What is the difference between dangerous and deadly weapons in an Oklahoma assault and battery charge?

Almost Any Object Can Be a Dangerous or Deadly Weapon

Typically, the general public thinks of dangerous or deadly weapons in terms of guns and knives. While these certainly qualify, any object capable of causing severe injury or death can be considered a dangerous or deadly weapon under Oklahoma law.

Examples of Dangerous or Deadly Weapons

Baseball bat

Golf club

Pool cue

Steel-toed boots

Glass bottle

Rock

Brick

Frying pan

Vehicle

Under Oklahoma law, anything other than your own body can be considered a weapon if used to cause harm.

Intent Is the Key Factor

Because the difference between dangerous and deadly isn’t immediately apparent, the prosecution will look at the intent behind the defendant’s actions when deciding which charges will be filed. For example, a person who shoots a gun into the air or fires at an inanimate object may be charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, even though firearms can indeed cause death. Because they weren’t aiming at a person, there was no intent to kill.

You could be charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon if you use a weapon with the intent to cause death or significant bodily injury. Examples of significant bodily injury include broken bones, disfigurement, loss or impairment of a body part, or substantial risk of death.

Please note that the victim’s perception of your intent does not matter when the prosecution determines what charges you’ll face. The victim can’t opt to drop the charges, even if they believe the incident results from a misunderstanding with no ill intent or that you didn’t intend to use an object as a dangerous or deadly weapon.

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You Could Be Facing Substantial Jail Time

The punishment increases dramatically whenever a weapon is used in the commission of an assault and battery. Simple assault and battery without a weapon is a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum jail term of 90 days and a fine of up to $1,000. Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon is a felony that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in a state penitentiary. Assault and battery with a deadly weapon is a felony that carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

Assault and battery with a dangerous or deadly weapon may also be accompanied by other charges related to the circumstances of the alleged crime, such as kidnapping, threatening a violent act, or interfering with an emergency call. To protect yourself, you will want to retain legal representation immediately. Do not talk about the case with anyone other than your attorney, and do not agree to speak to the police without your lawyer present.

How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

Convince the court to offer a deferred or suspended sentence
Negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor on your behalf where you plead guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence
Prepare a defense and represent you at trial

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