Child molestation is a serious crime in Oklahoma. Our criminal defense attorneys will work diligently to protect your legal rights.
Being accused of child molestation in Oklahoma is one of the most serious allegations a person can face, and a child molestation conviction is typically associated with devastating and long-lasting penalties. In addition to severe judgment passed by the public, a person found guilty of child molestation, child sexual abuse, child pornography, or lewd or indecent proposals or acts with a minor in OK may face life-changing penalties. Under Oklahoma law, punishment for child molestation charges may include a significant prison sentence, loss of freedoms, hefty fines, mandatory registration with the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry, and possibly even a death sentence for repeat offenders. If you are facing charges for child molestation or another sex crime involving a minor in Oklahoma, contact our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center immediately. You should never assume that the situation will resolve itself; our skilled and knowledgeable defense lawyers can help you protect your legal rights and build a strong defense in your case.
Child Molestation Described
According to Oklahoma Statutes, child molestation involves engaging in sexual acts with minors under the age of 18. Under Oklahoma law, child molestation charges may include exposing genitalia, touching private parts, taking pornographic pictures, inducing a child to commit sexual acts, or incest by a relative with a minor family member, among other sexual acts perpetrated against a minor by another person. Child molestation is a serious offense in the state of Oklahoma, and the crime is prosecuted aggressively. In fact, Oklahoma is one of the few states in the country that has approved the death penalty for some individuals convicted of multiple child molestation offenses.
Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is very similar to child molestation, except that sexual abuse of a child may also include actual physical harm against the victim. Sexual abuse of a child is one of the most devastating sex crimes in Oklahoma, due largely to the fact that prosecutors, welfare agents and investigators typically assume that the accused individual is guilty based solely on the alleged victim’s claims, long before any type of legitimate legal judgment takes place. Furthermore, in an effort to protect the safety of potential victims, the rights and freedoms of any person accused of child sexual abuse in Oklahoma are sometimes restricted before a conviction is even dealt, possibly resulting in the accused being removed from his or her home and requiring supervision when visiting with his or her own children.
Child Pornography
Not only is child pornography considered a sex offense by Oklahoma authorities, but it is also considered a federal sex crime. Federal law defines child pornography as any “visual depiction” of a child under the age of 18 engaged in sexually explicit activity. In Oklahoma, child pornography can include photographs, film, pictures, a computer file, a computer-generated image or a video that either shows a minor engaging in a sex act, or that has been modified so that it appears the minor is engaging in such acts. Under Oklahoma law, penalties for producing, downloading, distributing and possessing child pornography are aggressive; a child pornography conviction in Oklahoma is punishable by up to 20 years in a state or federal prison and a considerable fine of up to $25,000. Oklahoma Statutes require that those convicted of child pornography serve at least 85% of their prison term before even becoming eligible for parole, and the offender must also register as an Oklahoma Sex Offender.
Lewd/Indecent Proposals or Acts with a Minor
Soliciting a minor or making lewd or indecent proposals to a child is considered a sex crime under Oklahoma law, and is accompanied by stringent and long-lasting penalties, even if no sexual contact ever actually occurs. This particular sex crime is considered a felony offense in Oklahoma, regardless of whether the attempt to invite or persuade a minor to perform sexual acts or to go to a secluded place with the intent of engaging in sexual activity is made online, through the use of a cell phone (“sexting”), or in person. If you are convicted of making lewd or indecent proposals to a child, or engaging in lewd or indecent acts with a minor under the age of 16, the felony offense may be punishable by significant time in prison and mandatory compliance with the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry. This requirement is particularly devastating, as it results in severe restrictions on where the convicted offender can live, work and even pass by or participate in recreational activities.
Our Qualified Defense Attorneys Can Help
Sex crimes involving children or minors are some of the most serious offenses in Oklahoma, and lawmakers have taken a strong stance against those convicted on charges of child sex abuse and child molestation across the state. Only a qualified defense attorney can sufficiently protect the civil and constitutional rights of a person accused of child molestation or another type of sex crime involving a minor in Oklahoma. Here at Oklahoma Legal Center, our lead criminal defense attorney has years of experience defending Oklahomans against child sexual abuse and child pornography charges, and will aggressively fight the sex crime charges you are facing. Contact our criminal defense lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center today and our attorneys will work diligently to help you build a strong defense in your case.