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Do Drug Penalties Vary by County in Oklahoma?

Do Drug Penalties Vary by County in Oklahoma?

There are 77 counties in Oklahoma, and people convicted of drug crimes may receive varying penalties depending on the county in which they are convicted. It may be surprising to you that state laws about drugs, which supposedly apply to all people in the state, could have uneven application. The reasons for the varying penalties range from geographical to monetary. Geography Alters Charges and Sentences In response to the new law reclassifying drug possession as a misdemeanor, Oklahoma legislators passed another law that makes it a felony to possess drugs within 1,000 feet of a school. (63 O.S. § 2-402.) Rather than...

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Oklahoma Drug Courts Do Not Handle Misdemeanors – Why?

Oklahoma Drug Courts Do Not Handle Misdemeanors – Why?

In Oklahoma, many people arrested for drug charges can seek help in drug court rather than going through the traditional legal process. Surprisingly, you cannot go to drug court if you have only a misdemeanor charge – you must have been charged with a felony. Back in 2016, Oklahomans approved State Question 780, which reclassified drug possession and some property crimes as misdemeanors rather than felonies. For example, possession of opiates is now a misdemeanor. Other drug crimes, such as distribution or trafficking, remain felonies under the law. Unfortunately, Oklahoma’s drug courts do not allow misdemeanor offenders to attend. These courts claim...

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