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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Legal recourse for revoked credits and extended sentence in Oklahoma prison?

My son is in an Oklahoma State prison for first and second-degree burglary, initially set for discharge on June 17, 2025, serving 85% of his sentence. Due to a class X write-up for possessing tobacco and marijuana, his earned credits were revoked, extending his release to July 1, 2026. The prison... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on May 23, 2025

The 85% is a required "minimum" served. It is not a guaranteed release day. The guaranteed release day would be the 100% time served.

They get credits to reduce time served but it cannot lower it below the 85%. It is well within the rights of the institution to give or revoke credits.

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2 Answers | Asked in Libel & Slander, Employment Law and Personal Injury for Oklahoma on
Q: Can I sue for misinformation affecting employment prospects?

I am a police officer, and my integrity is crucial to my profession. My former employer is informing others checking my references that I released confidential information on numerous occasions and could not be trusted. This is not the reason I was told I was terminated. Additionally, other... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on May 23, 2025

One of the most common ways companies get around releasing information is when you fill out an application there is often a consent form or line stating you give permission to the release of information. For example: Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) application process includes a consent... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody and Family Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Can I pick up my children before their father goes to prison without custody agreement?

I am separated from my husband, who is going to prison for two years starting May 26th. We currently don't have any legal custody agreements or court orders. He has taken our children, aged 14, 10, and 8, and moved in with his girlfriend, whom I don't know. I'm concerned about the... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on May 23, 2025

You should seek the assistance of an attorney in this situation as you do not want to put the children in harms way. However, so long as there is nothing from the court stating you cannot have custody of the children, then you have precedence over the girlfriend while the father is incarcerated.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Oklahoma on
Q: Can I use a notarized document to leave heirlooms in Oklahoma?

I am in Oklahoma and want to leave specific heirlooms to chosen individuals after I'm gone. Can I fulfill this wish by putting it in writing and having it notarized instead of creating a formal will or trust? What are the legal requirements and implications of using a notarized document for... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on May 23, 2025

I agree with Mr. Avery - You need to contact an attorney to help you with this. Without a will all possessions become part of the estate and are considered 'equitable value' to the estate for the division per state statute of intestacy. If you have something specific that you want to go... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Traffic Tickets and Real Estate Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Can an apartment tow a car parked in an unmarked accessible spot?

At my apartment complex, my car was towed for parking in an accessible parking spot. However, the specific spot lacked a sign indicating it was reserved for accessibility, even though it had ground markings. The apartment policies mention towing without notice if parked illegally in designated... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on May 23, 2025

In Oklahoma we follow the Federal guidelines for ADA markings. Therefore, for a parking spot to be officially marked as a handicap parking space it has to have the Signage (R7-8 Sign with the bottom edge 60" above the ground) as well as the pavement marking. Otherwise, it does not meet the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law and Criminal Law for Oklahoma on
Q: How can I pursue bigamy charges in Oklahoma with common law marriage evidence?

I have a signed agreement stating that we are common law married and intended to marry in the near future. We have bank statements, a rental agreement, and letters indicating that he referred to me as his wife. We also have statements from neighbors and family confirming that we publicly held... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on May 15, 2025

If there was an intent to have a ceremonial marriage then you cannot be considered common law married. One of the elements of a non-ceremonial marriage (“common law” marriage) is there is no intent to have the ceremony ((even if that is just going before the judge))

Contact a family law...
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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Impact of husband's remarriage during ongoing Oklahoma divorce?

I'm currently going through a divorce in Oklahoma with my husband, who recently went to Arkansas and got married, despite our divorce not being finalized. We jointly own a house, and his new spouse has used our address on their marriage license. I have two children involved, and although the... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on May 11, 2025

Depending on Arkansas law he could face a misdemeanor criminal charge ((though these are not usually prosecuted by the state)) - Oklahoma it is a felony to marry another while being married. Again the state usually doesn’t do anything to prosecute this. However, it will invalidate his marriage... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Traffic Tickets for Oklahoma on
Q: How to sue for 4th Amendment violation in Oklahoma?

I was pulled over in Mount Park, Oklahoma, for having people ride in the back of my truck inside the truck bed. I believe the officer violated my Fourth Amendment rights as, from my research, it's not illegal in Oklahoma to have people ride in a truck bed. Additionally, I was issued a ticket,... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Apr 7, 2025

4th amendment protects from unwarranted searches and seizures. From initial observations, Mountain Park has a municipal ordinance prohibiting this, that is why you did not see it in the Oklahoma Statutes. Furthermore, if the passengers were minors who were not "secured" properly, they... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Child Support and Family Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Week-on, week-off custody without court order, ex trying to enforce child support payments. No income change.

I have been doing week-on, week-off custody with my kids for the last 3 years without any formal court order and no child support payments. However, my ex-partner is now trying to make me pay child support. What are my options or obligations in this situation, considering there has been no change... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Apr 7, 2025

Get formal paperwork put in place. There will be a Child Support Calculation worksheet put together for you but it will take into account overnights, childcare (if any), Health Insurance (if any), other children in the home (not part of the case), alimony being paid out, etc... Your best bet is to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Divorce, Legal Malpractice and Family Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Lawyer unresponsive in divorce case; not providing files

I've been dealing with my lawyer for two years regarding my divorce case. She hasn't contacted me in over a month, even after I sent a certified letter, and she isn't providing any of my information on file. I've tried reaching out via email and text. I'm particularly... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Apr 3, 2025

You can hire a new attorney to file an entry on your behalf and they will be able to get all the information from the opposing counsel or from the court. Alternatively, you can file a termination of attorney with the court and then you can represent yourself pro se and the opposing counsel can... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Legal Malpractice, Personal Injury and Insurance Bad Faith for Oklahoma on
Q: Lack of lawyer communication after rear-ended by drunk driver in OK

I was rear-ended by a drunk driver while my special needs son was in the vehicle with me. I've requested all correspondence between my lawyer and the insurance company due to a lack of communication from my lawyer. I disagree with the final offer from the insurance company. Despite my requests... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Apr 3, 2025

Sorry for your inconvenience during this time. First thing is if you are dissatisfied with the lawyer you currently have, then you are well within your rights to terminate their representation and hire a new lawyer. The new lawyer should be able to get the information from the original lawyer.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Real Estate Law and Contracts for Oklahoma on
Q: Can I list a property after the previous agent acknowledged cancellation via text, without signing a referral fee with the original broker?

