Criminal Law
Facing criminal charges can be overwhelming and confusing. Understanding your rights and the complexities of criminal law is essential to protect your future. Whether you are dealing with minor offenses or serious accusations, having a knowledgeable advocate can make a critical difference. For those seeking trusted guidance, a Tulsa criminal law attorney can help clarify the legal process and outline your options.
If you need legal help, call Wirth Law Office at (918) 879-1681. The experienced Tulsa attorney team at Wirth Law Office understands the stakes involved and works diligently to build a strong defense tailored to your case. Early and effective legal support can reduce uncertainty and protect your rights under Oklahoma law.
Incentives Taint Crime Labs' Forensic Science, Oklahoma Ranks Among Worst
Criminal defense attorneys in Oklahoma are prohibited by rules of professional ethics from charging fees based on results. The same rules don’t apply to the state’s crime labs where employees provide forensic science expertise for the prosecution. Oklahoma is among several states where forensic science is funded by fees levied against defendants upon conviction. Does […] Read more »
Rogers County Sheriff Seeks Grand Jury Investigation of Rogers County District Attorney
A war of words raging among elected officials in Rogers County by way of court filings and public allegations has escalated again. This time, the Rogers County Sheriff and five others filed an unusual motion to authorize a citizens’ petition for a grand jury investigation into allegations against the Rogers County District Attorney, three assistant […] Read more »
Drug Defendants Robbed of Basic Rights By Secret Police
By now most of us know the government is snooping on our telephone and Internet traffic. Reports detailing how the National Security Agency sucks up vast amounts of data generated by routine activities of hapless citizens not suspected of any crime long predate smoking-gun documents leaked this summer by a former NSA worker. In the […] Read more »
Jurors Scold Prosecution in Muskogee Trial
A Muskogee jury issued an unusual post-trial statement after an Aug. 8, 2013 trial, admonishing police and the District Attorney’s office for a “sloppy and incomplete job.” The unusual scolding came at the end of a trial in which Muskogee defense attorney Larry Vickers had defended a man against charges of burglary, assault and battery, […] Read more »
9th Circuit Tosses K9 Nose Witness Testimony
The use of sniffer dogs in criminal court has to be among the most bizarre trends yet to sweep across modern jurisprudence. In some cases, judges have virtually handed their authority over to dogs, allowing police to conduct unwarranted searches based on an officer’s interpretation of their loyal K9’s nuanced behavior. A 9th Circuit Court […] Read more »
Court Ok'd City's 'Too Smart to Be a Cop' Rule
Should you decide to seek work as a police officer in New London, Connecticut – if you’re smart — you might want to bungle a few answers on the IQ test. Too high of a score means you are too smart to be a cop. A New London policy that denied a job offer to […] Read more »
Surveillance Programs Can Be Criminal Defense Windfall
Popular wisdom holds that when government and industry amass trillions of terabytes of data about the routine activities of everyday citizens little good can come of the effort. Two recent cases, however, highlight the potential value of digital archives for defense against criminal charges. The first case raises interesting questions about those millions of domestic […] Read more »
Tulsa Jail Population Dips After Judge Orders 25 Inmates Released
Efforts to reduce the number of inmates in Tulsa jail could bode well for those who have served the majority of a sentence and may be eligible for early release. Inmates detained on questionable grounds may also be due for a welcome surprise. A Sheriff’s Department spokesperson told the Tulsa World jail staff has been […] Read more »
An Oklahoma Debtors Prison: Tulsa Jail Overcrowded by Indebted Inmates
The Tulsa County jail is growing dangerously overcrowded. The facility has exceeded its official capacity for the past eight months. According to a report this month in the Tulsa World, the jail’s population could soon exceed official capacity by nearly 20 percent: 300 more than the 1,700 inmates the jail is designed to hold. What […]
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What is a Tulsa Criminal Justice Lawyer
You might be surprised how much time some Tulsa criminal justice lawyers spend freely answering people’s questions about law. For some of us, it’s a way to let prospective clients get to know us before they retain us as their criminal defense lawyer. Many who approach us with questions are encountering the criminal justice system […] Read more »
Avoiding Wrongful Convictions in Oklahoma: Stopping False Confessions
The Problem With False Confessions If the police suspect you of a crime, don’t expect them to help you. The police are in the business of putting the bad guys in jail. But, what happens when an innocent person has been marked as “the bad guy?” It is here where knowing your rights and knowing […]
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Avoiding Wrongful Convictions in Oklahoma: Eyewitness Identification
After studying the currently known list of wrongful convictions in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Justice Commission has made recommendations to help prevent further wrongful convictions. One of these areas of view, and the topic for today, is Eyewitness Identification. What’s in a Lineup? Before we can begin to discuss the recommendations of the Commission, first, we […] Read more »
In Oklahoma, Excessive Force Banned as Cruel and Unusual Punishment
You might think it’s a well-established principle of modern law. Jailers can’t beat prisoners. Yet when jailers exert excessive force in Oklahoma, it can be difficult for the victim to recover damages. The Oklahoma Supreme Court this week stood up for the rights of citizens not to be abused in jail. The decision handed down […]
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In Contempt of Court Case, An Apology Can Make A Difference
A young Florida woman facing 30 days in jail on felony contempt of court charges salvaged her reputation when she tearfully apologized to a Maimi judge. The judge had ordered the woman to serve 30 days after she cursed and made an obscene gesture in his courtroom. Upon hearing her apology, the judge dropped the […]
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Courtroom Etiquette 101: Don't Flip Off the Judge
A Miami, Florida teen sentenced to 30 days in jail for contempt of court provided a text-book example of how a defendant’s indifference to courtroom etiquette can cause substantial harm to their case. It’s yet another example why defendants do best to have a criminal defense attorney represent them in courtroom procedures. The 18-year-old defendant […] Read more »
Right to Attorney Reinforced in 10th Circuit
Shocked by an unexpected arrest, you assert your right to have an attorney represent you and remain silent. You show a police officer a card that says you don’t want to answer any questions until you talk with an attorney. The card is addressed to police, and bears the name of an attorney. Nonetheless, police […] Read more »
Oklahoma Parole Board Wins Its Own Release
A Constitutional amendment voters approved in November will soon make it easier for thousands of Oklahomans living behind prison walls to be released on parole for non-violent offenses. At the same time, the Oklahoma parole board got a little more freedom, too. Starting in January, the governor will no longer be allowed to second-guess Oklahoma […] Read more »
Court Strikes Portions of Oklahoma Methamphetamine Offender Registry Law
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals this week struck down portions of a law that requires people convicted of methamphetamine-related crimes to submit their names to an Oklahoma methamphetamine offender registry. The portions of the law declared unconstitutional make it a crime for those on the registry to purchase psueduephedrine, or for anyone else to […] Read more »
For Criminal Defense Attorneys, Devil is in the Details
A marijuana case decided this week in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals emphasizes why it is important for criminal defense attorneys to carefully research witness backgrounds and recognize appellate issues even before a criminal case goes to trial. The case involves a retired truck driver facing five years in federal prison over six duffel […] Read more »
Attorney-Client Privilege Violated by District Attorney?
The Attorney-Client Privilege The attorney-client privilege allows people to disclose sensitive matters with their attorney without fear of the information being used against them. As it is imperative that clients be truthful and forthright with their lawyer, the attorney-client privilege is a necessary tradition in the legal world. Lawyers can be punished for violating their […] Read more »
