Fast-Changing Criminal Laws: A Breakdown
Hey guys, criminal laws are about to change rapidly here in Oklahoma. Some of them have already gone into effect as of this past month in November, but the majority of them are about to start going into effect coming January 1st, the start of the new year, with new laws.
I’m Oklahoma criminal defense attorney Carl Birkhead. I want to make law easy by expanding on all of these laws and telling you about what is going to change. Right now, I’m going to start by just talking about the four big changes that are coming up. Later on, I’m going to talk about each one and how it might affect you.
Key Law Changes to Anticipate
The first law that’s being changed is called Lauria and Ashley’s Law. Basically, this is a law that’s going to increase the amount of time that has to be served in certain cases before you can be eligible for release from prison for good behavior.
The second law I’m going to talk to you about is called the Halo Law. This is a law that is going to make it illegal to interfere with emergency service personnel like EMT techs, firefighters, and things like that. You can’t be hanging around. You can’t be getting in their way.
Another law that I’m going to be talking about addresses specific changes to the theft statutes to account for when someone is stealing with the intention. I think it’s the best way I’m going to put it. I’m going to break it down more later, but basically, it carves out a new classification for theft from a retail store if you’re using tools for the purposes of stealing or if you’re working in concert with someone, or if you’re using a getaway driver.
Protecting Property with New Measures
The last law that I’m going to talk about is a law that’s meant to protect homeowners and property owners here in Oklahoma. It prohibits and actually criminalizes by making it a felony for anyone to record a false deed or a false title to ownership of land that they don’t actually own.
There are a lot of changes coming up. A lot of them are going to affect you in one way or the other, and I really want to help you break down each one and how it’s going to be impactful in your life.
Explore These Changes with a Strategy Session
Follow me for more. I’m Tulsa felony defense attorney Carl Birkhead. I’m with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy. Call us at 918-879-1681 for a low-cost initial strategy session to better understand how these laws might impact you. Thank you.
