As soon as possible.  They can help guide you through any possible interviews with law enforcement, show up to any future bond hearings, and go with you to your very first court date. While it isn’t unusual to wait until you have been charged to hire an attorney, the sooner you can get an attorney to look at your case and guide you through the process, the better.

We handle most criminal defense matters, as well as some related cases. This includes obtaining or defending a protective order, expungements, and drivers license appeals.

Simply put - we have the experience and dedication to our clients to help you get the best result. As a former Prosecutor, Sabah Khalaf knows from experience what tactics the Government will use to argue cases and will use that experience to aggressively defend your case. You don't have to take our word for it - check out our 

We always recommend that you consult with an attorney immediately to make sure that your rights are preserved. Specifically, you will need to apply for a DPS hearing within (30) days from the date of the arrest to avoid forfeiting your driver's license automatically. You should also retain any documentation that you have been provided by the arresting officer and bring it with you when you meet with us.

We really think so - that's why we started helping people with them. Research shows that people with expunged records see a major increase in employment opportunities, salary, and benefits. Successfully expunging your record entitles you to say that you do not have a criminal record when asked, such as on job applications. You can’t be compelled to share your record and you can’t be denied a job or housing for refusing to show an expunged record. More importantly, our clients tell us they feel a huge sense of relief from not having a past mistake hanging over their head.

Yes, as long as you understand that we would be their attorney and not yours. Despite being the one to pay for the representation, our obligation is to our client (your loved one).

Yes, while a traffic ticket is a small matter, it is technically a criminal charge. We help defend against most criminal charges-especially driving related criminal matters.

When should I hire a defense attorney?

What type of cases do you handle? 

Simply put - we have the experience and dedication to our clients to help you get the best result. As a former Prosecutor, Sabah Khalaf knows from experience what tactics the Government will use to argue cases and will use that experience to aggressively defend your case. You don't have to take our word for it - check out our reviews page or our Google reviews.

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I've been arrested for DUI. What do I do now?

Is it worth it to get an expungement?

Can I hire you to help on a family member’s case?

Will you handle traffic tickets?

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We’ve all made mistakes and bad decisions. Sometimes, those mistakes lead to an arrest or criminal charges. But, 

getting arrested is not the same as a conviction

. If you've been accused of a crime, the State still has to prove it -- but your rights aren't asserted automatically. That's why you need an advocate like Sabah in your corner who can protect your interests.

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Distribution of a controlled substance is a serious felony in Oklahoma.  If you’ve been charged with this crime, everything you need to know is in this article.

Charged with Distribution of a Controlled Substance: Now What?

Under Oklahoma law, it is illegal “To distribute, dispense, [or] transport with intent to distribute … a controlled dangerous substance.” The same law also covers drug possession with intent to distribute, making it unlawful to “possess with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled dangerous substance.” While the two offenses are covered under the same law, we’ll focus specifically on distribution of a controlled substance in this article.

What Is Distribution of a Controlled Substance?

Oklahoma uses the same definitions for controlled dangerous substances as defined by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA):
- Schedule I drugs include heroin, MDMA (ecstasy), psilocybin (mushrooms), LSD, GHB, and PCP. Marijuana is also a Schedule I drug, but falls under different laws thanks to State Question 788, which created a medical marijuana program in Oklahoma.
- Schedule II drugs include amphetamines (like Adderall and Ritalin), cocaine, fentanyl, methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and methamphetamine.
- Schedule III drugs include Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, testosterone, and many types of steroids.
- Schedule IV drugs include benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium, and Ativan), Ambien, and Tramadol.
- Schedule V drugs have very limited amounts of narcotics, like Robitussin AC.

It’s also illegal to distribute counterfeit or imitation controlled dangerous substances, which usually means imitations of prescription drugs. If you present the drug as real, the consequences are the same.

What Is a Controlled Dangerous Substance?

Distribution, covered under the legal definition of “deliver,” means “the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer from one person to another of a controlled dangerous substance or drug paraphernalia, whether or not there is an agency relationship.” It excludes administering drugs to patients and research subjects (i.e. where there is a doctor-patient relationship), as well as dispensing drugs on the lawful order of a practitioner (i.e. prescriptions).

