SB655: Loophole Alert: Will New Rules Let Negligent Drivers Off the Hook?

How new regulations might enable drivers to escape accountability

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What does SB655 want to accomplish?

SB655 updates Oklahoma's rules about motor vehicle crimes.

Here’s what it changes:

➡️Negligent Homicide Charges: You can only be charged with negligent homicide (a serious crime) if your motor vehicle violation also involves other serious offenses, like driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving.

➡️Limited Charges: If you don't have these additional serious violations, you can only be charged with the original motor vehicle offense, not negligent homicide.

In short, the bill makes it harder to be charged with negligent homicide unless other serious violations are involved.

Who will benefit from this law?

✔️Drivers with Minor Violations: If someone has a motor vehicle violation but no other serious offenses, they won’t face the more severe charge of negligent homicide.

✔️Individuals Accused of Serious Crimes: By setting clearer limits on when negligent homicide charges can be brought, this law ensures that serious charges are only applied in situations involving other major violations.

✔️Legal Defendants: Defendants accused of motor vehicle crimes will have a clearer understanding of the charges they might face, which could lead to fairer legal proceedings.

✔️Law Enforcement and Legal System: This law helps streamline the legal process by clarifying when negligent homicide charges are applicable, which can lead to more consistent application of the law.

✔️General Public: The updated law can contribute to a more balanced legal system where serious charges are reserved for incidents involving multiple serious violations, which might lead to fairer outcomes.

What are some concerns people might have about this law?

⚠️Reduced Accountability: Drivers involved in serious accidents without other major violations may not face the negligent homicide charge, potentially reducing accountability for severe outcomes.

⚠️Inconsistent Outcomes: If a driver is involved in a fatal accident but doesn't have additional serious violations, they might only face lesser charges, which could seem unfair to victims’ families.

⚠️Legal Confusion: The new rules might create confusion about what constitutes a serious violation and how it impacts the potential charges, leading to possible legal disputes.

⚠️Possible Legal Loopholes: The focus on additional violations might lead to loopholes where drivers can avoid more severe charges by not committing other specific offenses.

⚠️Impact on Victims: Families and victims of fatal accidents might feel that the changes reduce the severity of the consequences for those responsible, potentially leading to dissatisfaction with the justice system.

⚠️Unintended Consequences: The law might lead to unintended consequences, such as influencing drivers to avoid committing additional offenses in order to escape the more serious charge of negligent homicide.

This bill is making its way through the legislative process. If signed into law, it will go into effect November 1, 2024.

💥Other stories you might be interested in:
SB1770: New Law Makes Clearing Criminal Records Easier- A Fresh Start For Many Okies

SB1251: New Law Gives Refund of Property Taxes to Oklahoma Families

➡️Is this something that you think Oklahomans need? How will it benefit the county you live in?

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Hi, I'm Judy! I love talking about the area I live in and what affects us. Follow me if you'd like more stories like this.