Source: https://huddleston.law/category/legislation-case-notes/page/2/
Timestamp: 2019-06-17 01:21:41
Document Index: 407083295

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', '§ 6', '§ 11', '§ 1107', '§18', '§991', '§991', '§60', '§60', '§2', '§2', '§ 111']

Legislation & Case Notes | Huddleston Law Offices - Part 2
Posted in Legislation & Case Notes | Comments Off on Legislature expands Oklahoma’s high-CBD law
Oklahoma State Question 780 made all marijuana possession offenses misdemeanors.
On November 8 2016, 58% of Oklahoma voters supported State Question 780, which makes all marijuana possession offenses misdemeanors effective July 1, 2017.
Oklahoma still has further to go, as the penalty for first-time marijuana possession will remain up to one year of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000. Removing possible jail time for marijuana possession altogether, as 21 states have already done, will allow police to focus on solving violent and property crime. In addition, enforcement of these laws is racially biased. According to this report by the ACLU, African Americans in Oklahoma are 2.9 times more likely than whites to be arrested for possession of marijuana, even though blacks and whites consume marijuana at similar rates.
Posted in Legislation & Case Notes | Comments Off on Oklahoma State Question 780 made all marijuana possession offenses misdemeanors.
Street Law School: I passed a School Bus and they want to suspend my driver’s license for a year! Now what?
If you do not stop when those red lights are activated for a school bus, or a church bus, and you drive past that bus, in addition to a fine and other penalties such as points on your license and record, you’re going to lose your driver’s license for a year. The law is found at 47 O.S. § 6-205.A.11 (OSCN 2017). The purpose of this article is help people from being shocked by finding out after they have paid a fairly small ticket that they are losing their driver’s license. When you get a ticket that is for anything more than a minimal speeding ticket, you should contest the charge. Failing to do so can be devastating for a family, for wage earners or for moms who drive to and from school and work.
Oklahoma DPS will suspend your Oklahoma driver’s license if you’re convicted of illegally passing a school bus or a church bus. You must act quickly if you have received a notice of driver’s license suspension for this offense. You may have received a ticket in the mail for meeting or overtaking a school bus. The police don’t even have to be present at the time of the alleged violation for you to receive the citation. The school bus driver who observed the alleged violation merely needs to fill out a simple report and submit it to the police within 24 hours of the violation. 47 O.S. § 11-705.D (OSCN 2017).
While paying the $100.00 ticket may be the easiest and quickest thing to do, it also is the equivalent of pleading guilty to the offense. You should instead request a hearing for the ticket. Often the school bus driver is unable to identify the person who allegedly passed the bus. If convicted of passing a school bus or church bus, Oklahoma DPS will suspend your Oklahoma driver’s license for one year and add 4 points to your driving record according to the Oklahoma license points schedule.
If you received a passing a school bus ticket in the mail or notice of license suspension, you should talk to an attorney about having the conviction overturned and appealing the suspension.
Posted in Legislation & Case Notes | Comments Off on Street Law School: I passed a School Bus and they want to suspend my driver’s license for a year! Now what?
STREET LAW SCHOOL: Is there a new way to change title to a car owned by someone who has died? Or, I am the beneficiary of a Transfer on Death Notice, now what?
Given the maintenance requirements and rapid depreciation of cars and other vehicles, it makes no sense to have them sitting around for months or years while probate grinds on, before they can be transferred to their new owners. Thankfully a new Oklahoma law (47 O.S. § 1107.5) allows you to name a transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary for your vehicles. This way, your vehicle can be transferred to the beneficiary of your choice quickly and easily, without probate court approval.
Effective November 1, 2016, the title of a motor vehicle that is not subject to any lien or other encumbrance may be transferred in transfer-on-death form by filing with the Tax Commission a written notice of transfer signed by the transferor (current record owner) and designating the transferee (owner upon death of transferor). This Form 771 notice will transfer ownership of the vehicle to the transferee upon the death of the transferor, by filing the applicable documentation. A designation of the transferee may be revoked or changed at any time prior to the death of the transferor by filing an amended notice with the Tax Commission. Here is a link to the form with more detailed information. The process is simplicity itself.
The beneficiary you name has no rights as long as you are alive. You are free to sell or give away the car, or name someone else as the beneficiary. You are free to revoke a beneficiary designation at any time..
You cannot revoke the beneficiary provision by leaving the car to someone else in your will or living trust.
