Crimes Involving Alcohol
Crimes involving alcohol in Oklahoma are taken very seriously. Our Oklahoma criminal defense attorney knows the strict laws and penalties for alcohol-related offenses.
State misdemeanor crimes involving alcohol include:
- Actual Physical Control (APC)
- Aggravated Driving Under the Influence (Aggravated DUI)
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
- Driving While Impaired (DWI)
- Carrying a Firearm While Under the Influence of Intoxication Beer or Liquor
- Public Intoxication
Despite being “just misdemeanors,” most of the crimes listed above carry mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment in county jail. In addition, many of the listed crimes require mandatory assessments and drug/alcohol education classes. For these reasons, it is important to have a criminal defense attorney representing you that is experienced in handling alcohol-related crimes. Rockett Law Office has the knowledge and experience to help you obtain the best outcome possible if you are charged with an alcohol-related offense. We will review the tests given by law enforcement, make sure they were done according to protocol, and review all of the individual details of your case before advising you on the best course of action.
Felony crimes involving alcohol include:
- Driving Under the Influence After Former Conviction (Felony DUI)
- Aggravated Driving Under the Influence (Aggravated DUI)
- Actual Physical Control After Former Conviction (Felony APC)
- Driving Under the Influence Resulting in Great Bodily Injury
A Felony DUI or Felony APC requires that the person have a “conviction” for DUI or APC in the past ten years. Under the Oklahoma DUI laws, a “conviction” includes any plea of guilty or no contest where the person receives a conviction or a deferred sentence. In other words, a person does not have to receive a true conviction, as defined by law, for their second DUI or APC charge to be a felony. “Great bodily injury” is bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.
Statutory requirements relating to DUIs and APCs:
Oklahoma law requires that anyone who receives a conviction or deferred sentence for DUI or APC undergo an alcohol and drug substance abuse assessment and follow any recommended treatment stemming from the assessment. Recommended treatments may include substance abuse education and alcohol/drug counseling.
Oklahoma law also requires anyone who receives a conviction or deferred sentence for DUI or APC to attend a Victim Impact Panel. A Victim Impact Panel is defined as a meeting with at least one live presenter who will share personal stories with participants about how alcohol, drug abuse and the illegal conduct of others has personally impacted the life of the presenter. (see 22 O.S. § 991a(H)(3))
If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime involving alcohol in Oklahoma City or anywhere else in the state, it is important that you know your rights and to contact an experienced Oklahoma criminal defense attorney immediately. Contact us for a free consultation.
