Understanding the Halo Law: What You Need to Know
Hey guys, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal defense attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing criminal law for over eight years now, and I want to help make law easy by telling you about the new changes in the criminal statutes that are coming in 2026.
The Introduction of the Halo Law
This next one I’m gonna talk about is called the HALO Law. That sounds like a very fun name. What it means is that it is now considered illegal to interfere with any emergency service personnel while they’re doing their job.
The law specifically says you cannot linger within 25 feet after being instructed to leave to interfere with what they’re doing, or harass them, or to get involved. So what does this mean? Let’s say you’re out with your buddies and you’re just having a drive, and you get into a car accident.
Compliance and Consequences
Obviously, you call 911 because there are serious injuries. EMT shows up, fire trucks show up, law enforcement shows up, and they tell you to clear away and let them work. Clear away and let them work. If you’re within 25 feet and they can establish that you are interfering with their job, you’re facing a misdemeanor.
It carries up to a year in jail. It’s a really silly thing to get arrested for, but guys, it’s also really easy to make that mistake when you’re in the heat of the moment, you’re stressed, you don’t know what’s going on. The best thing you can do is listen to whoever’s in charge.
Listen and Avoid Legal Trouble
If the cops have control of the scene, they tell you to back away; do it. Firefighters, same thing. EMTs, same thing. They have a job, and their job right now in that moment is to save lives, so you absolutely need to obey their instructions, even if you don’t agree with them. Because now, if you choose to do your own thing, you’re gonna be facing jail time.
Schedule a Low-Cost Strategy Session
If you have questions about this, or if you’re facing this type of charge, definitely give me a call. My name is Carl Birkhead, I’m an Oklahoma felony defense attorney with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy. Call for a low-cost initial strategy session at 918-879-1681.
