False impersonation is a crime based in fraud and deceit. Impersonating an officer in Muskogee means you are taking on the cloak of authority that comes with being a police or peace officer, and using authority not given to you.
When you use this power to gain power or authority over another person or situation, Oklahoma courts take this seriously and so should you.
What is False Impersonation of an Officer in Muskogee, Oklahoma?
False impersonation is a lie coupled with a situation in which the lie takes unfair advantage of another. Thus, the crime is somewhat situational in its character.
Oklahoma has a number of laws covering this subject. Impersonating an officer is defined as a person without due authority, who functions as or holds himself or herself out to others as a deputy sheriff, marshal, police officer, constable or peace officer. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 §264.
Under this statute, you could be convicted of a misdemeanor punishable by as much as one year in the county jail. And you could be fined as much as $100.
This statute may not be construed to prevent private persons from making arrests for felonies or misdemeanors committed in their presence. A citizen’s arrest for felonies and misdemeanors committed in that person’s presence does not include any false impersonation.
Likewise, it is considered to be impersonating an officer to affix to their car any insignia typically used by a law enforcement agency for the purpose of causing other drivers to yield the right-of-way and stop. Causing other drivers to yield and stop, whether intended or not, is against the law if you are not a police or other peace officer.
This too is a misdemeanor punishable by a jail term of up to 1 year in the county jail, or by a fine up to $1,000, or by both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 §264.
Impersonating an officer is also prohibited under another Oklahoma statute. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1533. It is also a misdemeanor, punishable by as many as six months in county jail. And you could be fined as much as $2,000. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1533. However, impersonating an officer to create some kind of sham legal process is a felony punishable by as many as two years in prison. And you could be fined as much as $5,000.
If you are facing a charge for impersonating an officer in Muskogee, you need the help of an experienced Muskogee criminal defense attorney. Call today.
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Don’t go it alone. We are here to help you. The capable, experienced Muskogee criminal defense attorneys at the Wirth Law Office will carefully explain the process and are willing and able to explore all possible defenses for you.
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