As soon as possible.  They can help guide you through any possible interviews with law enforcement, show up to any future bond hearings, and go with you to your very first court date. While it isn’t unusual to wait until you have been charged to hire an attorney, the sooner you can get an attorney to look at your case and guide you through the process, the better.

We handle most criminal defense matters, as well as some related cases. This includes obtaining or defending a protective order, expungements, and drivers license appeals.

Simply put - we have the experience and dedication to our clients to help you get the best result. As a former Prosecutor, Sabah Khalaf knows from experience what tactics the Government will use to argue cases and will use that experience to aggressively defend your case. You don't have to take our word for it - check out our 

We always recommend that you consult with an attorney immediately to make sure that your rights are preserved. Specifically, you will need to apply for a DPS hearing within (30) days from the date of the arrest to avoid forfeiting your driver's license automatically. You should also retain any documentation that you have been provided by the arresting officer and bring it with you when you meet with us.

We really think so - that's why we started helping people with them. Research shows that people with expunged records see a major increase in employment opportunities, salary, and benefits. Successfully expunging your record entitles you to say that you do not have a criminal record when asked, such as on job applications. You can’t be compelled to share your record and you can’t be denied a job or housing for refusing to show an expunged record. More importantly, our clients tell us they feel a huge sense of relief from not having a past mistake hanging over their head.

Yes, as long as you understand that we would be their attorney and not yours. Despite being the one to pay for the representation, our obligation is to our client (your loved one).

Yes, while a traffic ticket is a small matter, it is technically a criminal charge. We help defend against most criminal charges-especially driving related criminal matters.

Generally speaking, officers are only required to give you a Miranda warning when you’re either in a custodial interrogation or under arrest and you’re being asked questions that are likely to illicit and incriminating response. 

 It generally does not apply to non-custodial situations where officers are allowed to ask preliminary questions such as where are you going? Where are you coming from? Have you had anything to drink do you feel intoxicated?

When should I hire a defense attorney?

What type of cases do you handle? 

Simply put - we have the experience and dedication to our clients to help you get the best result. As a former Prosecutor, Sabah Khalaf knows from experience what tactics the Government will use to argue cases and will use that experience to aggressively defend your case. You don't have to take our word for it - check out our reviews page or our Google reviews.

Why Should I Hire You?

I've been arrested for DUI. What do I do now?

Is it worth it to get an expungement?

Can I hire you to help on a family member’s case?

Will you handle traffic tickets?

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve all made mistakes and bad decisions. Sometimes, those mistakes lead to an arrest or criminal charges. But, 

getting arrested is not the same as a conviction

. If you've been accused of a crime, the State still has to prove it -- but your rights aren't asserted automatically. That's why you need an advocate like Sabah in your corner who can protect your interests.

Sabah Is In Your Corner

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If your child was questioned by the police without you present, you probably have questions. Is it legal? How does the information they obtained affect the case? Learn how to protect your child’s rights. 

Can a Juvenile Be Questioned Without a Parent in Oklahoma?

Khalaf Law Firm

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The short answer is yes—it is legal for law enforcement to question a minor child without a parent present. But that isn’t the whole story. While a juvenile can be questioned without a parent, the information that law enforcement obtains from such interviews can’t be used as evidence if the juvenile is under 16 years old. 

According to the Oklahoma Juvenile Code, “No information gained by a custodial interrogation of a youthful offender under 16 years of age [is] admissible into evidence against the youthful offender” unless it’s done in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

While a juvenile can be questioned without a parent, it may not be in law enforcement’s best interest to do so if they’ll need to use the interview as evidence. However, there are a few parts of the law that deserve a deeper dive.

In Oklahoma, Can a Juvenile Be Questioned Without a Parent Present?

The law only applies to “custodial interrogations,” which means that the juvenile is in the custody of the police. If they were arrested and read their Miranda rights, they are officially in custody. Courts may also find that someone is “in custody” if they are:

- Put in handcuffs
- Put in the back of a police car
- Taken to an interrogation room or custody suite
- Not allowed to leave when they ask

If any of the above situations apply, but the child wasn’t read their Miranda rights, you may have a case that their constitutional rights were violated. 


What Is a Custodial Interrogation?

