today we're going to talk about a misdemeanor. The charge is interfering with an emergency call. So that is a crime in Oklahoma. It's found in Title 21 of the Oklahoma statute, section 1211.1. This crime contemplates an emergency situation, say it's domestic violence, spouses, and one … [Read more...] about Breaking the Law: The Penalties for Disrupting Emergency Calls in Oklahoma

Youthful Mistakes Have Lasting Effects Video Transcribed: Hi. This is Wagoner attorney Stuart Ericson. Today we're going to talk about possession of a firearm after being an adjudicated delinquent in Oklahoma. Somewhat of a complicated thing. 18 is the age of the majority. If you're under 18, in most circumstances, you will be charged as a juvenile. Now, there are … [Read more...] about Possessing a Firearm After Juvenile Adjudication in Oklahoma

Don’t Let Emotions Get the Best of You Video Transcribed: Hi, this is Wagoner attorney Stuart Ericson. Today, we're going to talk about threatening a violent act in Oklahoma. This comes in two parts. One is a misdemeanor, which is threatening a violent act. That carries a punishment of up to six months in a county jail. The other is much more serious, is a felony, … [Read more...] about Understanding the Severity of Threatening a Violent Act in Oklahoma