In late March of 2019, a man was arrested after being accused of breaking into a mobile home and shooting another man multiple times. He now faces charges of first-degree murder.
First-degree murder is taken extremely seriously in Oklahoma. Viewed by the justice system as the worst crime a person could commit, it carries the harshest penalties in the state. Those charged of first-degree murder may feel helpless, but there are defenses available that can provide hope.
Every state has legal requirements for a couple to get married. They typically include applying for and obtaining a marriage license that recognizes the legal marriage. However, some states also recognize common law marriages. A common law marriage is one in which both parties have voluntarily agreed to enter into a marriage and hold themselves out to be married, but have not formally sought legal recognition of their union.
When many people think of the Stand Your Ground law, they often think about Florida. This law in the Sunshine State was an issue of great debate during the 2013 trial of George Zimmerman after he shot Trayvon Martin. However, Florida’s not the only state that has a Stand Your Ground law. Other states do as well, including Oklahoma.
In June of 2018, Oklahomans voted on, and passed, medical marijuana legislation. In response to that legislation, the Oklahoma State School Boards Association made a major policy change. Now, certain eligible students will have access to medical marijuana during the school day. While it may sound surprising to some, the decision was agreed upon unanimously by the board earlier this year.
Among the many criminal reform bills on the table, Oklahoma lawmakers are currently considering a bill that would change the definition of possession with intent to distribute, otherwise known as a PWID. The lack of a definition has caused PWID charges to increase by 20 percent. It’s a problem some lawmakers say has been happening since simple possession charges were dropped to a misdemeanor from a felony. Senate Bill 421 would change that and provide clear definitions for a PWID charge.