Criminal Justice

SB 369 expands the definition of aggravated assault and battery against law enforcement officers in Oklahoma. It specifically includes attempts to gain control of an officer's firearm or strangulation as qualifying offenses. The law applies to police officers, sheriffs, deputies, highway patrol officers, corrections personnel, and state/federal peace officers enforcing state laws while on duty. This change makes those specific acts punishable as a felony with penalties including up to life in prison or a $5,000 fine. The bill was approved by the governor on May 3, 2025, and is now in effect.

SB 871 modifies Oklahoma's law against eluding police officers by updating penalty structures for different offenses. For first-time offenders, it increases the maximum fine for misdemeanor eluding from $2,000 to $5,000 and raises the jail term for second offenses to up to one year. If eluding endangers others, the offense becomes a felony punishable by 1-5 years in state prison; if it causes "great bodily injury" (defined as serious harm like permanent disfigurement or long-term disability), penalties increase to 1-7 years. The bill also clarifies legal language around these offenses and takes effect November 1, 2025. It directly affects drivers convicted of eluding police in Oklahoma.

SB 537 amends Oklahoma's vagrancy law to allow business owners to request police removal of individuals deemed "vagrants" (defined as those in public/private space for illegal purposes) who are within 12 feet of their business doorway. If police confirm the person meets this definition, they must relocate the individual at least one-half mile away from the business, ensuring the new location is not within one-quarter mile of any other business. This bill directly affects businesses seeking to address perceived disruptions, individuals potentially relocated under the policy, and law enforcement officers carrying out the procedure. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.