Transferring Title After Death
When the owner dies, the vehicle belongs to the beneficiary listed on the Form 771 and there is no statutory time limit for the beneficiary to file the Form 771 and complete the TOD Transferee Affidavit located on the second page of Form 771. To retitle the vehicle in his or her own name, the new owner simply applies for a new title with the Form 771 and a copy of the prior owner’s death certificate.
This new transfer method can’t be used for vehicles subject to a lien, so if your car isn’t paid off at your death, the beneficiary will have to pay off the car loan and get the lien released first.
Posted in Legislation & Case Notes | Comments Off on STREET LAW SCHOOL: Is there a new way to change title to a car owned by someone who has died? Or, I am the beneficiary of a Transfer on Death Notice, now what?
I Was Sued In Retaliation For Exercising My Constitutional Rights, Now What? Oklahoma’s New Anti-SLAPP Law May Be Your Answer
The Oklahoma Citizens Participation Act was passed on April 22, 2014, on the 125th anniversary of the Oklahoma 1889 Land Run, Gov. Mary Fallin signed the Act, and it became law on November 1, 2014. The Act gives Oklahomans valuable protections in the exercise of their First Amendment rights. From the bill:
The Act provides an early dismissal mechanism for meritless cases filed out of retaliation for one’s exercise of First Amendment rights. If a lawsuit is based on or relates to the exercise of the right of free speech, the exercise of the right of petition, or the exercise of the right of association, the statute applies. Once a defendant demonstrates that the statute applies, a court must dismiss the case unless the plaintiff can present clear and specific evidence of a prima facie case of each element of the plaintiff’s cause of action. If the plaintiff cannot meet that burden, the case is dismissed and the court must award attorney’s fees and sanctions against the plaintiff. Likewise, if the court finds that the motion to dismiss was frivolous or filed solely to create delay, sanctions and attorney’s fees can be awarded against a defendant who files a frivolous motion. However, just losing the motion to dismiss is not grounds for awarding attorney’s fees against a defendant who files a motion to dismiss pursuant to the Act.
The purpose of a SLAPP suit is to chill the defendant’s speech through costly and emotionally exhausting litigation. SLAPPs (“strategic lawsuits against public participation”) are civil claims or counterclaims filed against individuals or organizations based on their communications about issues of public interest or concern. Oklahoma legislators recognized the need for an anti-SLAPP law to help put an end to litigants using the legal system to retaliate against citizens for exercising their constitutional rights.
The Act is similar to anti-SLAPP statutes in other states, including the Texas Citizens Participation Act. This is important because the Texas version of the anti-SLAPP law has been found to apply in federal court as well. With no federal anti-SLAPP statute on the books, it is likely that federal courts in Oklahoma will also limit the ability of plaintiffs to escape the requirements of the Oklahoma Citizens Participation Act by filing in federal court.
Posted in Legislation & Case Notes | 1 Comment »
Street Law School: Getting A Criminal Record Expunged Is Getting Easier
An expungement proceeding is a type of lawsuit in which a first time offender of a prior criminal conviction seeks that the records of that earlier process be sealed, thereby making the records unavailable through the state or Federal repositories. If successful, the records are said to be “expunged”. While expungement deals with an underlying criminal record, it is a civil action in which the subject is the petitioner or plaintiff asking a court to declare that the records be expunged.
A very real distinction exists between an expungement and a pardon. When an expungement is granted, the person whose record is expunged may, for most purposes, treat the event as if it never occurred. A pardon does not “erase” the event; rather, it constitutes forgiveness. An expungement can be granted only by a judge; while a pardon can be granted only by the President for federal offenses, and the Governor or the State Board of Pardons and Paroles for state offenses.
Generally, expungement is the process to “remove from general review” the records pertaining to a case. The records may not completely “disappear” and may still be available to law enforcement, to sentencing judges on subsequent offenses, and to corrections facilities to which the individual may be sentenced on subsequent convictions. In 2012, and again in late 2014, Oklahoma significantly amended its expungement laws. Persons who did not previously qualify for expungement under the old laws are now eligible. Records that can negatively impact careers, educational goals, and personal lives, and that are currently freely accessible to the general public on the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s website and the On Demand Court Records website, can now be more easily hidden, including records with the Courts on OSCN.net or ODCR.com (Docket Sheet of the case), and records with OSBI, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Anyone’s criminal history is available through the Criminal History Reporting Unit of the OSBI using this form. This OSBI criminal history is the “background check” paid for by employers.
