Sexual Battery Defense

Oklahoma Sexual Battery Defense Lawyers

If you or someone close to you has been charged with sexual battery, it is important to seek legal help right away. The consequences of a conviction can have an immediate and lasting impact on your life, but you have the right to fight back.

Sexual battery charges, in particular, can be confusing. What might seem like harmless flirtation or playful behavior may be misinterpreted, and uncomfortable situations may spiral out of control. Hundreds of people are accused of sexual battery every year, and a misunderstanding could become a nightmare for the accused.

When a person is accused and arrested on suspicion of a sex crime like sexual battery, it can feel like the entire world is against them. These cases often receive more media attention than other crimes, and your family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers may act as though the allegations are true before you’ve had your day in court.

That’s why the Oklahoma sex crime defense attorneys at the Wyatt Law Office are so committed to fighting on behalf of our clients. We know the stress, strain, and mental anguish that any criminal charge has on a person’s life, and these types of charges are especially difficult to deal with. We firmly believe that everyone deserves to have their side of the story heard, and we believe you deserve the best possible defense when your reputation, your financial future, and your freedom are at stake.

Oklahoma Laws Against Sexual Battery

If you have been charged with sexual battery, it is critical that you understand the charges against you and the consequences you may face. With that in mind, here is a brief overview of what sexual battery means according to Oklahoma law:

Sexual battery is defined by Oklahoma law 21 O.S. § 1123 (B) as “the intentional touching, mauling or feeling of the body or private parts of any person sixteen (16) years of age or older, in a lewd and lascivious manner.” This becomes a crime in the following circumstances:

1.    The victim did not consent to such behavior
2.    The accused was an employee of the state, county, municipality, or some other political subdivision, and the victim was under their custody
3.    The accused is over 18 and works for the school system (as a teacher, principal, etc.) that is in custody of the victim (who is between 16 and 20)

As used here, “employee of the same school system” means a teacher, principal or other duly appointed person employed by a school system or an employee of a firm contracting with a school system who exercises authority over the victim.

Oklahoma Penalties for a Sexual Battery Conviction

A sexual battery conviction can have a lasting impact on your life. Sexual battery is a felony and is a Level 3 sex crime, which is the highest level in Oklahoma. That means it carries some of the strictest and toughest penalties for sex crimes in the state.

The punishment for sexual battery in Oklahoma can include incarceration of up to ten years in prison. While not every conviction will result in such a long sentence, an aggressive defense could help make sure that the penalties are minimized or the charges against you are dropped completely.

Unfortunately, not only can a conviction mean a term of imprisonment, there are other consequences as well. After the prison term is served, the convicted will be forced to list their name on the Oklahoma sex offender registry. This can lead to difficulty finding employment, renting an apartment, purchasing a house, and other financial and residential difficulties. This can make the punishment for the crime extend far beyond just a prison term. It can ruin lives.

While it may be difficult to see a path forward after being accused of a sex crime, help is out there. By hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney who has successfully defended others accused of these types of crimes, you can rest easier knowing that someone is fighting for you.

How the Wyatt Law Office Can Help You

In a sexual battery case in Oklahoma the burden is on the prosecutor to prove that sexual battery occurred. The prosecutor must prove:

•   Touching occurred between the victim and the accused
•   The contact was intentional on the part of the accused
•   The contact was sexual (in other words, it fits the description of “lewd and lascivious” as described in the law)
•   The victim did not consent or was not able to consent (because they were a minor or other circumstances)

There are many ways the lawyers at Wyatt Law Office can frustrate the prosecutor’s efforts to prove any part of the above. Our lawyers know how to work with the specifics of your case to raise doubts against the prosecutor’s case.

Not all touching, for instance, can be proven, nor is all touching intentional or sexual in nature. Our lawyers can make sure your side of the story is told and is told better than the prosecutor’s.

We can use the full power of the Oklahoma legal system to ensure a jury doesn’t rush off to a judgment that can so seriously harm your long-term prospects or take away your freedom.

Our lawyers, Bob Wyatt and Clint James, have won awards throughout their service as defense attorneys. Mr. Wyatt has been providing the highest quality defenses in Oklahoma for 28 years. He has been a Super Lawyer for the last 10 years and has been listed as among the Best Lawyers in America for just as long. For the last 20 years, his peers have rated him highly through Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. James has been singled out as one of Oklahoma’s Rising Star Super Lawyer defense lawyers in both 2015 and 2017.

These awards were earned by both attorneys through their stellar work in defense of clients facing extremely difficult cases and very serious charges. We are ready to put our experience to work for you, so reach out to us as soon as possible.

Contact the Experienced Sexual Battery Defense Team at Wyatt Law Office

A sexual battery conviction can have a lasting impact on your life, but that conviction is not guaranteed. Hire a lawyer who has successfully handled these types of cases, and who is not afraid to stand by your side during this challenging time. Help is available, and you do not have to face these charges alone. If you have been accused of sexual battery, you can get that quality defense by contacting the Wyatt Law Office at (405) 234-5500, by filling out a contact form, or by chatting with us live. Our consultations are always 100% confidential, and we’re here to listen to you and help you build the strongest defense possible.

*Note: Results may vary because each case must be decided on its own unique facts and the law applicable to that given case. You should not infer the likelihood of success on a given case based on past cases handled by this firm.