DUI Crimes in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has some of the toughest laws in the nation for driving under the influence (DUI). Even a first-time offense can bring serious penalties that affect your freedom, license, and future. Repeat offenses or cases involving injuries or death can result in felony convictions and long-term imprisonment. Understanding Oklahoma’s DUI laws—and how they differ depending on the severity of the offense—is essential for anyone charged with or concerned about a DUI-related crime.

Under 47 O.S. § 11-902, it’s illegal for any person to drive, operate, or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, any intoxicating substance, or a combination thereof. The base legal limit is 0.08% blood alcohol concentration (BAC), but drivers can be arrested even below that level if impairment is observed. Oklahoma law enforcement agencies and prosecutors treat DUIs aggressively, and recent legislative updates have made several aggravated forms of DUI felony-level offenses.

The following overview explains the most common DUI-related crimes in Oklahoma and how The Urbanic Law Firm approaches defending individuals charged under each of these laws.

DUI – Misdemeanor & Felony

The first DUI with no aggravating factors is charged as a misdemeanor. Subsequent DUIs, if within 10 years of the end of the sentence of the previous DUI, will be charged as felonies. 

Aggravated DUI in Oklahoma

An Aggravated DUI occurs when a person drives with a blood or breath alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15% or higher. This offense, defined in 47 O.S. § 11-902(D), was recently elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony under Oklahoma’s latest DUI law revisions. A conviction can result in significant jail time, probation with supervision, alcohol treatment programs, and mandatory ignition interlock device installation on any vehicle operated by the offender.

Because aggravated DUI is now classified as a felony, the long-term consequences extend beyond criminal penalties—affecting employment, firearm rights, and future professional licensing. A skilled defense can challenge the breath or blood test procedures, machine calibration, or the officer’s certification to conduct testing.

Personal Injury While DUI

When a DUI-related crash causes bodily harm to another person, the offense escalates to DUI with Personal Injury under 47 O.S. § 11-904. The severity of the injury dictates whether the case is prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony. Prosecutors must prove the defendant was under the influence and that this impairment was a direct cause of the collision and resulting injuries.

Penalties for DUI with personal injury may include:

• Up to five years in prison
• Restitution to victims
• Mandatory substance abuse treatment
• Ignition interlock requirements

In many cases, “personal injury” DUIs are stepping stones to greater felony enhancements—especially when prosecutors argue that the harm qualifies as “great bodily injury.”

Defending these cases requires a deep understanding of accident reconstruction and causation principles. A defense attorney may challenge whether the alleged impairment actually caused the crash, particularly when other drivers or road conditions contributed to the event.

DUI Resulting in Great Bodily Injury

When a DUI causes great bodily injury to another person, Oklahoma law treats the incident as a violent felony. “Great bodily injury” is defined as any injury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes serious permanent disfigurement, or results in long-term impairment of health or function. 

The stakes in these cases are extremely high. A conviction can lead to:

• Up to 20 years in the Department of Corrections
• Heavy fines and restitution orders
• Mandatory alcohol and drug treatment
• Permanent felony record 

Prosecutors rely heavily on forensic toxicology reports, accident reconstruction, and witness testimony. Effective defense involves challenging the state’s evidence—especially the scientific validity of the blood or breath test and the chain of custody of biological samples. Defense counsel can also bring forward expert witnesses to show that injuries resulted from other causes or that impairment was not the direct cause of harm.

Child Endangerment DUI

Driving under the influence with a child in the vehicle is considered a form of Child Endangerment under 21 O.S. § 852.1. This felony offense occurs when a parent, guardian, or other person responsible for a child’s welfare knowingly permits or causes a child to be in a situation that endangers the child’s life or health—including by driving impaired or allowing another intoxicated person to drive with the child present.

Penalties include:

• Up to four years in prison
• Fines of up to $5,000
• Mandatory parenting and alcohol education courses
• Possible involvement from the Department of Human Services (DHS)

Child endangerment DUI cases carry intense emotional and legal stakes. Prosecutors often frame these cases as “child protection” matters, which can result in parallel family court investigations or loss of custody. An experienced Oklahoma DUI attorney can work to separate the criminal allegation from exaggerated claims of parental unfitness and ensure due process is followed in both criminal and administrative proceedings.

Death Resulting from DUI

If a person dies as the result of a DUI-related crash, the charge may escalate to First-Degree Manslaughter or even Second-Degree Murder. A person who kills another while driving under the influence faces up to life in prison.

First-Degree Manslaughter in DUI cases typically involves negligence or recklessness—where the driver unintentionally caused the death but did so through an unlawful act such as impaired driving. Second-Degree Murder charges can arise when prosecutors allege “depraved mind” conduct, such as extremely high BAC levels, prior DUI convictions, or fleeing law enforcement while intoxicated.

In these cases, every aspect of the prosecution’s evidence must be scrutinized—from field sobriety tests to accident reconstruction to toxicology results. Defense strategy may involve showing that intoxication did not directly cause the fatality or that the death was the result of an unforeseeable chain of events. The Urbanic Law Firm works closely with forensic experts and investigators to expose weaknesses in the state’s causation theories.

Other DUI-Related Offenses and Enhancements

Oklahoma law also provides for several companion and enhancement statutes that can increase punishment for DUI-related behavior, including:

• Actual Physical Control (APC): Being in control of a vehicle while intoxicated, even if it’s not moving, is punishable under the same statute as DUI (47 O.S. § 11-902).
• Refusal to Submit: Refusing a lawful blood or breath test can lead to automatic license revocation and may be used as evidence of guilt in court.
• Commercial Vehicle DUI: A commercial driver faces disqualification for a single DUI offense, even if driving a personal vehicle.
• Impaired Driver Accountability Program (IDAP): Oklahoma’s IDAP allows certain drivers to avoid license suspension by installing an ignition interlock device and completing program requirements.

Defending DUI Charges in Oklahoma

Every DUI case is unique. A successful defense depends on examining the evidence, identifying procedural errors, and challenging the reliability of testing methods. The Urbanic Law Firm focuses on comprehensive DUI defense strategies that include:

• Evaluating whether the initial traffic stop was lawful
• Challenging field sobriety test procedures
• Reviewing calibration and maintenance records for breathalyzer machines
• Analyzing blood test collection and chain of custody
• Cross-examining officers for inconsistencies in their observations
• Filing motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence

In many cases, a strong defense can result in reduced charges, deferred sentences, or even complete dismissal. Legal defenses often hinge on constitutional violations, lack of probable cause, or technical deficiencies in test administration.

The Urbanic Law Firm has successfully defended numerous clients facing all levels of DUI charges. We understand both the criminal and driver’s license implications and guide clients through every step, including IDAP enrollment, administrative hearings, and court proceedings.

Contact The Urbanic Law Firm

If you’re facing any DUI-related charge in Oklahoma, act quickly. You typically have only 30 days to challenge your license suspension. Contact The Urbanic Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation.

Phone: (405) 633-3420
Address: 625 NW 13th St Suite B, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

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FAQs about Oklahoma DUI Crimes

Contact The Urbanic Law Firm

If you’ve been charged with DUI or any other criminal offense in Oklahoma, contact The Urbanic Law Firm today. Call 405-633-3420 or fill out our form.
Based in Oklahoma City and serving clients statewide.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Every case is unique; consult an attorney about your specific situation. Page last updated November 6, 2025. Consult the statutes listed above for the most up-to-date law.