Tulsa Homicide Lawyers

Veteran-Owned Trial Lawyers. Over 30 Years Defending Oklahomans.

No charge carries higher stakes in Oklahoma than homicide. First-degree murder is the only offense for which the death penalty remains available in this state. Even when the death penalty isn’t on the table, a conviction means decades in prison under some of the most unforgiving sentencing rules in the country. And because Oklahoma’s 85% rule applies to both first- and second-degree murder, there is no early release and no meaningful parole window. A conviction is, in most practical terms, final.

What happens in the earliest stages of a homicide investigation often determines the entire trajectory of the case. Prosecutors begin building their record before an arrest is made, and anything said or done during that window can shape what evidence reaches a jury. Having a trial-ready defense attorney involved from the moment charges appear, or before, matters more in a homicide case than in virtually any other criminal matter.

At Enlow Law, our attorneys make regular appearances at the Tulsa County Courthouse and know its judges, procedures, and court culture firsthand. As a veteran-owned firm with over 30 years of combined criminal defense experience in Oklahoma courts, we prepare every Tulsa homicide case for trial from day one. That trial-first approach can strengthen your position at every stage, from arraignment through pre-trial negotiations. Recognized as Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Tulsa by Expertise and acknowledged by Super Lawyers, our team brings the disciplined, strategic preparation that high-stakes homicide cases demand.

Our multilingual staff provides full legal support in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and financing options are available to help manage the cost of representation.

Facing a homicide or murder charge in Oklahoma? Call us today at (918) 212-5359 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our Tulsa homicide attorneys.

What Is Homicide Under Oklahoma Law?

Homicide is the act of killing another human being. Under Oklahoma law (21 O.S. §692), homicide falls into four categories: murder, manslaughter, excusable homicide, and justifiable homicide. Not all homicides are criminal offenses. Excusable and justifiable homicides, such as a lawful act of self-defense, can be legal grounds for dismissal or acquittal. The specific charge classification matters because the degree of an offense and its penalties depend on the circumstances of the killing, including intent, premeditation, and context, and each classification calls for a different defense strategy.

How Oklahoma Law Defines Murder

Oklahoma recognizes two degrees of murder. Both are felonies, and both carry severe mandatory minimums under some of the strictest sentencing statutes in the country.

First-Degree Murder

First-degree murder applies when a killing was committed with malice aforethought and deliberate intent, during the commission of a qualifying felony such as armed robbery (the felony murder rule), during an act of child abuse, or against a law enforcement or correctional officer on duty. Under the felony murder doctrine, every participant in a qualifying felony can face first-degree murder charges if a death results, even if they didn’t directly cause it. First-degree murder convictions under 21 O.S. §701.9 can result in the death penalty (capital murder), life without the possibility of parole, or life imprisonment. Under Oklahoma’s 85% rule (21 O.S. §13.1), a person convicted of first-degree murder must serve at least 85 percent of any sentence before becoming eligible for parole consideration.

Second-Degree Murder

Second-degree murder applies when someone is alleged to have killed another while engaged in an “imminently dangerous act” showing a depraved mind, without premeditation or deliberate intent to kill. It also covers deaths resulting from a felony not encompassed by the felony murder statute. Penalties under 21 O.S. §701.9 begin at a minimum of 10 years in prison, with life sentences possible. As with first-degree murder, parole eligibility requires serving at least 85 percent of the sentence under 21 O.S. §13.1.

What to Expect During an Oklahoma Murder Case

Arraignment & Pre-Trial Proceedings

Most Tulsa homicide cases begin with an arraignment at the Tulsa County District Court, where the accused is formally charged and enters a plea. A preliminary hearing follows, at which a judge determines whether probable cause exists to proceed. This is a critical early stage: our attorneys file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, begin systematic review of all discovery materials, and start building the factual record that can support every subsequent decision in the case.

Trial & Sentencing

If the case proceeds to trial, the prosecution bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Our defense challenges that evidence through cross-examination, expert witnesses, and affirmative defenses where applicable. If the defendant is found guilty, sentencing follows, with the judge determining the appropriate punishment based on statutory ranges and any aggravating or mitigating factors. Because we prepare every case for the courtroom from the outset, our clients enter every stage of this process with a defense that is already built.