In an effort to address Oklahoma’s troubling methamphetamine problem, Governor Mary Fallin recently signed House Bill 2941 into law, a legislation that represents an important step for the state in fighting the battle against meth. Not only will the new law give law enforcement and retailers new tools to fight illegal meth production and sales, …
In an effort to address Oklahoma’s troubling methamphetamine problem, Governor Mary Fallin recently signed House Bill 2941 into law, a legislation that represents an important step for the state in fighting the battle against meth. Not only will the new law give law enforcement and retailers new tools to fight illegal meth production and sales, it will also protect law-abiding citizens’ right to gain access to popular cold and allergy medications containing pseudoephedrine. With the state’s move to crack down on meth-related crime, individuals facing criminal charges associated with methamphetamine stand to be subjected to harsher penalties, including felony sentences and more time in jail. If you have been charged with a meth-related crime in Oklahoma, contact our skilled criminal defense attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options.
Stiffer Laws and Penalties for Meth-Related Crimes
Authored by Rep. David Derby and Sen. Rick Brinkley, HB 2941 represents Oklahoma’s targeted solution to a complex problem. Under the new law, Oklahoma’s electronic blocking technology will work across state lines for the first time, enabling retailers to block more illegal pseudoephedrine sales and provide law enforcement with more far-reaching criminal intelligence regarding methamphetamine crimes. With the new legislation in place, Oklahoma joins a network of 21 other states that use this technology, which has blocked more than two million illegal boxes from being sold in 2011.
Also included in the new meth law are stiffer penalties for meth-related crime. According to the statutes of the legislation, criminals caught making or selling meth will now face felony sentences and longer jail time for their offenses, and individuals caught illegally buying pseudoephedrine on behalf of meth cooks will also be charged with a felony offense. Oklahoma lawmakers hope this new legislation will help give police officers in the state a leg up on meth crime.
Contact an OK Criminal Defense Attorney Today
The signing of this new bill was the culmination of several weeks of intense debate, in which some advocated for a more extreme prescription-mandate approach. However, lawmakers came away with a more reasonable solution that works to balance the rights of law-abiding Oklahoma citizens and the need for aggressive law enforcement. Although Oklahoma still faces a challenging battle against the illegal production and distribution of methamphetamine, the new legislation represents a significant step for the state. If you or a loved one is facing meth-related criminal charges in Oklahoma, your first course of action should be to contact our experienced OK criminal defense attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center. As Oklahoma lawmakers and law enforcement officials work to crack down on meth-related crimes, those charged with these offenses will face harsh, life-changing penalties. With the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma City, individuals facing charges for meth-related crimes can significantly improve their chances of a favorable outcome.