In Wagoner County the criminal charge Interfering with an Emergency Call is more common then many people think. An interesting fact is that it is often committed during other potential crimes. A good example is the Oklahoma appeals case of Barton v. State. A woman who was attempted to escape her drunken husband reached for her cell phone. Her husband knocked it from her hand and physically beat and restrained her from reaching the phone. When she made an attempt to crawl for the phone he strangled her until she lost consciousness.
Elements of Interfering with an Emergency Call:
Oklahoma law defines “interference” under Okla. Stat. tit. 21 §1211.1. Essentially, any person who purposefully keeps another person from making an emergency call is interfering. The offender must do this willfully, as an accidental interference is not actual interference. If you face charges of interference, but did not intentionally keep someone from calling for emergency help we strongly suggest you seek legal counsel. These charges are serious and may result in fines and also jail time.
Oklahoma Penalties for Interference:
Interfering with an Emergency Call is a misdemeanor offense. Generally, Oklahoma penalizes misdemeanor with up to 1 year imprisonment. This particular crime can also result in a fine up to $3,000. Oftentimes, employment applications will ask for you to disclose any misdemeanor charges in your past. So, if you receive a conviction of interfering—whether it is fair or not—you may have to tell a potential employer. Clearly, this could cause future problems for your livelihood and employment opportunities.
Read about other crimes sometimes related to interfering with an emergency call.
If You’ve Been Accused of Interfering With an Emergency Call We Can Help
If you face charges in Oklahoma of Interfering with an Emergency Call, give us a call. Our attorneys have years of experience in legal defense. We understand that situations have different perspectives. Don’t let a misdemeanor charge like this haunt you for years to come. Call us today at 918.283.7398 for a free consultation or for more information regarding or Wagoner attorneys read our attorneys blog.