I am a real estate agent, and a seller contacted me to list their property after firing their previous agent via text message, which the agent acknowledged, also via text, by removing the listing from MLS and discussing excluding a specific buyer. The original broker now wants me to sign a referral... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Apr 3, 2025

In most instances, the original listing agent has a clause in their contract granting them a fee if the house is sold within a certain time frame. The removal of the listing itself is not a definitive withdrawal of representation. The seller needs to get a complete written release from the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate for Oklahoma on
Q: Do children of a deceased sibling inherit their parent's portion of an estate in Oklahoma?

I want to know if the children from a deceased sibling will inherit their parent's portion of an estate when a decedent died intestate without a spouse, children, or parents. The decedent had seven siblings, six are living, and one is deceased. There are no existing wills or legal documents... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Apr 1, 2025

The rule of intestacy in Oklahoma has specific rules. The first person on the list is the spouse of the deceased, and then any children (even adopted OUT children receive) of the deceased, or heirs of those classes (so grandchildren would take if the children had predeceased). Then if there is no... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Does Oklahoma require specific reasons for executive sessions in town meetings?

I would like to know if the reason for an executive session in town meetings in Oklahoma has to be specific? Can the reason encompass multiple options such as discussing the employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, disciplining, or resignation of any individual salaried public officer... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Apr 1, 2025

Executive sessions in Oklahoma are permitted only for specific purposes, such as discussing personnel matters, legal advice, or confidential information. The purpose of an executive session is to allow for confidential discussions that may not be appropriate for public scrutiny. However, they... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Domestic Violence, Child Custody and Family Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Does a Nevada TPO and custody carry over to Oklahoma?

I recently fled a domestic violence relationship in Oklahoma and relocated to Nevada with my children. I acquired a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) in Nevada, where I was also granted temporary custody on March 18th, 2025. I registered this order with the state of Oklahoma. There is no prior... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Mar 31, 2025

The courts will have to determine jurisdiction. It sounds like you just recently moved, and the residence of the minor child would have been in Oklahoma prior to you leaving. Which then most likely, the fathers motion will be heard here, and the Nevada court will most likely transfer their case... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Can my friend be charged with trafficking with no drugs found on him?

Can the District Attorney charge my friend with trafficking methamphetamine if he had no drugs in his car or on his person? The drugs were found on a girl he was giving a ride to; she had them in her cavity without his knowledge. There was paraphernalia in the car, accessible to both of them, but... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Mar 24, 2025

Cases like these are very fact specific. However, if he was in control of the vehicle then by default he is in control of the occupants and its contents. Therefore, yes if the quantity is sufficient to meet trafficking then yes he can be charged with that and have to defend it in court.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Landlord - Tenant for Oklahoma on
Q: How can I retrieve my towed vehicle without upfront payment if I didn't consent to the tow?

I want to retrieve my vehicle from a tow yard, but they are demanding upfront payment, which I feel is akin to holding it for ransom as I did not consent to the tow. I have not been able to arrange billing options despite being told payment is necessary for release. What alternatives or steps can I... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Mar 24, 2025

If they legally towed the vehicle (such as by order from law enforcement or by order of a private property owner/business) even though you did not consent, they have a right to be paid by the owner of the vehicle before releasing it. This ensures they get paid for doing their job legally. They can... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Discrimination and Employment Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Can my position be eliminated due to maternity leave after 90 days through a temp agency?

I’m currently pregnant and have been working through a temp agency for over 90 days with an employer. Last week, during an in-person meeting with the HR department, I was informed that the employer will not be onboarding me as a full-time employee. The reason given was that when I leave for... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Mar 24, 2025

As long as the termination is not a result of pregnancy then it would be legal. A company is not obligated by law to make a temporary position become permanent and they often do not. Hence the reason they use a temporary agency to begin with. The burden of proof would be on you to prove that was... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Lemon Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Bought Ford F150, noticed rust under vehicle. No warranty, dealership silence. Options?

I recently bought a 2019 Ford F150 from a dealership and noticed a significant amount of rust under the vehicle, including the spare tire, axle, rotors, calipers, and frame. There was no warranty, and the dealership provided no disclosure documents, though there was a Carfax report online with no... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Mar 17, 2025

I understand your frustration. Rust on the underside of a vehicle, especially one that is 6 years old, could just as easily be neglect on the previous owner. If the previous owner drove in muddy conditions a lot, such as a construction company and they didn't wash the underside properly, or... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Family Law and Immigration Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Can I pursue bigamy charges if my son's father married someone else while living with me in Oklahoma, a common-law marriage state?

I live in Oklahoma, and my son's father recently married another woman, seemingly committing immigration fraud. We have been living together for several years, sharing a home and finances, and Oklahoma recognizes common-law marriage. I have evidence of our cohabitation, like shared bank... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Mar 17, 2025

Oklahoma is & is not a common law state -- There are still requirements to be met for the 'non-ceremonial' marriage (which is the closest thing to common-law) - Based on the limited facts you stated, it would be hard to meet the burden of proof to actually depict such. Having a child... View More

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