Norman Criminal Lawyer

Criminal Lawyer Norman, OK

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime in Norman, what happens next matters more than what happened before. The decisions you make in the first days after an arrest can shape the outcome of your entire case, from whether you sit in jail waiting for trial to whether certain evidence gets thrown out before a jury ever sees it.

Our criminal lawyer Norman, OK defends clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Cleveland County District Court. We offer free consultations for all criminal defense matters. Reach out to discuss your case.

Why Choose Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC for Criminal Defense in Norman, OK?

Oklahoma Criminal Defense Experience

Attorney Braden Turner has five years of criminal defense experience in Oklahoma courts. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2016 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2020. Braden is licensed to practice in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Kentucky, and he is a member of the Oklahoma County Bar Association.

His practice covers the full range of criminal charges filed in Cleveland County, from DUI and drug possession cases to felony charges that carry years in the Department of Corrections. He understands how the Cleveland County District Attorney’s office handles plea negotiations, preliminary hearings, and trial preparation.

Proven Defense Results

Results matter in criminal defense. Our firm has secured case dismissals in serious criminal matters, including drug trafficking charges. We have obtained not-guilty verdicts in domestic violence cases involving felony strangulation charges. Every case is different, but the preparation and strategy we bring to each one is consistent.

Free Consultations

We provide free consultations for all criminal defense cases in Norman. That conversation gives you a clear picture of the charges against you, the potential penalties, and the defense options available. You should not navigate the criminal justice system without understanding where you stand.

What Our Clients Say

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Alicia McLean made a bad situation comfortable. She let us know what would happen every step of the way always keeping us in the loop. She was very knowledgeable and was always compassionate and knowing what our needs were. Our situation was resolved quickly. Alicia exceeded our expectations.” – Susan Carlsen

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Criminal Cases We Handle in Norman

Criminal charges in Oklahoma range from traffic infractions and misdemeanors to violent felonies. The penalties you face depend on the specific charge, your prior criminal history, and the facts the prosecution can prove. We defend Norman clients against a broad range of criminal charges in Cleveland County.

• DUI/DWI. Oklahoma treats impaired driving seriously. A first-offense DUI can mean up to one year in county jail, fines, license suspension, and mandatory substance abuse treatment. Repeat offenses carry significantly harsher consequences, including felony penalties and prison time in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
• Drug crimes. Possession charges, distribution, trafficking, and prescription drug offenses all fall within our practice. Oklahoma drug penalties vary widely depending on the substance, the quantity, and whether the prosecution alleges intent to distribute.
• Domestic violence. Domestic assault and battery charges carry mandatory consequences including potential jail time, protective orders, and mandated treatment programs. A conviction permanently affects your criminal record and your custody rights.
• Assault and battery. Simple assault in Oklahoma is punishable by up to 30 days in jail. Assault and battery carries up to 90 days. Aggravated charges involving serious injury or a dangerous weapon are felonies with much steeper penalties.
• Theft and property crimes. Larceny, burglary, robbery, and fraud charges all carry different penalty ranges depending on the value of property involved and the circumstances of the alleged offense.
• Expungement. If you have a prior conviction or dismissed charge on your record, you may be eligible to have it sealed. We handle expungement petitions in Cleveland County and throughout central Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Legal Requirements for Criminal Defense

Oklahoma’s criminal code is found in Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The code classifies all crimes as either felonies or misdemeanors. A misdemeanor is any offense punishable by up to one year in county jail. A felony carries potential imprisonment in the Department of Corrections for more than one year, up to life, or in certain cases, the death penalty.

Oklahoma passed the Sentencing Modernization Act of 2024, which created a new classification system for felonies ranging from Class Y (first-degree murder) through Class D3 for less serious offenses. This system affects sentencing ranges and is still being implemented across Oklahoma courts, including Cleveland County.

The right to counsel is guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In Oklahoma, anyone facing criminal charges that could result in incarceration has the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, the court will appoint a public defender. But hiring a private criminal defense attorney in Norman gives you the ability to choose who represents you and how your case is handled.

Oklahoma also has specific rules about probation violations and the 85% rule, which requires individuals convicted of certain violent crimes to serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Understanding how these rules apply to your specific charges is critical to making informed decisions about plea offers and trial strategy.

Statutes of limitation also play a role. Most felonies in Oklahoma have no statute of limitations, meaning charges can be filed years after the alleged offense. Misdemeanors generally carry a one-year filing window. The timeline for your specific charge matters, and it’s one of the first things a criminal attorney in Norman will evaluate.

Important Aspects of a Norman Criminal Case

The Arrest and Booking Process

After an arrest in Norman, you are typically booked at the Cleveland County Detention Center. You’ll be photographed, fingerprinted, and held until bond is set. Bond amounts vary based on the severity of the charge, your criminal history, and whether the judge considers you a flight risk or a danger to the community. Getting out quickly matters, and an attorney can argue for reasonable bond conditions at your first appearance.

Preliminary Hearings and Arraignment

In felony cases, Oklahoma law requires a preliminary hearing where the prosecution must show probable cause that a crime was committed and that you committed it. This hearing is one of the most important stages of a criminal case because it gives your defense attorney an early look at the prosecution’s evidence and witnesses. Misdemeanor cases typically proceed straight to arraignment, where you enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

Evidence and Suppression Motions

How evidence was obtained often determines whether it can be used against you at trial. If police conducted an illegal search, failed to read Miranda warnings before a custodial interrogation, or mishandled physical evidence, your attorney can file a motion to suppress that evidence. Successful suppression motions can gut the prosecution’s case and sometimes lead to dismissal.

Plea Negotiations vs. Trial

The vast majority of criminal cases in Cleveland County are resolved through plea agreements. But accepting a plea deal is not always the right decision. Some offers carry consequences that may not be obvious at first, like sex offender registration requirements, immigration consequences, or professional license revocations. We evaluate every plea offer against the strength of the prosecution’s case and the potential outcome at trial before advising our clients on how to proceed.

Sentencing and Alternatives

If a case results in a conviction, sentencing in Oklahoma can include jail or prison time, probation, fines, community service, restitution, and mandatory treatment programs. Deferred sentencing allows a defendant to complete probation and have the charges dismissed upon successful completion. Suspended sentences allow a portion of the sentence to be served on probation rather than behind bars. Understanding which sentencing alternatives are available in your case can significantly affect your future.

The Long-Term Impact of a Criminal Record

A criminal conviction in Oklahoma follows you. It shows up on background checks for employment, housing, and education. Certain convictions disqualify you from owning firearms under federal law. Professional licenses in healthcare, education, and law enforcement may be revoked or denied. A felony conviction can affect your parental rights in custody proceedings. And for non-citizens, even a misdemeanor conviction can trigger deportation proceedings.

Contact Lai & Turner Law Firm PLLC

Criminal charges in Norman deserve a serious defense. Whether you are facing a first-offense misdemeanor or a multi-count felony indictment, the stakes are high and the process moves fast.

We offer free consultations for all criminal matters in Cleveland County. Our attorneys will review the charges against you, assess the evidence, and explain your options so you can make informed decisions about your defense. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a Norman criminal defense attorney.