Understanding the Timeline of a Criminal Case in Tulsa
How long does a criminal case usually take in Tulsa? Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa misdemeanor defense attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for about eight years now, and I want to help you make law easy by just talking about what kind of timeline you’re looking at if you’ve been charged with a crime in the state of Oklahoma.
The Process for Misdemeanors in Tulsa
Let’s focus specifically on misdemeanors for now since the process differs from felonies, and I want to keep things clear and streamlined.
In an ideal world, you could resolve a misdemeanor — either through a plea or dismissal — within 30 days. But in reality, that’s rarely the case. At a minimum, you’re looking at two, possibly three court settings before a resolution. These typically include:
Initial Appearance & Arraignment – Your first court date. Sounding Docket – This is where the court determines if the case will proceed to the plea, be set for trial, or be dismissed. In most cases, we need discovery (evidence from the state) before making any decisions.
Understanding Court Hearings and Delays
Allen Hearing – If discovery isn’t complete, the case gets reset for an Allen hearing, which happens about a month later. Each time the case is reset, it usually gets pushed out by another month. So from arraignment to sounding docket, that’s a month. From sounding docket to Allen hearing, another month. If discovery is provided promptly and negotiations are productive, you might be able to resolve things in about two months.
However, delays in obtaining evidence are common, meaning your case could be reset for multiple Allen hearings until everything is available. Once discovery is complete, you’ll have to decide whether to accept a plea deal or take the case to trial.
Realistic Timelines and Legal Guidance
Realistically, you’re looking at a minimum of 30 days, but it can take up to six months — and that’s assuming you’re not going to trial. While it can feel like a slow process, taking the time to do it right ensures your rights are protected. If you have questions or aren’t sure where you stand in the process, give us a call.
Schedule Your Low-Cost Initial Strategy Session
My name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal defense attorney with Wirth Law Office, and I want to help you make law easy. For personalized guidance and to discuss your case, schedule a low-cost initial strategy session with us today. Call 918-879-1681 to get started.