It isn’t just parents that can be present during an interview. In order for the information to be admissible in court, the child can be questioned in the presence of their “parents, guardian, attorney, adult relative, adult caretaker, or legal custodian.” Law enforcement must also follow the same interrogation requirements as they do for adults. 

Another important note is that the law doesn’t apply to questioning by “a public school administrator or teacher, so long as [it] is not being conducted on behalf of a law enforcement officer.” This means that when school employees are investigating “a wrongful act committed on public school property,” any information they find is admissible as evidence.

What If Another Adult Is Present?

You should know that constitutional rights apply to everyone in the U.S., including juveniles. The Fifth Amendment provides the right against self-incrimination, or as most people know it thanks to Miranda v. Arizona, “the right to remain silent.” The Sixth Amendment provides the right to an attorney in any criminal case. However, police aren’t required to advise you of these rights unless they take you into custody. 

If your child was questioned without a parent present, law enforcement may still try to use the information as evidence against them. They’ll likely say that the child was not in custody during the interview, so the law doesn’t apply. 

How Do Juvenile Questioning Laws Affect Your Case?

Mistakes are a part of growing up. But when those mistakes land you in court, you’re left wondering how long they’ll affect your life. Learn everything you need to know about Oklahoma juvenile court records and how to keep past mistakes in the past.

What to Know About Juvenile Court Records in Oklahoma

Juvenile court records document any legal proceedings involving minors under the age of 18 who are charged with breaking the law. Depending on the crime, juvenile courts often focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. This means that unlike adult court records, they’re usually kept confidential to protect the young person’s privacy and future opportunities. 

In Oklahoma, the Juvenile Division of the District Court typically handles the criminal cases of delinquent minors and youthful offenders. However, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) holds and manages the records themselves.


What Are Juvenile Court Records?

The details included in Oklahoma juvenile court records are similar to adult records. They will contain:

- Name
- Date of birth
- Arrest records
- Summons, answers, and motions
- Pleadings
- Disposition (the final outcome of the case)
- Court orders and verdicts 


What Information Is Listed in Oklahoma Juvenile Court Records?

Oklahoma juvenile court records are typically kept confidential. However, there are some parties who can view the records:

- Judges
- Court employees
- Government officials
- State and federal agencies

In addition, some individuals can access juvenile records if the court grants a request, including:

- The juvenile’s attorney
- Parents and guardians
- Staff of certain organizations

So, do juvenile records show up on background checks? It depends on who’s checking. For example, if you try to enlist in the military, your juvenile records will show up because the background check is conducted by a federal agency. However, the basic background checks that landlords and employers conduct won’t reveal these records.


Can You View Juvenile Court Records in Oklahoma?

Most juvenile records are sealed from public view. But don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. There are also cases in which Oklahoma juvenile court records are not confidential. Under Oklahoma law, it depends on the severity of the crime. 

Most juveniles commit minor offenses: trespassing, theft, property crimes, alcohol offenses, disturbing the peace. Courts will typically consider these “delinquent acts” and focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. These aren’t considered convictions and will remain sealed, unless the minor is at least 14 years old and is charged with another crime. 

However, if a juvenile commits a serious, violent felony such as murder, rape, robbery, drug trafficking, and certain types of assaults, they’ll be considered a “youthful offender” in the eyes of the law. These offenses have much more serious consequences, and the records are not sealed.

When Are Juvenile Records Not Sealed?

The good news is that while Oklahoma juvenile court records stay in the system for life, you may be able to have them expunged. To be eligible for expungement under the law:

You must be at least 18 years old
You have completed your sentence, probation, or custody, or your case was dismissed or closed by the court
You’ve paid all of your court costs, fines, and restitution
You haven’t been arrested for any adult criminal offense and have no pending charges

To expunge your records, you’ll need to file a petition with the court where the case was heard. You’ll give notice to various state agencies, then attend a hearing. If the court finds that the harm to you outweighs the public interest in retaining the records, they’ll grant the expungement and your files will be removed from the system.


Can Juvenile Records Be Expunged?

What should you do if you or someone you know is charged with murder in Oklahoma? Learn the types of charges and what you can do to help the case.

Sabah Is In Your Corner

Frequently Asked Questions

From The Blog

Can a Juvenile Be Questioned Without a Parent in Oklahoma?

What to Know About Juvenile Court Records in Oklahoma

Murder Charges in Oklahoma: What to Do Now

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