In Tulsa, Oklahoma, it is illegal to make threatening or harassing phone calls.
The law covers the use a telephone or other electronic communications device to:
- make indecent or otherwise obscene comments, suggestions, or requests;
- harass, intimidate, or threaten another; or
- put someone else in fear of injury or death.
Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1172
Harassing Phone Calls Law
Oklahoma law makes it illegal to call, text, leave voicemail or other such messages, fax, page, send emails, post on social media, or use any other electronic platform or app in such a manner as would qualify as threatening, harassing, stalking, or engaging in any sort of other behavior outlawed by the statute.
It is expressly illegal to make repeated calls with the intent of harassing the recipient of the calls. It is also illegal to make repeated contacts in concert with others.
Finally, you may not permit or allow or facilitate any such communication to occur.
Domestic Stalking in Oklahoma
The penalties for stalking and harassing using an electronic device or telephone can be severe.
The first offense is generally charged as a misdemeanor and any subsequent offense is charged as a felony. If convicted, you could spend up to a year in jail, or pay a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Okla. stat. tit. 21 § 1173
If such stalking or harassing behavior is in violation of a protective order or a parole order, or if the person engaging in this behavior was sentenced within the past 10 years for harassing the same person(s), then the matter is charged as a felony offense. The penalty is up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.
Subsequent violations are punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Finally, the law expressly defines harassment as a pattern or course of conduct which is:
- directed toward another;
- includes repeated, non-consensual contact; and
- causes a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress.
It includes all of the types of contact enumerated in Okla. stat. tit. 21 § 1172, but is not limited to those types of contact.
Strategy Session with a Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
Making threatening or harassing phone calls or text messages is a crime that can have serious repercussions. Electronic devices leave a digital trail. If you are being charged under one of the above statutes, you could spend years in prison.
It is important that you hire an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney. A local attorney will know the court system and judges in the area and will know how best to deal with the local system.
Do not delay. Our initial consultation is free.
Call Wirth Law Office – Tulsa at 918-879-1681 or toll free at 1-888-Wirth-Law (1-888-947-8452). You can also submit the question form at the top right of this page.
We pride ourselves on providing our clients with excellent representation at reasonable prices.