22 Oklahoma Stat. §18/19 Expungement: This erases records from the Arresting Agency, the Court, OSBI, and potentially third party records, and is generally the type of expungement sought. A record erased through an 18/19 expungement is not visible to the public or employers, and cannot be used by law enforcement without a Court order. Eligibility for expungement will usually be on the following grounds:
The person was charged with a misdemeanor, the charge was dismissed following the successful completion of a deferred judgment or delayed sentence, the person has never been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, no misdemeanor or felony charges are pending against the person, and at least one (1) year has passed since the charge was dismissed;
The person was charged with a nonviolent felony offense, as set forth in Section 571 of Title 57 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the charge was dismissed following the successful completion of a deferred judgment or delayed sentence, the person has never been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, no misdemeanor or felony charges are pending against the person, and at least ten (10) years have passed since the charge was dismissed;
The person was convicted of a misdemeanor offense, the person has not been convicted a felony, no felony or misdemeanor charges are pending against the person, and at least ten (10) years have passed since the end of the last misdemeanor sentence.
Other Types of Expungements:
22 Oklahoma Stat. §991c Expungement: If a person does not qualify for an 18/19 expungement, they may be able to get a partial expungement under 22 Oklahoma Stat. §991c. After a 991c expungement Court records at ODCR.com and OSCN.net are erased, the Court file is sealed, and OSBI arrest records are changed show a plea of “not guilty,” and that the case was dismissed. You can get a 991c expungement while you are waiting to be eligible for an 18/19 expungement.
22 Oklahoma Stat. §60.18 Victim’s Protection Order (VPO) Expungement: A VPO or restraining order, once expunged, is sealed to the public, and “shall be deemed never to have occurred.” If ever asked, a person “may properly reply … that no such action ever occurred and that no such record exists.” (22 Oklahoma Stat. §60.1 (C)(4))
10A Oklahoma Stat. §2-6-109 Juvenile Records Expungement: Juvenile records already can’t be viewed by the general public. But, a juvenile record expungement may be needed in order to enlist in the military. Once expunged, it “shall be deemed never to have occurred.” If ever asked, a person “may properly reply … that no such action ever occurred and that no such record exists.” (10A Oklahoma Stat. §2-6-109(D))
Street Law School: How To Make Use of the Noncustodial Parent Visitation Rights Law
The Noncustodial Parent Visitation Rights Law went into effect on November 1, 2014, and allows noncustodial parents a somewhat simpler way of enforcing their custody schedule when it isn’t being followed by the custodial parent. The new law amends Oklahoma statute 43 O.S. § 111.3, and provides an almost Small Claims Court type procedure that begins with the filing of a MOTION FOR ENFORCEMENT OF NON-CUSTODIAL PARENT VISITATION RIGHTS. The motion must detail the visitation schedule violations and requires that a hearing on the request be scheduled within 21 days, but it could be much sooner in some counties.
An ORDER and Notice of Hearing is issued by the Court, and PROOF OF SERVICE BY CERTIFIED MAIL must be filed at or prior to the hearing. If the other parent is not served at least 10 days before the hearing, the court likely will not hear the case as scheduled, but the matter still must resolved within 45 days. At the hearing, the Court will evaluate the visitation schedule and the claimed violations, and possibly punish the violator. If the Court finds that the visitation rights of the noncustodial parent have been “unreasonably” denied or otherwise interfered with by the custodial parent, the Court will enter an order which may provide for one or more of the following remedies:
A specific visitation schedule;
Compensating visitation time for the visitation denied or otherwise interfered with, which time shall be of the same type (e.g. holiday, weekday, weekend, summer) as the visitation denied or otherwise interfered with, and shall be at the convenience of the noncustodial parent;
Posting of a bond, either cash or with sufficient sureties, conditioned upon compliance with the order granting visitation rights;
Attendance of one or both parents at counseling or educational sessions which focus on the impact of visitation disputes on children;
Supervised visitation; or
Any other remedy the court considers appropriate, which may include an order which modifies a prior order granting child custody.
In any event, the Court is required to assess reasonable attorney fees and court costs to the prevailing party on the motion for enforcement of visitation rights. This means that the custodial parent having to respond to the motion may recover her counsel fees if the motion was not well founded.
The new law includes sample forms noncustodial parents can use in lieu of hiring an attorney.
Posted in Firm News, Legislation & Case Notes | Comments Off on Street Law School: How To Make Use of the Noncustodial Parent Visitation Rights Law
Another Foreclosure Avoided
This week I was able to obtain a dismissal of a foreclosure case filed in 2011 after my client successfully completed his loan modification. He just needed some time, and that is what I was able to obtain for him.
