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Oklahoma Alcohol Laws for Underage Drinkers

Oklahoma Alcohol Laws for Underage Drinkers

Oklahoma has a number of alcohol laws for underage drinkers. If you are under age 21 and planning to drink or charged with an alcohol-related crime, or if you are a parent worried about your child’s drinking, learning about these laws could be very important. Minors Can’t Buy or Possess Alcohol – Even Low-Point Beer Anyone under age 21 cannot purchase alcohol in any public place in the state, even if it is a low-alcohol-content beer or wine cooler. Even being in possession of alcohol in public places is illegal. (37 O.S. §§ 241, 163.2(1).) This means if a minor is sitting...

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Child Endangerment and Drunk Driving

Child Endangerment and Drunk Driving

Driving drunk with a child in the car can have serious consequences. In Oklahoma, not only can drivers be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, but they can face increased sentences and child endangerment charges. Oklahomans receive child endangerment charges frequently because their children are in the backseat while they drive drunk. Under Oklahoma law, child endangerment occurs when a parent, guardian, or person who has custody or control of a child either: Is the driver, operator, or person in physical control of a vehicle who is driving under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating substance while transporting...

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Sentence Enhancements for Drug Crimes Involving Children

Sentence Enhancements for Drug Crimes Involving Children

In Oklahoma, committing drug crimes that involve children leads to increased jail time and penalties. Specifically, the criminal sentence for the underlying crime will be doubled or tripled, with other restrictions imposed. This is known as a sentence enhancement. Drug court judges may impose sentence enhancements for people who use minors to distribute or transport drugs, for people who distribute drugs near schools, and for people who possess or buy drugs near schools or in the presence of young children. The enhancements emphasize the state’s focus on keeping drugs away from children under age 18 – both for safety reasons and...

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