Contraband in Jail
Bringing or Possessing Contraband in Jail or Penal Institution is Oklahoma’s law prohibiting the possession of certain items in a jail (Okla. Stat. tit. 57 § 21). Any gun, knife, bomb, or other dangerous instrument is prohibited. So is any controlled dangerous substance or alcohol.
The statute specifies that it’s prohibited for a person to possess or bring any of these items without authority into any jail, state penal institution, or other place where prisoners are located.
There’s also a different category of contraband that includes cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chewing tobacco, or any other form of tobacco product.
Any person who knowingly, willfully, and without authority brings into or possesses in jail any cell phone or electronic device capable of sending or receiving any electronic communication is guilty of this crime.
Depending on the contraband and who possessed it, this crime can either be a misdemeanor or a felony. If you’re facing charges, a criminal lawyer in Muskogee can get you the help you need.
Penalties for Having Contraband in Jail
There are three types of people who can be convicted of having contraband in jail. The first group is visitors. A visitor convicted of this crime is guilty of a felony. There is a minimum jail sentence of one year with a maximum of five years. There could also be a fine of $100 to $1,000 in addition to or instead of jail time.
The second type of person is an inmate. If they are convicted, it’s a felony. The minimum jail time is five years and the maximum is twenty years.
The third group of people is anyone with two or more felonies if it has been up to ten years since they completed their sentence. If convicted, it’s a felony. The minimum sentence is twenty years in prison.
Tobacco-related contraband carries a lighter sentence. Anyone convicted of having tobacco products in jail is guilty of a misdemeanor. There could be a jail sentence of up to one year and/or a fine of up to $500.
Cell phones and electronic devices carry a different sentence than weapons, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. If a person is convicted of having such a device in jail, they’re guilty of a felony. The jail sentence could go up to two years. There may also or instead be a fine of up to $2,500.
The penalties for carrying contraband such as drugs and alcohol into a jail are severe. If you’ve been charged, it’s important that you get a skilled Muskogee felony defense attorney on your side.
Low-cost Consultation with a Muskogee Criminal Lawyer
If you’ve been accused of or charged with bringing or possessing contraband in jail, you could face years of jail time and steep fines. The best way to get your charges reduced or dropped is to work with an experienced Muskogee Attorney. For a low-cost consultation, call (918) 884-7774. You can also go to the home page and click “request a consultation.”