The Urbanic Law Firm

New Oklahoma laws in 2016 Part IV – Reduction of mandatory minimums for drug offenses

HB 2479 reduces the mandatory minimum sentences for first and second felony drug possessions and lowers the maximum sentence for all felony drug possession charges.

The previous minimum for first-time possession of Schedule I and II drugs (except marijuana) was two years. On November 1, 2016, there will be no mandatory minimum for first-time possession of those drugs. A second violation for possession of those substances changes from 4–20 years to a maximum of ten years. This bill added the following category: a third or subsequent violation for possession of those substances will be 4–15 years. The fine for the third or subsequent violation will be up to $10,000.  The fine of up to $5,000 remains the same for the first possession conviction, and the fine of $10,000 remains the same for the second possession conviction.

Punishment for possession of a Schedule III, IV, or IV substance and marijuana during any probationary term or within 10 years following the completion of the execution of the execution of any sentence or deferred judgement for a drug violation changes from 2–10 years to 1–5 years.

And, in one subsection, it changes the spelling of marihuana to marijuana.

The entire text of the bill can be found here: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2015-16%20ENR/hB/HB2479%20ENR.PDF.

If you or anyone you know has been charged with a drug crime in Oklahoma, call The Urbanic Law Firm at 405-633-3420.