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Oklahoma City Domestic Violence Defense Attorney

If you’ve been charged with or even accused of domestic violence, you may be going through one of the toughest experiences of your life.

You have probably been ordered to stay away from your family and you could be facing jail time, and you may be feeling a sense of anger, confusion, and betrayal.

Domestic violence can be charged in a number of different ways in Oklahoma, but the best way to know what your options are is to hire an experienced Oklahoma domestic violence defense attorney. Our team at Jacqui Ford Law is here to guide you through this difficult time.

If you’ve been charged with or even accused of domestic violence, you may be going through one of the toughest experiences of your life.

You have probably been ordered to stay away from your family and you could be facing jail time, and you may be feeling a sense of anger, confusion, and betrayal.

Domestic violence can be charged in a number of different ways in Oklahoma, but the best way to know what your options are is to hire an experienced Oklahoma domestic violence defense attorney. Our team at Jacqui Ford Law is here to guide you through this difficult time.

Domestic Violence in Oklahoma

One of the first, and most important, things to know is that domestic violence charges in Oklahoma are different from simple assault and battery charges. The difference between them depends on who’s involved.

For domestic violence charges, there has to be some sort of relationship between the victim and the accused. You can’t have a domestic violence charge without the victim or the accused being one of the following:

  • spouse
  • former spouse
  • boyfriend/girlfriend
  • parent
  • some sort of foster parent
  • child
  • some sort of blood relative
  • relative by marriage
  • parent of a mutual child, etc.
  • spouse
  • former spouse
  • boyfriend/girlfriend
  • parent
  • some sort of foster parent
  • child
  • some sort of blood relative
  • relative by marriage
  • parent of a mutual child, etc.

This even extends to someone who’s currently living in a house, even if there’s no familial relationship. So you could even see domestic violence in a roommate situation. Domestic abuse requires some sort of pre-existing relationship before the crime occurs – which makes it different from a simple assault and battery (which could be a bar fight, for example).

Jacqui and her team were amazing throughout my entire ordeal. If you want a bulldog who wants to win more than you do, this is your firm. There are levels to practicing law. Jacqui is one of the top practitioners.”

Travis Skaggs

This is important because when you’re charged with domestic violence, the community and the legislature has decided that that act is much more offensive than the act of getting in a fight with a stranger in a street.

It’s also important to note that many criminal acts in Oklahoma law have a statute of limitations (or the amount of time after an alleged crime occurs that someone can bring about a case) of three years from the date of the crime.

Because domestic violence does not have a specific timeframe listed, it falls under the general three-year limit. This means that a victim cannot come forth more than three years after a domestic violence event and have law enforcement seek charges against you.

Penalties for Domestic Violence in Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s domestic violence laws are found in the same statute as assault laws, but while simple assault and battery is punishable by 90 days in jail, domestic assault and battery generally carries more serious charges: up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000 for the first offense.

Certain characteristics of the offense, however, or repeated domestic violence convictions can quickly elevate it to felony status.

Penalties for felony domestic abuse include:
  • Second or subsequent conviction of domestic abuse: Maximum of 4 years in prison
  • Second or subsequent conviction of domestic abuse of a pregnant woman: Minimum 10 years in prison
  • Domestic abuse of a pregnant woman resulting in miscarriage: Minimum 20 years in prison
  • Domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon: Maximum 10 years in prison
  • Domestic assault and battery with a deadly weapon: Maximum life in prison
  • Second or subsequent conviction of domestic assault and battery in the presence of a child: 1 to 5 years in prison
  • Domestic abuse with prior pattern of physical abuse: Maximum 10 years in prison
  • Domestic abuse by strangulation: 1 to 3 years in prison

Batterer’s Intervention Program

Many defendants facing domestic violence charges in Oklahoma are encouraged to go through a Batterer’s Intervention Program, often referred to as BIP. Some defendants enroll in this program early on in their case in an attempt to secure a more favorable plea deal, but sometimes the program is mandated by the court.

BIP is a 52-week program with weekly classes intended to help defendants take responsibility for their violent actions and creating goals to improve moving forward in a variety of ways, including:

  • Developing healthy strategies for communication
  • Coping with anger, power, control, and other emotional issues
  • Discussing the ways in which domestic violence affects victims
  • Consequences of these type of violent actions

Typically, classes are 90 minutes and done in group settings, and it’s important that attendees show up to the course in order for the program to help with your case or probation agreement. If you violate these terms, you may have to start the course again or face other consequences, as well.

Oklahoma Victim Protective Orders

Sometimes when people are charged with domestic violence, the person who accused them also files for a victim protective order, commonly known as a restraining order.

In Oklahoma, an emergency victim protective order may be assigned at the scene of the arrest. However, this protective order would only be temporary, until a date is set for an actual VPO hearing.

While these types of orders are not criminal convictions, per say, both emergency victim protective orders and regular ones are serious and can carry serious penalties if they are violated.

A first offense for violating a protective order is charged as a misdemeanor. It can carry up to a maximum of one year in county jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.00. A second or subsequent VPO violation is a felony charge that carries a punishment range of 1 to 3 years in prison and a max fine of up to $10,000.00.

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Contact an OKC Domestic Violence Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been accused of domestic violence, it’s best to hire an experienced Oklahoma criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to get started on your case. Call Jacqui Ford Law today for a free initial consultation to learn how we can help. Reach us at 405-604-3200. You can also make an appointment for a completely discreet and entirely confidential appointment by contacting our office online.
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Jacqui Ford Law:

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Invested in your future.

When you’re caught in a tough situation, we’re here to help you get through it together. It’s important that you contact a criminal defense lawyer as SOON as you’re accused so that we can work together and try to get your charges dropped. We’re always available to talk, and we’ll always be honest with you.

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