Oklahoma criminal courts must instruct the jury on the definition of consent in any crime involving any type of sexual contact or behavior where "consent" is an element of the crime or defense raised by the accused. HB 1127 modified 21 O.S. § 112. It went into effect November 1, 2017. "Sexual assault" is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit … [Read more...] about Must Instruct Jury On Definition Of Consent In Sex Crime Cases – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #13
2017
Statute Of Limitations Change For Sexual Crimes Against Children – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #12
Prosecutions for sexual crimes against children must now be initiated by the forty-fifth birthday of the alleged victim. If the victim is 18 years old or older, then the prosecution must now be initiated within 12 years after the discovery of the crime. Previously, prosecution of sexual crimes against children must have been initiated within 12 years after the discovery of the … [Read more...] about Statute Of Limitations Change For Sexual Crimes Against Children – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #12
All Rape By Instrumentation Is Now First Degree Rape – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #11
All rape by instrumentation in Oklahoma is now defined as First Degree Rape by Instrumentation. This law change removes Second Degree Rape By Instrumentation. There is no longer a requirement of bodily harm or consideration of the victim's age for a rape by instrumentation to constitute First Degree Rape By Instrumentation. Prior to November 2017, First Degree Rape By … [Read more...] about All Rape By Instrumentation Is Now First Degree Rape – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #11
Domestic Abuse Victims Can Transfer Wireless Phone Numbers & Utilities – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #10
The petitioner (victim) in a victim protective order may now get their wireless telephone numbers and utility account transferred and billed to themselves without divulging their address to the account holder. This situation may arise when the perpetrator is paying for the victim's service. The bill's goal is to ensure that a petitioner can maintain an existing wireless … [Read more...] about Domestic Abuse Victims Can Transfer Wireless Phone Numbers & Utilities – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #10
Oklahoma Legislature Jacks Up More Fees On Defendants – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #9
Since defendants apparently aren't being charged enough in fees already, our legislature has decided to double the Forensic Science Improvement Assessment. It went to $10 on November 1, 2017. This applies to any person convicted of any offense, including traffic offenses, but excluding parking and standing violations, punishable by a fine of $10.00 or more or by incarceration, … [Read more...] about Oklahoma Legislature Jacks Up More Fees On Defendants – 2017 Oklahoma Laws #9