The consequences and complexities that a criminal charge can bring are many, and in such a critical and time-sensitive situation, a defendant needs a lawyer who will deliver aggressive and effective legal defense.
As an accomplished Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Lawyer, I have built my practice providing clients with top quality legal representation in both state and federal criminal defense cases. My firm has earned the respect of my colleagues, and the trust of my clients.
I fight tirelessly to protect the legal rights of criminal defendants throughout Oklahoma, and with my firm's resources and legal talent, I will help you secure the justice you deserve.
Contact my firm today if you or a loved one needs strong legal defense for any of the following:
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The Constitutions of the United States and the State of Oklahoma guarantee citizens, including criminal defendants, certain basic rights. These include:
- Right to Counsel
- Right to Remain Silent
- Right to be Free From Unreasonable Searches or Seizures
- Right to Bail
- Right to Subpoena Witnesses
- Right to a Speedy and Public Trial
- Right to a Trial by Jury
- Right to a Unanimous Verdict
- Right to be Free from Subsequent Trials (Double Jeopardy)
- Right to Appeal
- Right to Due Process of Law, and the
- Right to Equal Protection Under the Law.
My firm is dedicated to the protection of these rights, and to the success of your case. Whether you’ve been involved in a DWI, or require legal defense against a violent crime charge, my firm will be your trusted ally, provide legal services at fair and reasonable rates, and ensure that you are treated with the respect and fairness you are entitled to.
If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer, call L. Justin Lowe today at 405-200-1388, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation. My firm also provides legal services related to Civil Law, Personal Injury, and Medical Malpractice.
When Mr Lowe is in court or meeting with clients, you will talk to Abbi Elliott. She can help you assemble all of the preliminary information you will need.
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions
Felony Crimes:
Felony Crimes involve drug and narcotics charges, arson, burglary, armed robbery, murder and/or attempted murder, rape and/or sexual assault, kidnapping and aggravated assault and battery. A felony conviction is a serious matter that can result in a substantial state prison sentence and the potential loss of certain privileges and Constitutional rights of U.S. citizenship, such as the right to possess a firearm or the right to vote.
Misdemeanors:
Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.
Assault and Battery:
Assault and battery is the combination of two crimes: assault (the threat of violence) and battery (actual physical violence). The main distinction between the two offenses is the existence or nonexistence of touching and/or contact. While contact is an essential element of battery, there must be an absence of contact for assault. If the victim has been actually touched by the person committing the crime, then battery has occurred. If the victim has not actually been touched, but only threatened, then the crime is considered to be assault.
Burglary and Robbery:
Burglary is defined as the unlawful entering of a building with intent to commit a felony or to steal valuable property. Robbery is also a specific intent crime, requiring both theft and a form of violence or threat of violence used to deprive someone of their property. A common example of a robbery is a convenience store holdup, wherein a robber threatens to shoot a cashier unless the cashier hands over money.
Sex Crimes:
Sex crimes can include such charges as: Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Date Rape, Failure to register (as a Sex Offender), Indecent Exposure, Internet Porn, Lewd Conduct, Marital Rape, Molestation, Obscenity, Pedophilia, Pornography, Prostitution, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sodomy and Statutory Rape. Many sex crimes are considered felonies and require convicted defendants to continually register themselves as publicly recognized sex offenders with the local and state authorities where they live and work. Charges of sexual misconduct carry extremely serious penalties and these crimes are commonly punished more severely than any other crime except murder. Sexual misconduct is seldom witnessed by anyone other than the accuser and accused and the risk of conviction of an innocent person is drastically higher in these cases.
DWI/Driving While Intoxicated:
"DWI" stands for Driving While Intoxicated and occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, a DWI conviction stays on a DMV record for several years, it typically results in higher insurance premiums, and an offender may become ineligible for credit.
Drugs and Narcotics Charges:
Drugs and Narcotics laws have tried to keep up with the changing perceptions and real dangers of substance abuse. By 1970, over 55 federal drug laws and countless state laws specified a variety of punitive measures, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty. To clarify the situation, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 repealed, replaced, or updated all previous federal laws concerned with narcotics and all other dangerous drugs.
Most states have laws that give different treatment to possession of different categories of drugs (i.e. prescription drugs, marijuana, crystal methamphetamine), and also make a distinction in the offense charged as to whether a small amount of the drug was found with the defendant (personal use) or a larger amount (intent to sell or distribute, trafficking). A conviction on a drug charge of any magnitude, even a small amount of marijuana, can seriously affect your present and future employment chances, your education, your reputation and your freedom.
Traffic Crimes:
Traffic crimes are specifically addressed in state statutes. The complex body of law that regulates the operation of motor vehicles on the streets and highways can be difficult to interpret and apply. Examples of traffic crimes include reckless driving, aggressive driving, drag racing, and driving with a suspended license.
Driving with a Suspended License:
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is considered a crime, and can result in heavy fines and possible jail time. At worst, it may be considered a felony, and the offender could end up in state prison or with an obligation to perform many hours of community service. The penalties are typically heaviest if the license suspension or revocation was the result of a conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI/DWI).
Driver’s License Revocation:
Typically, a driver’s license will not be revoked for one or even two traffic tickets resulting from a moving violation such as speeding, running a stoplight or stop sign. However, if the offense is extremely reckless and/or if the driver has had previous convictions for moving violations in the past, his or her license may be revoked or suspended. If the driver is charged with drunk driving, reckless driving, or is involved in a hit-and-run, the defendant’s license may be suspended for a year or more.
Domestic Violence:
Domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between people who may be married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated or dating. Domestic violence can be criminal and include physical assault: hitting, pushing and shoving, etc., sexual abuse: unwanted or forced sexual activity, and stalking. Domestic violence charges can have a serious impact on your life.
White Collar Crimes:
High-tech professionals, corporate executives and clergy who are criminally charged for offenses such as corporate theft, counterfeiting, embezzlement, forgery, hacking, fraud, tax evasion or bad checks are often referred to as "white collar" offenders and are prosecuted for white collar crimes. In some cases, first-time offenders are convicted and sent to prison, even with no prior criminal history. An arrest and conviction for one of these crimes can have a serious impact on your life.
Appellate and Post Conviction:
In an appeal, an appellate court reviews the record of the pre-trial and trial proceedings for legal errors. The record includes the court file, the court reporter's transcript and the evidence and exhibits introduced in the trial court. In general, an appellate court does not consider information that is not contained in the record.
A post-conviction petition is the general name for what is called a "collateral attack" on a conviction. In federal court, they are called habeas corpus petitions. By using a post-conviction petition, a defendant generally can bring evidence before the reviewing court that was not part of the record on appeal, and in this way raise issues that would otherwise not be reviewed.
If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer, call L. Justin Lowe today at 405-200-1388, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation.
If you or someone you know needs the skilled legal representation of an experienced Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer, call L. Justin Lowe today at 405-200-1388, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation.
Attorney L. Justin Lowe
L. Justin Lowe was born in Mustang, Oklahoma, February 22, 1973. He was admitted to the Oklahoma bar in 2001.
Mr. Lowe was also admitted to practice before the Tenth Circuit U.S Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Oklahoma, Eastern District of Oklahoma and Western District of Oklahoma.
Preparatory education completed at Oklahoma City University, B.S. in Criminal Justice, 1995. Legal education completed at Oklahoma City University School of Law, J.D. in 2000.
Mr. Lowe is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association and the American Bar Association, The Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association, and The Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Areas of specialization include Criminal Law, Civil Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury.