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Hate Crime Laws in Oklahoma

How Oklahoma law treats hate crimes: what is illegal, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, and the penalties, from the state code.

Short answer: Yes, as a separate crime rather than a sentence enhancement. Malicious intimidation or harassment (assault, battery, property damage or threats, or electronic messages or published material meant to incite imminent violence) because of a person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national… 21 O.S. § 850

Hate crimesYes, as a separate crime rather than a sentence enhancement. Malicious intimidation or harassment (assault, battery, property damage or threats, or electronic messages or published material meant to incite imminent violence) because of a person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability is a misdemeanor for a first offense (up to 1 year in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both). A second or subsequent offense is a Class B4 felony punishable by up to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000. The offender is also civilly liable for damages.
The statute does not list sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Felony class labels (Class A1, B4, etc.) come from the Oklahoma Sentencing Modernization Act (Laws 2025, c. 486), effective Jan. 1, 2026;

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FAQ

Does Oklahoma have a hate crime law?
Yes, as a separate crime rather than a sentence enhancement. Malicious intimidation or harassment (assault, battery, property damage or threats, or electronic messages or published material meant to incite imminent violence) because of a person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability is a misdemeanor for a first offense (up to 1 year in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both). A second or subsequent offense is a Class B4 felony punishable by up to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000. The offender is also civilly liable for damages.
Can I get a court-appointed lawyer for hate crimes in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma's rule on court-appointed lawyers: The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System defends indigents in all capital and felony cases and in all misdemeanor and traffic cases punishable by incarceration (some large counties have county indigent defenders). To request representation, the person submits an application to the court clerk, signed under oath and under penalty of perjury, stating whether the person has been released on bond; if released on bond, the applicant must also state that he or she contacted three named Oklahoma-licensed attorneys and was unable to obtain counsel. The initial indigency determination is made by the Chief Judge of the judicial district or a designee under Court of Criminal Appeals rules, and posting bond may be considered but cannot be the sole factor. At judgment and sentence, the court shall order the represented person to pay costs of representation, assessed as: $150.00 for a misdemeanor guilty plea or stipulation; $250.00 for a felony guilty plea or stipulation; $500.00 for a misdemeanor jury trial; $1,000.00 for a felony jury trial; $200.00 / $300.00 for a misdemeanor / felony revocation or acceleration merit hearing; unless waived for good cause shown. 22 O.S. §§ 1355.6(A), 1355A, 1355.14
How much does a lawyer for hate crimes cost in Oklahoma?
Lawyers set their own fees, and Oklahoma has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Oklahoma for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.
What happens after an arrest for hate crimes in Oklahoma?
How release before trial works in Oklahoma: Bail by sufficient sureties shall be admitted upon all arrests in criminal cases where the offense is not punishable by death, and may be taken by persons or courts authorized by law, the court clerk, or the judge. All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except that bail may be denied for capital offenses when the proof of guilt is evident or the presumption great; violent offenses; offenses punishable by life imprisonment or life without parole; felonies where the person has two or more prior felony convictions from different transactions; controlled dangerous substance offenses with a maximum sentence of at least ten (10) years; and certain repeat DUI offenses. For the non-capital categories, the proof of guilt must be evident or the presumption great, and denial must rest on the ground that no condition of release would assure the safety of the community or any person. Rebuttable presumptions against release apply in some cases (for example, a person arrested for a violent offense while out on bond for a violent offense, shown by clear and convincing evidence). For domestic abuse and listed violent crimes, the court must assess prior patterns of abuse and make written findings on the bail amount. Each judicial district may, by order of the presiding judge, establish a pretrial bail schedule for felony or misdemeanor offenses, reviewed and published by March 1 each year; pretrial bail is set in a numerical dollar amount, courts may use pretrial release programs, and electronic monitoring may be a release condition. 22 O.S. §§ 1101, 1105.2 What happens after an arrest.
Can a conviction for hate crimes be removed from my record in Oklahoma?
Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Oklahoma expungement and record sealing rules.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.