Tulsa Attorney BlogCategory: Criminal Law

143 Articles:

• Tulsa Criminal Attorney Discusses Medical Marijuana on KJRH Channel 2

  By staff, September 24th, 2018

  Tulsa criminal attorney James M. Wirth told KJRH Channel 2 that colleges and universities that prohibit marijuana on campus after medical marijuana was legalized usually do so because they receive federal funds, campus policies often reflect federal mandates. Under federal law, marijuana remains illegal, and schools risk loss of federal money if their policies accommodated medical marijuana.

• Sentencing Reform Drives Applications to Commute Sentence in Oklahoma

  By James M. Wirth, Esq., August 13th, 2018

  Changes in Okalahoma sentencing laws for drug crimes and non-violent property crimes have created a favorable environment for those who submit an application to commute sentence to the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. While far more commutations in Oklahoma are denied than are passed, recently reduced penalties that make prior penalties seem excessive are among the reasons board members have approved a growing number of applications to commute sentences in recent years.

• ‘Lackadaisical Attitude’ Drives Oklahoma’s High Wrongful Conviction Rate

  By staff, August 10th, 2018

  Oklahoma ranks seventh in the nation for wrongful convictions since 1993. A commentator alludes to Wild West justice where attitudes toward life and liberty reflect a lackadaisical mindset. But why did a nationally recognized political commentator decide to spotlight the 7th ranked state for wrongful convictions now?

• Washington Co. Judge Faces Suspension, Removal on Misconduct Allegations

  By staff, August 7th, 2018

  Oklahoma Supreme Court Alleges “Oppression in Office” Whispered complaints about a Washington County judge’s misconduct toward defendants and attorneys appearing in his court have swirled for months. Now, things are spilling into the light. Washington County District Judge Curtis DeLapp has been notified of a proposed temporary suspension by the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary’s […]

• Can the Government Open Your Mail Without a Warrant?

  By James M. Wirth, Esq., June 20th, 2018

  Federal law prohibits opening mail without the recipients permission, but law enforcement agencies use a variety of methods to find out what goes through the mail. Sometimes, police seek a warrant but they can ask the post office to record all letters sent to an address with no warrant. On at least one occassion, investigators illegally opened packages to find out if there was anything inside work seeking a warrant about.

• Oklahoma Sentencing Reform Offers Non-Violent Offenders a Second Chance

  By James M. Wirth, Esq., May 22nd, 2018

  Faced with budget shorfalls and growing prison populations, Oklahoma lawmakers in 2018 reduce sentences for non-violent property crimes, extended opportunies for parole, made probation slightly easier to complete and allowed some lifers to plea for sentence modifications.

• New Law Makes it Easier to Expunge Criminal Records in Oklahoma

  By staff, May 4th, 2018

  An Oklahoma expungement reform that takes effect Nov. 1, 2018 reduces waiting periods and eliminates pardon requirements before individuals may seek expungement of criminal records. The reform affects those previously convicted of no more than one non-violent felony offense.

• Tulsa Municipal Jail Now Houses Overnight Inmates

  By James M. Wirth, Esq., March 12th, 2018

  The City of Tulsa ended a funding dispute with the county sherrif by opening a city jail. When the city jail exceeds capacity. the city now sends excess inmates 40 miles away, to a frequently overcrowded jail in Okmulgee County.

• Bill Would Abolish the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals (Part 1)

  By James M. Wirth, Esq., January 26th, 2018

  A bill in the 2018 Oklahoma legislature would let voters decide whether the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals should be abolished. Among 50 states, only Oklahoma and Texas have separate appeals courts for criminal and civil matters. Defense attorneys say the split has resulted in a prosecution friendly appeals court that is sometimes blithe indifference to its own precedents.

• Will Move to Abolish the Oklahoma Criminal Appeals Succeed? (Part 2)

  By James M. Wirth, Esq., January 26th, 2018

  A proposal to let voters decide the future of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals might face an uphill battle in the legislature. Oklahoma lawmakers have had a chilly relationship with the Oklahoma’s other appeals court, which could take on the work of the criminal appeals court if voters approved the measure.