Oklahoma has strict laws governing controlled substances prescribed by doctors and prohibited substances that no one can legally possess. People arrested based on allegations of drug offenses in Oklahoma may face penalties that include incarceration and fines. Most people expect that the state will pursue possession charges when there are allegations that they violated drug laws. However, the state can also pursue more serious charges in certain circumstances. Possession with intent to distribute is typically a felony offense that carries far worse consequences than simple possession charges ..read more

In some ways, both embezzlement and theft are similar. They both involve a person taking money or assets that they are not supposed to take or use. Both are illegal and can result in criminal charges. But there are also some major differences between the two. One of the biggest is that embezzlement is generally the misappropriation of funds, rather than direct theft. The person was given those funds and entrusted with them for a reason, but they used them for another purpose or used them improperly, which is a crime. An example of what this looks like For instance, imagine that someone enters ..read more

Identity theft comes in many forms under the law. As technology has become more sophisticated, the number of ways to “steal” someone’s identity and use it for fraudulent or other illegal activity has increased.  One form of identity theft is known as “false personation.” Oklahoma law states that someone who “falsely personates another, and in such assumed character receives any money or property, that knowing it is intended to be delivered to the individual so personated, with intent to convert the same to his own use, or to that of another person who is not entitled thereto” has committe ..read more

You may have heard the term money laundering before and not given it much more thought. The truth is that money laundering is a form of white-collar crime used to make unlawful money look legitimate.  Money laundering can be applied in various ways, but the principle of making dirty money clean is always the key factor. Outlined below are some of the more common examples of money laundering.  Using real estate to launder money  Traditionally, using real estate to launder money has been one of the most popular methods. Although regulations in this area are tightening, this is sti ..read more

It’s estimated that Oklahoma marijuana farms are producing 64 times more product than there is (legal) demand for the goods within this state. (In fact, there’s one commercial grow operation here for every 56 people who have a medical marijuana card.) Where is all that cannabis going? Well, some of it is undoubtedly being diverted to recreational use locally, but that’s only part of the picture. According to the spokesperson for the state Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, “We’ve been told that we are now the number-one supplier of black market marijuana in the country.” Oklahoma-grown c ..read more

Acquiring prohibited or controlled substances in Oklahoma usually means that someone has a connection to the unregulated market. They have a friend, coworker or acquaintance who provides certain substances on demand, usually for a price. Anyone who is purchasing street drugs or prescription medication unlawfully already likely understands that they are at risk of criminal prosecution if they get caught during the transaction or while in possession of a drug without a valid prescription. What these individuals may not know is that there is an increasingly common scenario in which they may face ..read more

Your memory probably feels like a video camera. If someone asks you what you did during the day or what you ate for your last meal, you can think back on those events. You feel like you remember them flawlessly because they happened to you, so your brain recorded the memories. But this is a mistake. It’s true that digital recording devices and modern technology can make flawless recordings, but people should not assume that the human brain works the same way. It is not like a video camera. The things that people remember may seem very real to them, but they can be entirely inaccurate. Memories ..read more

There’s been a lot of coverage in the news lately about crimes involving conspiracy on both the state and federal levels. So, now is a good time to review how legal acts can get one into trouble and charged with the crime of conspiracy here in Oklahoma. It can be hard to comprehend how perfectly legal acts can be construed as illegal components of a conspiracy, or how those who took no actions whatsoever can get roped into the cattle call of conspiracy arrests in a drug bust or other crime. Let’s unpack some of those issues. Otherwise legal overt actions Buying a movie ticket is certainly lega ..read more

If you have been accused of criminal wrongdoing, you may be feeling pretty paranoid at the moment. That’s understandable, as your decisions are currently being scrutinized by the government and you’re at risk of incurring any number of consequences as a result of your alleged behavior in the event of your conviction.  It’s important to remain calm and clear-headed as your case unfolds. Doing so will help you to make thoughtful decisions that could strengthen your case and avoid missteps that could weaken your defense. With that said, you should also use that pit of paranoia in your stomac ..read more

Many people in Oklahoma think of traffic stops as inconvenient and frustrating. They know that police officers often write expensive tickets that may increase how much they have to pay for insurance over what seems like a minor traffic infraction. However, the most serious traffic infractions, like impaired or reckless driving, may lead to someone’s arrest rather than a citation. There are also times when an interaction that someone has with a police officer will lead to their arrest for an offense that does not relate to driving at all. An example would be when police officers find contraband ..read more