The Coleman Law Firm, PLLC

Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorneys

The Coleman Law Firm in Oklahoma City provides representation for a variety of juvenile defense cases in Oklahoma. While many children and young adults face criminal charges, the District Attorney determines whether they will be tried as a juvenile or an adult, which gives the prosecution a great deal of power. To place yourself or your loved one in the best position for success, it’s vital to seek effective legal representation.

The Youthful Offender Act, which was implemented on January 1, 1998, ensures public safety by holding youths accountable for the commission of serious crimes, while also affording courts the ability to determine methods of rehabilitation upon conviction.

The Act defines a “youthful offender” as a person who is:

1. Thirteen (13) or fourteen (14) years of age who is charged with murder in the first degree and certified as a youthful offender.
2. Fifteen (15), sixteen (16), or seventeen (17) years of age and charged with the following:
• Murder in the second degree
• Kidnapping
• Manslaughter in the first degree
• Robbery with a dangerous weapon or a firearm or attempt thereof
• Robbery in the first degree or attempt thereof
• Rape in the first degree or attempt thereof
• Rape by instrumentation or attempt thereof
• Forcible sodomy
• Lewd molestation
• Arson in the first degree or attempt thereof
• Any offense in violation of Section 652 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes
3. Sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age and charged with the following:
• Burglary in the first degree or attempted burglary in the first degree
• Battery or assault and battery on a state employee or contractor while in the custody or supervision of the Office of Juvenile Affairs
• Aggravated assault and battery of a police officer
• Intimidating a witness
• Trafficking in or manufacturing illegal drugs
• Assault or assault and battery with a deadly weapon
• Maiming
• Residential burglary in the second degree after two or more adjudications that are separated in time for delinquency for committing burglary in the first degree or residential burglary in the second degree
• Rape in the second degree
• Use of a firearm while in commission of a felony if the offense was committed on or after January 1, 1998