stillthelaw:

The Insurrection Counties, & Their Sympathizers

  The early days of our state were filled with talk of wars. Sure there was talk of Indian Tribes ‘on the war path’ but there was also talk of war against Texas. Another concern was them county governments and the need to bring them into submission to the state.

  Here’s how the state legislature created some ‘get tough’ language to deal with rebel counties. But this law was update just 18 years ago!

§21-539. Resisting execution of process in time of insurrection.

Any person who, after proclamation issued by the Governor declaring any county to be in a state of insurrection, resists or aids in resisting the execution of process in the county declared to be in a state of insurrection, or who aids or attempts the rescue or escape of another from lawful custody or confinement, or who resists or aids in resisting a force ordered out by the government to quell or suppress an insurrection, shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for not less than two (2) years.

R.L. 1910, § 2251. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 209, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 117, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 209 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

stillthelaw:

Criminal Asset Forfeiture Is Generally Prohibited

  Even when crimes have been committed and guilt has been established, Asset Forfeiture is generally illegal, in Oklahoma.

   Our first legal code was established in 1910. And unless a specific crime has a stated statutory penalty of the loss of property used in that crime or gained through the illegal activity; there is to be a protection of property rights for the convicted individual. Treason is the one exception stated in this matter.

§21-68. Conviction does not work forfeiture.

No conviction of any person for crime works any forfeiture of any property, except in the cases of any outlawry for treason, and other cases in which a forfeiture is expressly imposed by law.

stillthelaw:

Flag Felonies In Oklahoma

  There’s something about a red flag that sets off a ‘red flag’ with lawmakers. They still have a felony statute on the books which brings a maximum 10 year prison sentence. But even criticizing the laws of Oklahoma can get you locked up.

  Here’s a snippit:

    "Any person in this state, who shall carry or cause to be carried, or publicly display any red flag or other emblem or banner, indicating disloyalty to the Government of the United States or a belief in anarchy or other political doctrines or beliefs, whose objects are either the disruption or destruction of organized government, or the defiance of the laws of the United States or of the State of Oklahoma, shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the Penitentiary of the State of Oklahoma for a term not exceeding ten (10) years, or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by both such imprisonment and fine.“

§21-371. Use in advertising prohibited.

Any person or persons, corporation or company, who shall use the flag or the coat of arms of the United States, or any pattern, imitation or representation thereof, either by printing thereon, or attaching thereto, any advertisement or device for the purpose of gain or profit, or as a trademark or label, shall be guilty of misdemeanor.

Laws 1919, c. 72, p. 113, § 1.

§21-372. Mutilation, treating with indignity or destroying flag - Definitions.

A. Any person who shall contemptuously or maliciously tear down, burn, trample upon, mutilate, deface, defile, defy, treat with indignity, wantonly destroy, or cast contempt, either by word or act, upon any flag, standard, colors or ensign of the United States of America, shall be guilty of a felony.

B. The word “defile” as used in this section shall include public conduct which brings shame or disgrace upon any flag of the United States by its use for unpatriotic or profane purpose.

C. The terms “flag”, “standard”, “colors”, or “ensign” of the United States as used in this section shall include any picture, representation or part thereof which an average person would believe, upon seeing and without deliberation, to represent the flag, standard, colors or ensign of the United States of America.

Added by Laws 1919, c. 72, p. 113, § 2. Amended by Laws 1967, c. 298, § 1; Laws 1971, c. 1, § 1, emerg. eff. Feb. 17, 1971; Laws 1997, c. 133, § 176, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 176 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§21-373. Penalty for violation of Section 372.

Any person, corporation or company violating any provision of Section 372 of this title, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or by imprisonment for not more than three (3) years, or both, in the discretion of the court.

Added by Laws 1919, c. 72, p. 113, § 3. Amended by Laws 1967, c. 298, § 2, emerg. eff. May 9, 1967; Laws 1997, c. 133, § 177, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 94, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 177 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§21-374. Display of red flag or emblem of disloyalty or anarchy.

Any person in this state, who shall carry or cause to be carried, or publicly display any red flag or other emblem or banner, indicating disloyalty to the Government of the United States or a belief in anarchy or other political doctrines or beliefs, whose objects are either the disruption or destruction of organized government, or the defiance of the laws of the United States or of the State of Oklahoma, shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the Penitentiary of the State of Oklahoma for a term not exceeding ten (10) years, or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by both such imprisonment and fine.

Added by Laws 1919, c. 83, p. 133, § 1, emerg. eff. April 2, 1919. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 178, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 95, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 178 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999..