Good people sometimes need a second chance. Most foreclosures are a result of an unexpected life event, such as:
Difficult and costly Divorce
Lost Job or had to Change Jobs
Health problems with Expensive Medical Bills
And never before has the expression “If I could just buy some time” meant so much. When facing foreclosure homeowners need time to discover their options, analyze their situation and implement an action plan. The most precious commodity is time…And it’s running out. However, there are various ways that an attorney can get you the time you need. Sometimes, as in a recent case, it is as simple as filing an Answer to the Petition and requiring the foreclosing lender to actually prove that it is the proper Plaintiff to bring the case. If it isn’t a Dismissal Without Prejudice is appropriate. Other times, as in another recent case, deficiencies in the Lender’s Motion for Summary Judgment can be identified, and the Judge may issue an Order denying the Lender’s Motion for Summary Judgment.
Homeowners’ options are changing because of the magnitude of the housing problem. There is a chance to work things out with the lender if the homeowner fights for that chance. More banks are willing to work with borrowers today simply because they really can’t manage the huge backlog of homes which have already been lost to foreclosure. If the borrower can present a viable plan to repay the loan, the chances of retaining home ownership are pretty good.
The process can go fairly quickly. Here’s a basic rundown of the mortgage modification process and how long each step takes:
• Obtaining the modification package: Getting a loan modification package in the mail can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how long it takes to get a hold of the right loss mitigation manger, and of course, how many other modification requests being considered at the moment. Lately, the attorneys for the foreclosing lenders have been willing to forward the applications directly to the attorney for the homeowner. This can speed up the process.
• Submission of the loan modification package: It should take a week to fill it out and get it back to the lender with all the requested documents.
• Underwriting and internal auditing: Once the lender receives the modification package, they will check it over for mistakes, and then send it on for an in-depth review. Assuming that no questions arise regarding the paperwork, this should only take a few days.
• Assignment to a mitigation specialist: After being reviewed by the underwriters (which can take another week or two), the matter will be assigned to a loss mitigation specialist who is authorized to make the final decisions regarding the loan modification request.
• Decision and mitigation process: One of the longest parts of the process, this step can take several weeks as the loss mitigation specialist reviews the request and begins negotiating new loan terms. It may take a week or two or even a month or two to complete – that really depends on the specialist’s case load.
• Completion of the new loan: Once the modification request is approved, the lender will send a packet to fill out and sign within 3-5 business days to complete the modification.
Getting a loan modified can take several weeks to several months to complete. The key is being pro-active and patient, all at the same time. A foreclosure defense lawyer is necessary to handle the foreclosure case, but homeowners don’t need to hire an expensive company to do their loan modification. On the contrary, doing the loan mod, or a short sale, yourself while your attorney defends the foreclosure case may lead to a better result and thousands of dollars saved.
Posted in Firm News, Legislation & Case Notes, Real Estate Law | Comments Off on Another Foreclosure Avoided
Victory on Appeal in BAC Home Loans Servicing vs. Graybill
I am pleased to announce that I have another appellate court victory. This time in an unreported case where I was hired only after the homeowner had already had judgment granted against him by the trial court.
Here is a link to the slip opinion: BAC vs Graybill
Posted in Firm News, Legislation & Case Notes, Real Estate Law | 1 Comment »
Victory on appeal in DELMAR BYRL GARRETT vs. CARLOTTA GORDON, 2013 OK CIV APP 96 (June 12, 2013).
I am pleased to announce that I have a new reported case (that I won at trial and on appeal):
DELMAR BYRL GARRETT vs. CARLOTTA GORDON, 2013 OK CIV APP 96 (June 12, 2013).
Plaintiff/Appellant Delmar Garrett (Delmer) appeals the September 13, 2011, Journal Entry Order of the district court denying his Motion to Vacate Void Judgment, Vacate Partition Order, and Emergency Motion to Stay Sheriff’s Sale. The judgment sought to be vacated was entered in a divorce suit in which Delmer was named as a party. Because the judgment roll in the divorce proceeding shows that the district court had personal jurisdiction over Delmer at the time the judgment was entered, he is bound by the terms of that judgment. Therefore, the district court correctly denied Delmer’s motion to vacate and we affirm.
Link to Full Opinion.
Posted in Firm News, Legislation & Case Notes, Real Estate Law | Comments Off on Victory on appeal in DELMAR BYRL GARRETT vs. CARLOTTA GORDON, 2013 OK CIV APP 96 (June 12, 2013).