Assault and Battery with a Deadly Weapon
In Oklahoma, assault and battery with a deadly weapon is the intentional and wrongful use of a deadly weapon such as a firearm. It is a serious felony and is punishable by up to life in prison. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 652
In some cases, assault and battery with a deadly weapon explicitly means using a firearm with intent to kill, but there are important exceptions.
Although shooting with intent to kill can be charged as assault and battery with a deadly weapon, a person may be convicted of assault and battery with a deadly weapon without proof that they intended to kill the person.
Also included in this statute is the use of a vehicle to facilitate the intentional discharge of any sort of firearm, crossbow, or other weapon in conscious disregard for the safety of others. This is meant to cover the typical drive-by shooting, which is a type of assault and battery.
There need not be a direct intent to kill in this scenario. The intent is rather a sense of disregard for the safety of others. It is a serious felony, punishable by two years to life in prison.
Likewise, assault and battery upon an unborn child by the use of a deadly weapon or other force or means that is likely to produce death can be charged as assault with a deadly weapon. The crime is not meant to capture legal abortion or other sanctioned medical procedures, but is meant to protect an unborn child from the harm of domestic abuse or other physical harm. The crime is punishable by up to life in prison.
Other Oklahoma A&B Laws
Oklahoma has a number of laws that cover assault and battery, including:
- assault and battery with a deadly weapon;
- vehicular assault with intent to kill;
- shooting with intent to kill; and
- attempted murder.
Simple assault is the intentional attempt or threat of force or violence against another person. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 641
Simple battery is the intentional and unlawful use of force or violence against another. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 642
So, assault is a menacing action that threatens the victim, while battery is the contact.
Beyond those simple definitions of widely used terms, the type of assault and battery that might be charged can depend on the elements of the alleged crime, including:
- intent;
- weapons used;
- the severity of an attack;
- relationship with the victim; and
- the victim’s occupation (e.g., assault on certain public employees) or relationship to the perpetrator (e.g., a family member, current or former romantic partner, or other domestic relation).
Assault with Intent to Kill
Assault with intent to kill can be charged when the elements of assault are present, but questions remain as to whether a battery occurred.
It could also be a lesser included offense in assault and battery with a deadly weapon, where juries could choose the lesser offense if they found insufficient proof of the greater offense.
If you are convicted of assault with intent to kill, that is a felony offense. The penalties are up to a year in county jail or up to five years in prison. You could be assessed a fine of up to $500 in addition to or in lieu of incarceration. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 653
Additionally, intent to kill crimes are subject to the 85% rule. Under Oklahoma law, assault and battery with a deadly weapon is an intent to kill crime. The law specifies that if convicted, you must serve 85% of your sentence before becoming eligible for parole or release. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 13.1
Where no intent to kill was proven and a vehicle was not used (such as in a drive-by shooting), a person who deliberately discharges a firearm to injure someone might be charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Attempted Murder
Facts that give rise to a shooting with intent to kill charge could also raise the possibility of an attempted murder charge.
Attempted murder in Oklahoma is defined as a failed attempt to intentionally murder another person. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 701.7
Attempted murder requires both an intent and an action.
The intent required is often called malice aforethought. It is also sometimes called premeditation.
Also, the intent is to take away the life of that specific person. The intent is specific to the act and to the victim.
The action is deliberately taken to end that person’s life.
Murder and attempted murder charges can also be levied if someone dies as the result of:
- the murder or attempted murder of another person;
- the shooting of a firearm or crossbow done with the intent to kill;
- the intentional discharge of a firearm or the like into a dwelling;
- forcible rape;
- robbery with a dangerous weapon;
- kidnapping;
- attempted escape from lawful custody;
- first-degree burglary or arson;
- the unlawful distribution of controlled dangerous substances;
- and the like.
Attempted murder of the second degree occurs when the act taken is imminently dangerous to another and shows a depraved mind or disregard of human life. Premeditation is not required. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 701.8
Attempted murder is punishable by a prison sentence that is half the longest time prescribed for a conviction for the crime if it were completed. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 42
Penalties for first-degree murder can be life in prison, and minimum of 10 years to life for second-degree murder.
Thus, if convicted of attempted murder in the first degree or second degree, you could serve up to half of a life sentence in prison. In other words, you could spend at least 20 years in prison.
A conviction of shooting with intent to kill could result in a longer sentence than a conviction of attempted murder.
Strategy Session with a Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
Assault and battery with a deadly weapon is a serious crime in Oklahoma. It is important that you hire an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney. Your initial consultation is free.
Call 918-879-1681 or toll free at 1-888-Wirth-Law (1-888-947-8452). You can also submit the question form at the top right of this page.
We pride ourselves on providing our clients with excellent representation at reasonable rates.
