We protect our children. We want to know that our children are safe when they leave our homes and go off with their friends, to school, or to other activities. Because of that, we treat threats to their safety very seriously.
It can be a hotbed of suspicion when you are facing charges for acts against a child. Sexual crimes in particular and the alleged perpetrators of these crimes are often vilified before they ever go to trial.
If you are facing lewd molestation of a minor under 16 charges in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you are facing some serious consequences.
What is Lewd Molestation of a Minor Under 16?
In Oklahoma, there are statutes that expressly prohibit certain sexual crimes against children. For instance, rape of a child under 14 and child pornography are explicitly defined and prohibited in the state statutes.
There are other Oklahoma statutes that are less well defined and that act as a catch-all for sexual crimes against a child that are not explicitly outlined elsewhere. Lewd or indecent proposals and acts is one such statute. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1123
In particular, the statute against lewd molestation of a minor makes it a felony for any person to knowingly and intentionally make any oral or written proposal for any type of sexual relations or intercourse to any child actually or believed to be under the age of 16.
The statute also names a number of acts and situations that are specifically prohibited besides the propositioning of a child. The language in the statute makes it clear that child molestation, soliciting minors, and any indecent touching or exposure is prohibited.
In addition, the statute prohibits “sexting” and solicitations made in chat rooms and other social media platforms. It prohibits touching, mauling, or even looking at the sexual body parts of a minor in a lewd way.
It prohibits making a child look at pornography. It prohibits making a child watch sexual acts. The statutes against lewd molestation of a minor under 16 prohibits all sorts of sexual acts with a child that are not covered elsewhere in the statutes.
Penalties
Penalties are harsh for convictions of lewd molestation of a minor under 16 in Tulsa. Any person who is convicted faces imprisonment for three to 20 years.
If the child is under 12 years of age, you can be imprisoned for a period of not less than 25 years.
If you are convicted of a second or subsequent violation, you will not be eligible for probation or suspended or deferred sentencing.
If you are convicted a third time, you may be in prison for life or life without parole at the discretion of the court.
These crimes are so volatile that you can feel convicted even before you stand trial.
Initial Strategy Session: Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you know has been accused of lewd molestation of a minor under 16 in Oklahoma, please contact a Tulsa criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Consult with an experienced Tulsa attorney today. Call 918-756-9600.
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