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Being arrested for assault or any violent crime in Oklahoma City is overwhelming. It can happen fast — one moment you’re arguing with someone outside a restaurant in Bricktown or Midtown, or trying to break up a confrontation in your neighborhood in Edmond or Moore. The next thing you know, someone calls the police, and you’re being questioned under bright lights, handcuffed, and taken downtown to the Oklahoma County Jail.
Even if you believe it was all a misunderstanding, or that you acted in self-defense, Oklahoma prosecutors are under enormous pressure to be tough on violent crime. The District Attorney’s Office for Oklahoma County is aggressive in pursuing these cases, and local judges rarely want to appear lenient when it comes to charges involving violence. That means you could be facing serious jail or prison time, crushing fines, and a permanent criminal record that follows you for the rest of your life.
These cases are also deeply personal. They impact your reputation in the community, your ability to keep your job or advance in your career, and even your relationship with your children. That’s why it’s absolutely critical to take charges like these seriously from the very beginning. The sooner you have an experienced Oklahoma City assault and violent crimes lawyer on your side, the more opportunities we have to protect your rights, uncover the truth, and build a strong defense aimed at safeguarding your future.
Oklahoma law lays out a wide range of offenses that fall under the umbrella of violent crimes. The most common charges we see in Oklahoma County courts include:
Under Oklahoma Statute Title 21 § 641, assault is defined broadly. It includes any intentional attempt or threat of force or violence against another person, paired with the apparent ability to carry out that threat. This means you don’t even have to physically touch someone to be charged with assault.
When physical contact does occur, it becomes assault and battery under Title 21 § 642. This is generally charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in the county jail and fines up to $1,000.
If the alleged victim suffers serious bodily harm — such as broken bones, significant injuries requiring hospitalization, or permanent disfigurement — the charge is elevated to aggravated assault and battery under Title 21 § 646. Using a weapon or committing an assault against certain protected people, like police officers or elderly individuals, can also lead to aggravated charges.
Aggravated assault and battery is a felony, carrying penalties of up to five years in state prison and thousands in fines.
When the alleged victim is a spouse, partner, someone you live with, or a family member, the case is typically charged under Oklahoma’s domestic violence statutes. Even a minor incident — like grabbing someone’s arm during an argument — can lead to an arrest.
A first offense is usually charged as a misdemeanor, but a second offense becomes a felony, carrying up to four years in prison. If children were present or serious injury occurred, the penalties are even harsher.
Under Title 21 § 645, assault with a dangerous weapon involves using or threatening to use a weapon — even a pocket knife or heavy object — during an altercation. This is a felony that can carry up to ten years in prison. The mere presence of an object that could be construed as a weapon can escalate simple assault into a much more serious felony charge.
Oklahoma prosecutors also aggressively pursue cases of robbery, burglary with assault, resisting arrest with violence, kidnapping, and attempted murder. Each of these comes with lengthy prison sentences and life-altering consequences.
Many people understandably focus on the immediate threat of jail or prison. But the impact of a conviction for assault or any violent crime in Oklahoma reaches far beyond your initial sentence.
Most assault and violent crime charges arising in Oklahoma City are prosecuted at the Oklahoma County District Court, located in downtown Oklahoma City. If your arrest occurred in Norman, Edmond, Moore, or another nearby community, it might be handled in Cleveland County or Canadian County. Each court has its own prosecutors, judges, and typical approaches to these cases.
After your arrest, you’ll generally have a first court appearance called an arraignment, where the judge formally informs you of the charges and sets bail conditions. Often, especially in domestic or serious assault cases, the court will impose no-contact orders or protective orders preventing you from communicating with the alleged victim or returning to your own home.
From there, the case moves into pretrial hearings, where your lawyer will:
Your attorney may file motions to suppress evidence if your rights were violated — for example, if police conducted an illegal search, failed to read your Miranda rights, or obtained statements through improper pressure.