What Is Distribution?

You don’t need to have a certain amount of drugs in order to be charged with distribution of a controlled substance. There’s no minimum – the charge is based on your actions with the drug, not the amount of drug.

On the other hand, a trafficking charge requires that you possess large amounts of drugs, like 28 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of heroin, or 30 tablets or 10 grams of MDMA. Aggravated trafficking charges require you to be in possession of even more drugs. The punishment is harsh: There’s a mandatory minimum of 15 years for aggravated trafficking.

What is Distribution vs. Trafficking?

The punishment for distribution of a controlled substance is the same regardless of the schedule of the drug. It’s always a felony and is punishable by:
- Up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine for the first offense
- A minimum of 2 and maximum of 20 years in prison for the second offense
- A minimum of 10 years and maximum of life in prison for the third offense

If you use someone under the age of 18 to distribute drugs, distribute drugs to them, or distribute drugs in the presence of anyone under the age of 12, the punishments are even more harsh:
- A minimum of 2 and maximum of 10 years in prison for the first offense
- A minimum of 4 and maximum of 20 years in prison for the second offense
- A minimum of 10 years and maximum of life in prison for the third offense

What’s the Punishment for Distribution of a Controlled Substance?

You might have noticed that the penalties for distribution of a controlled substance are very broad. For example, you could receive no prison time or 10 years in prison for your first offense. So how much time will you really serve? The answer depends on many factors, including:
- The amount of drugs you distributed
- Who you distributed them to
- The consequences of the distribution, like if someone was hurt
- Your past criminal history

Because drug distribution is a felony, you’re not likely to receive a deferred sentence, which would mean your charges are dismissed after you serve probation. You may be able to take a plea deal with a suspended sentence, which means you plead guilty, but you’ll get probation instead of going to jail. However, it’s likely that you’ll serve some jail time, especially if you have any arrests or convictions in your recent past.

How Much Time Will I Serve?

In any criminal case, the state needs to prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. For distribution of a controlled substance, they need to prove that you:
- Knowingly and intentionally;
- Distributed, transported with intent to distribute, or solicited someone under 18 to distribute;
- A controlled dangerous substance.

There are also a lot of things that the state doesn’t need to prove, like:
- A certain amount of drugs was involved
- The quantity was traceable or had an effect on the nervous system
- Money was exchanged or a sale was made

Giving someone any amount of illegal drugs, even sharing with them, is enough to be charged with distribution of a controlled substance.

What Does the State Need to Prove?

If you’ve been charged with distribution, the first thing to do is contact a criminal defense attorney with experience in drug cases. An attorney can help you in many ways, even if it seems like the state has an airtight case against you. They can always advise you of your rights and what you should say (and should not say) to the police. They may also be able to:

Get evidence thrown out: If law enforcement didn’t have probable cause to search you or didn’t follow proper procedure with the evidence (like improperly analyzing it or not following chain of custody), your attorney might be able to get it thrown out.

Question the reliability of witnesses: Many distribution of controlled substance cases rely on the testimony of witnesses who may not be very trustworthy. Your attorney can cast doubt on their testimony.

Challenge other elements of the case: There may be evidence that you didn’t “knowingly” distribute the drugs or that you were simply near the illegal substances, rather than in control of their distribution. A good attorney will explore all possible defenses.

Negotiate a plea deal: The punishment for distribution of a controlled substance isn’t set in stone. With your attorney’s help, you may be able to plead to a lesser charge or receive a lesser sentence.

An experienced criminal defense attorney is key to getting the best outcome in your case. Don’t wait until you’re charged – hire an attorney as soon as you’re caught with drugs.

What to Do If You’ve Been Charged With Distribution of Controlled Substance

Get a breakdown of the definitions, sentencing, and parole options for the different degrees of murder in Oklahoma, all of which hinges on severity and intent.

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From The Blog

Murder Charges in Oklahoma: What to Do Now

Charged with Distribution of a Controlled Substance: Now What?

Degrees of Murders: What’s the Difference Between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd?

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