§21-375.  Raising certain flags over tax-supported property prohibited - Penalty.
A.  It shall be unlawful and constitute a misdemeanor for any person to place, hoist, raise or display any flag, standard, colors or ensign upon or over any publicly owned tax-supported property or premises except roads, streets, highways, stadiums or arenas in the State of Oklahoma, except:
1.  The flag, standard, colors or ensign of the United States of America;
2.  The flag of any nation formerly having dominion over the land now comprising the State of Oklahoma or any portion of said land;
3.  The official flag of any of the fifty states of the United States;
4.  An Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building commemorative flag;
5.  The official flag of any municipality in this state;
6.  The Boy Scouts of America flag;
7.  The Girl Scouts United States of America flag;
8.  The American Red Cross flag;
9.  The American Ex-Prisoner of War flag;
10.  The POW/MIA flag; and
11.  Such other flags as may be approved by the governing board or agency having control over said public property.
B.  Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Added by Laws 1971, c. 79, § 1, emerg. eff. April 16, 1971.  Amended by Laws 1987, c. 54, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1987; Laws 1996, c. 4, § 2, emerg. eff. March 12, 1996; Laws 2003, c. 107, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2003

stillthelaw:

Four Legal Ways to Be A Bigamist, In Oklahoma

  Bigamy remains illegal in Oklahoma. That’s no surprise. But there are 4 situations where the bigamist will not be prosecuted.

1. Any person whose husband or wife by a former marriage has been absent for five (5) successive years without being known to such person within that time to be living; nor,
2. Any person whose husband or wife by a former marriage has absented himself or herself from his wife or her husband and has been continually remaining without the United States for a space of five (5) years together; nor,
3. Any person by reason of any former marriage which has been pronounced void, annulled or dissolved by the judgment of a competent court; nor,
4. Any person by reason of any former marriage with a husband or wife who has been sentenced to imprisonment for life.

§21-881. Bigamy defined.

Every person who having been married to another who remains living, marries any other person except in the cases specified in the next section is guilty of bigamy.

R.L.1910, § 2439.

§21-882. Exceptions to the rule of bigamy.

The last preceding section does not extend:

1. To any person whose husband or wife by a former marriage has been absent for five (5) successive years without being known to such person within that time to be living; nor,

2. To any person whose husband or wife by a former marriage has absented himself or herself from his wife or her husband and has been continually remaining without the United States for a space of five (5) years together; nor,

3. To any person by reason of any former marriage which has been pronounced void, annulled or dissolved by the judgment of a competent court; nor,

4. To any person by reason of any former marriage with a husband or wife who has been sentenced to imprisonment for life.

R.L.1910, § 2440.

§21-883. Bigamy a felony.

Any person guilty of bigamy shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years.

R.L. 1910, § 2441. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 260, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 164, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 260 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§21-884. Person marrying bigamist.

Any person who knowingly marries the husband or wife of another, in any case in which such husband or wife would be punishable according to the foregoing provisions, shall be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding five (5) years, or in a county jail not exceeding one (1) year, or by a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

R.L. 1910, § 2442. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 261, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 165, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 261 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

stillthelaw:

Impugning Unchastity Of A Woman, Is a Crime

Anyone who openly or privately accuses a woman of not being ‘chaste’ is committing a misdemeanor, in Oklahoma. In this case, the the prosecutors do not have to prove that a woman is chaste. They just have to prove that the defendant made the claim that she was unchaste.

§21-779. Imputing unchastity to females - Penalty.

If any person shall orally or otherwise, falsely and maliciously or falsely and wantonly impute to any female, married or unmarried, a want of chastity, he shall be deemed guilty of slander, and upon conviction shall be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail not less than thirty (30) days nor more than ninety (90) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

R.L.1910, § 2387.

§21-780.  Imputing unchastity - Evidence necessary - Defenses.
In any prosecution under the preceding section it shall not be necessary for the state to show that such imputation was false, but the defendant may, in justification, show the truth of the imputation, and the general reputation for chastity of the female alleged.
R.L.1910, § 2389.

stillthelaw:

Deserting A Wife Or Young Child - Is A Felony

Abandoning and not providing for the care of a wife and/or kids (15 & under) is still a criminal act, in Oklahoma.

 Aside from civil court action and divorce court, the dependents can turn to the police and have the man arrested.

§21-853. Desertion of wife or child under 15 a felony.

Every person who shall without good cause abandon his wife in destitute or necessitous circumstances and neglect and refuse to maintain or provide for her, or who shall abandon his or her minor child or children under the age of fifteen (15) years and willfully neglect or refuse to maintain or provide for such child or children, shall be deemed guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for any period of time not less than one (1) year or more than ten (10) years.
 Added by Laws 1915, c. 149, § 1.  Amended by Laws 1923, c. 78, p. 144, § 2, emerg. eff. March 28, 1923; Laws 1997, c. 133, § 253, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 157, eff. July 1, 1999.NOTE:  Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 253 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§21-854. Proof of marriage - Wife as competent witness - Duty of County Attorney to prosecute.
No other evidence shall be required to prove marriage of such husband and wife, or that such person is the lawful father or mother of such child or children than is or shall be required to prove such fact in a civil action, and such wife shall be a competent witness to testify in any case brought under this act, and to any and all matters relevant thereto, including the fact of such marriage and the parentage of such child or children.  It shall be the mandatory duty of each district attorney of this state to diligently prosecute all persons violating any of the provisions of this chapter (Chapter 31, Title 21 O.S.1951), and in all cases where the evidence is deemed sufficient to justify a prosecution for such violation, any district attorney who shall willfully fail, neglect or refuse to institute criminal proceedings to enforce such provisions, shall be subject to removal from office.Laws 1915, c. 149, § 2; Laws 1949, p. 203, § 1.

stillthelaw:

Barratry In the Court!

   Every officer of a court has a duty to refuse a case which is groundless. So why does the practice continue?

  In common law, barratry is the offense committed by people who are “overly officious in instigating or encouraging prosecution of groundless litigation” or who bring “repeated or persistent acts of litigation” for the purposes of profit or harassment.

§21-550. Common barratry defined.

Common barratry is the practice of exciting groundless judicial proceedings.

R.L.1910, § 2262.

§21-551. Barratry a misdemeanor.

Common barratry is a misdemeanor.

R.L.1910, § 2263.

stillthelaw:

Felonies Generally Carry Up To 2 Years In Prison

  When the Penal Code was first established in Oklahoma, the original thinking was that a 2 year sentence was generally as stiff of a punishment as we were going to impose. Now they did intend for specific heinous crimes to carry a tougher sentence, but they specified that a 1-2 year sentence was the default range which judges were to impose, once guilt was established.

§21-1. Title of code.

This chapter shall be known as the penal code of the State of Oklahoma.

R.L.1910, § 2082.

§21-2. Criminal acts are only those prescribed - “This code” defined.

No act or omission shall be deemed criminal or punishable except as prescribed or authorized by this code. The words “this code” as used in the “penal code” shall be construed to mean “Statutes of this State.”

R.L.1910, § 2083.

§21-3. Crime and public offense defined.

A crime or public offense is an act or omission forbidden by law, and to which is annexed, upon conviction, either of the following punishments:

1. Death;

2. Imprisonment;

3. Fine;

4. Removal from office; or

5. Disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit, under this state.

R.L. 1910, § 2084. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 10, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 10 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§21-4. Crimes classified.

Crimes are divided into:

1. Felonies;

2. Misdemeanors.

R.L.1910, § 2085.

§21-5. Felony defined.

A felony is a crime which is, or may be, punishable with death, or by imprisonment in the penitentiary.

R.L. 1910, § 2086. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 11, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 2, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 11 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§21-6. Misdemeanor defined.

Every other crime is a misdemeanor.

R.L.1910, § 2087. R.L.1910, § 2087.

§21-7. Objects of penal code.

This title specifies the classes of persons who are deemed capable of crimes, and liable to punishment therefor. This title defines the nature of various crimes and prescribes the kind and measure of punishment to be inflicted for each. The manner of prosecuting and convicting criminals is regulated by the code of criminal procedure.

R.L. 1910, § 2088. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 12, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 3, eff. July 1, 1999.

NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 12 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.

§21-8. Conviction must precede punishment.

The punishments prescribed by this chapter can be inflicted only upon a legal conviction in a court having jurisdiction.

R.L.1910, § 2090.

§21-9. Punishment of felonies.

Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed by this title, or by some existing provision of law, every offense declared to be a felony is punishable by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not exceeding two (2) years, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

R.L. 1910, § 2090. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 13, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1998, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 2, § 1, emerg. eff. June 19, 1998; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 4, eff. July 1, 1999.

 In Wynona, OK, the bird baths are not allowed to be used in any way for cleaning garments or other textiles.

If your wash tub is left outside and a bird settles upon it, You may be in trouble when you come back out to resume your laundry chores.

We’re still looking for the text of this purported ordinance.