Imagine you’re sleeping in your bed and hear rustling in your home. You grab your gun and walk out of your bedroom only to find an intruder, also armed with a gun, going through your belongings. You yell at the burglar to get out, and he raises his gun. Without hesitation, you fire your weapon in self-defense in Oklahoma.
So, what happens now?
Oklahoma recognizes the justified use of deadly force under 21 O.S. § 733 and the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law, 21 O.S. § 1289.25, which allows individuals to protect themselves without a duty to retreat when facing a threat of death or serious bodily harm. Still, the immediate aftermath of a shooting is overwhelming and legally complex, even when the law is on your side.
At Jacqui Ford Law, we guide clients through these high-stress situations with care and clarity. Our criminal defense legal team, led by Jacqui Ford, understands what you’re going through and is prepared to help you every step of the way. Below is what you need to know in the moments, days, and weeks after a self-defense shooting.
What Do You Do in the Immediate Aftermath of a Self-Defense Shooting?
The immediate aftermath requires extremely quick thinking at a time when your body is shaking and full of adrenaline. Here’s what you need to do:
- Make sure the person you shot is no longer a threat.
- Call 911 immediately. Tell them there’s been a shooting, how many people are injured, and request an ambulance.
- Do not leave the scene.
- Identify any witnesses and make sure they remain on scene to provide statements.
- Do not touch or move evidence. Securing the scene helps avoid accusations that you tampered with evidence.
- When police arrive, surrender your weapon and keep your hands visible at all times.
When officers ask what happened, you should remain cooperative but limit your statements. You can say:
- Someone went after you with a weapon
- You defended yourself
- You will give a full statement after speaking with an attorney
Oklahoma law on justifiable force, 21 O.S. § 643, may ultimately support your case, but any statement you give too early can be used against you later.
What Happens Next?
What happens next depends on whether you were arrested at the scene:
Sometimes, when the incident is an obvious case of self-defense, you won’t be taken away in handcuffs or detained.
If you leave the scene in handcuffs and are taken to a police station, again, do not answer any more questions or submit written statements before talking privately with an attorney.
If you and your attorney decide to give a statement later, keep in mind that:
- Your statements must remain completely consistent throughout the investigation.
- Prosecutors will look for contradictions and use them against you.
What Happens in the Weeks and Months After the Shooting?
Even if you weren’t arrested that night, you can still be charged later.
- Investigations may last weeks or months.
- Prosecutors will evaluate physical evidence, witness testimony, and your account of what happened.
- Your attorney may need to argue that your actions were justified under Oklahoma self-defense statutes, including the Stand Your Ground protections.
Despite knowing you acted in self-defense, proving justification in a courtroom can be challenging. Prosecutors may try to convince a judge or jury that the shooting was a crime, while your attorney will work to show that you reasonably feared death or great bodily harm.
A defense lawyer with years of experience and knowledge in these cases is essential for navigating this trauma-filled and complex process.
Contact Jacqui Ford Law Today
If you or someone you love is in need of criminal representation, contact the office of Jacqui Ford today. Self-defense shootings carry enormous emotional and legal weight, and you should never face them alone.
Contact us at 405-604-3200 today to schedule your free and confidential initial consultation with Jacqui.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I be arrested even if it was clearly self-defense?
Yes. Even in situations where the threat seems obvious, officers may still detain or arrest you until they finish their initial investigation. Self-defense isn’t automatically accepted — it has to be proven.
2. Should I talk to the police officer at the scene?
You should remain polite and cooperative, but avoid giving detailed statements. It’s appropriate to say you were attacked, defended yourself, and that you will speak fully after consulting with an attorney.
3. Will I be charged if the other person dies?
Possibly. A self-defense claim does not prevent prosecutors from filing charges; it simply provides a legal justification that must be proven. Your attorney will work to show that deadly force was reasonable under Oklahoma law.
4. What if the intruder didn’t have a gun but had another weapon?
Deadly force may still be justified if you reasonably believed you were at risk of death or great bodily harm. Oklahoma’s self-defense statutes do not limit threats strictly to firearms.
5. Should I talk to the intruder’s family or insurance company afterward?
No. Anything you say can be misinterpreted or used against you later. Direct all communication to your attorney.
6. How long do self-defense investigations usually take?
It varies. Some cases resolve within weeks, while others take months as prosecutors review evidence, witness statements, and forensic reports. Staying patient and closely following your lawyer’s guidance is essential.
