Indecent or Lewd Proposals to a Minor in Oklahoma and Criminal Defense
Oklahoma child molestation law outlines varying types of lewd acts with minors, and it explicitly forbids indecent or lewd proposals to a minor under the age of 16, Oklahomas age of consent. Anyone accused of asking or attempting to persuade a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity may be charged in Oklahoma with lewd proposals to a minor. Oklahoma sex crimes against children, including indecent or lewd proposals, are prosecuted aggressively; therefore, a defendant in such a case should seek counsel from an Oklahoma sex crime lawyer who is fierce and determined in defending his or her clients against charges of indecent proposals to a child.
Oklahoma law expressly forbids both verbal and written lewd proposals. Soliciting a minor online and sending explicit emails or text messages ( sexting ) are some common forms of lewd proposals to a minor in Oklahoma. Furthermore, it is a felony to ask, invite, entice, or persuade a minor under the age of 16 to go to a secluded or secret place with the intent of committing sexual acts, or lewd acts with a minor.
One key element of Oklahoma lewd acts law is that the perpetrator of the alleged crime must knowingly and intentionally make a sexual proposal or commit sexual a sexual act. An experienced Oklahoma sex crime defense lawyer can dispute either or both of these points, making it difficult for a prosecutor to prove that the defendant had knowledge of the alleged victims age or that the defendant had sexual, lewd, or malicious intent.
Oklahoma Lewd Proposals Defense
Conviction of indecent or lewd proposals to a minor carries harsh and long lasting consequences. Lewd proposals and lewd acts with minors are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. For a second offense, the convicted sex offender is ineligible for parole. If convicted of child molestation a third or subsequent time, the perpetrator may be sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Additionally, those convicted of Oklahoma indecent or lewd proposals to a minor may be required to register for life as an Oklahoma sex offender. Being labeled as an Oklahoma sex offender severely limits your freedoms, restricting the places you can live, work, and visit.
If you have been accused of a sex crime against a minor, it is important to immediately seek help from experienced criminal defense attorneys who have a solid and continuing record of successful sex crimes defense. The expert litigators at Phillips & Bailey P.C. are skilled Oklahoma lewd acts criminal defense lawyers who have the resources necessary to fight the criminal charges and to protect the rights of those accused of Oklahoma sex crimes.
