Fraud, whether we are on the receiving end of it or on the perpetrating end of it, is always a serious matter. False impersonation Oklahoma is a form of fraud, and is severely punished in Tahlequah.
Defining False Impersonation Oklahoma
In looking for a definition for false impersonation, it is important to separate the impersonation from the goal of the impersonation. The lie is one thing. A lie by itself may not cause a person damage, but usually when a lie is told, it is told to take unfair advantage of a person or a situation. Such is the case with charges of false impersonation Oklahoma.
Oklahoma statutes prohibit using false impersonation in certain circumstances. In Oklahoma, it is against the law to falsely impersonate another person and by virtue of that false impersonation:
- marry, pretend to marry, or to sustain a marital relationship;
- to become a bailor or surety for another person before a court or officer authorized to take such bail or surety;
- take an action such as signing, publishing, verifying, or proving a written document in the name of another person, with the intent that the document be used as true; or
- engage in any other act that if done by the person who was falsely impersonated, would make that person liable in any sort of lawsuit or other prosecution, or cause that person to pay money or incur any other sort of loss or penalty, or where the person lying or another person could benefit from the impersonation.
Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1531.4
If you are found guilty of false impersonation in any of these circumstances, you could face a felony conviction and up to 10 years in prison. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1532
Finally, a false impersonation made in order to receive money or property, knowing that that money or property is intended to be delivered to the person you are impersonating, is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1533
Impersonating An Officer Could Spell Big Trouble
One of the ways that false impersonation occurs is when a person pretends to be a law enforcement officer. In Oklahoma, it is illegal to impersonate any sort of public officer, including law enforcement, firefighter, EMT, or any other person who has a special legal authority to perform any act that can affect the rights or interests of another.
Impersonating an officer is a misdemeanor in Oklahoma. If convicted, you could face up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
Impersonating an officer to create some kind of sham legal process is a felony in Oklahoma and carries an even stricter penalty — up to two years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.
Low-cost Initial Consultation: Tahlequah Criminal Defense Lawyer
Please contact a Tahlequah criminal defense lawyer to discuss your available legal options if you’ve been charged with false impersonation Oklahoma.
For a low-cost consultation, call Wirth Law Office – Tahlequah at 918-458-2677 or toll free at 1-888-447-7262.
Or, if you prefer e-mail, you may enter a legal question in the form at the top right of this page and we’ll contact you by e-mail as soon as possible.