If the case cannot be resolved through dismissal or negotiation, it will proceed to trial. At trial, the prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Your defense lawyer’s job is to highlight inconsistencies, challenge witness credibility, and create reasonable doubt so jurors cannot convict.
Not long ago, we represented a college student in Norman who was charged with aggravated assault after an incident outside a fraternity party. The alleged victim claimed our client hit him repeatedly, causing a broken nose. By securing security footage from nearby houses and gathering witness statements that contradicted the police report, we convinced the DA’s office to drop the felony charge entirely.
In another case, a father was charged with domestic assault with a dangerous weapon after allegedly swinging a baseball bat during a heated argument with his brother-in-law. Through careful review of body cam footage and highlighting inconsistent statements from the alleged victim, we negotiated a reduction to a simple misdemeanor with no jail time and minimal probation.
We also defended a woman accused of assaulting her ex-boyfriend in Moore. Police reports painted her as the aggressor, but by pulling phone records and uncovering threatening texts from the ex, we demonstrated he was the one initiating confrontation. The state dismissed the case on the eve of trial.
Every case is different, but we approach all of them by building a customized defense strategy tailored to the facts. Some of the most effective defenses include:
Oklahoma law under Title 21 § 733 and the state’s “Stand Your Ground” doctrine allows you to use reasonable force to protect yourself or someone else if you reasonably believed force was necessary to prevent imminent harm.
If both parties willingly engaged in a physical confrontation, the state often struggles to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that our client was the sole aggressor.
Many assault charges require that you intentionally threatened or caused harm. If it was accidental contact or your actions were misunderstood, this can be a complete defense.
It’s not uncommon for people to fabricate or embellish stories, especially during breakups, custody disputes, or neighborhood feuds. We thoroughly investigate motives, inconsistencies, and patterns that undermine credibility.
If officers violated your constitutional rights — by detaining you without reasonable suspicion, searching your home without a warrant or valid exception, or coercing a statement — we can file motions to exclude that evidence, which often guts the state’s case.
Our team leaves no stone unturned. We examine 911 call logs, interview witnesses overlooked by police, bring in experts on injuries when necessary, and track down video footage from nearby businesses or homes that could prove what actually happened.
You want a defense lawyer who isn’t just familiar with the law in general, but who knows the specific practices in Oklahoma County and surrounding courts. We’ve spent years representing clients accused of assault, battery, and other violent offenses in Oklahoma City, Moore, Edmond, Norman, and across the county. We know the local prosecutors, how they typically handle plea negotiations, what kinds of defenses persuade local juries, and how each judge tends to run their courtroom.
That local insight gives us a huge advantage when it comes to anticipating the state’s approach, finding negotiation opportunities, and avoiding common pitfalls that could escalate penalties unnecessarily.
Just as importantly, we understand how emotionally and financially devastating these charges are for you and your family. From the start, we keep you informed, answer your questions in plain language, and give you honest assessments of your options. We’re not here to sugarcoat or push you into quick plea deals. We’re here to fight for the very best possible outcome.
If you’ve been arrested for assault, battery, or any violent crime in Oklahoma City:
Instead, call an experienced Oklahoma City assault and violent crimes lawyer immediately. The sooner we get started, the more options we have to build your defense, negotiate effectively, and keep the charges from wrecking your future.
A violent crime charge doesn’t have to define your life. With the right defense, you can protect your freedom, your family, and your future. Our experienced legal team stands ready to thoroughly investigate your case, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, and fight tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome — whether that’s reduced charges, a dismissal, or a not guilty verdict at trial.
Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your side, review your case details, and start developing a defense strategy tailored specifically to your situation. When everything you care about is on the line, you deserve more than just another lawyer. You deserve a dedicated team that will stand by you every step of the way.
Connecting with our firm means working with a proven legal team that defends people just like you, across the country, with clarity, urgency, and unmatched results.
Let’s fight for your freedom. Get your free case review today.
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