Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Attorneys
Charged with a crime in Oklahoma? Your freedom, record, and future are on the line. Get a trial-ready defense team in your corner today.
📞 Call (405) 346-9800
If you've been arrested, charged, or are under investigation in Oklahoma, the next 48 hours matter. What you say to police, what you sign, and who you call can shape the rest of your case. At Bennett Vernier, PLLC, our Oklahoma City criminal defense attorneys step in immediately to protect your rights and build the strongest defense the facts allow.
We don't treat criminal defense as paperwork. We prepare every case as if it's going to trial because that preparation is what creates leverage at every stage, from plea negotiations to verdict.
A Defense Team That Knows Both Sides of the Courtroom
Plenty of firms list criminal defense on their website. Here's what sets us apart: Most criminal defense attorneys have never worn a badge and been tasked with investigating crimes. Ours has.
Our founding partner, Travis Vernier, served over a decade as an Oklahoma City police officer and detective, investigating special victims cases and felony crimes against children. He's a Certified Force Science® Analyst and has worked alongside the prosecutors, officers, and judges who now sit on the other side of our cases.
That insider knowledge gives us a working understanding of:
How officers build probable cause and where they cut corners
How investigations are structured
How evidence is gathered and documented
Where procedural mistakes occur
How prosecutors evaluate cases
When the government accuses you, the lawyer you hire should understand exactly how the government operates. Ours does.
What's at Stake When You're Charged in Oklahoma
A criminal conviction in Oklahoma can mean far more than jail time. Depending on the charge, you could lose:
Your driver's license (DUI, drug, and traffic-related convictions)
Your job or professional license (nurses, teachers, CDL holders, healthcare workers)
Your right to own a firearm (felony convictions)
Your immigration status (certain misdemeanors and most felonies)
Your housing options (many landlords reject applicants with records)
Custody of your children (in domestic-related charges)
Your reputation — and the financial cost of starting over
This is why early, aggressive legal representation isn't optional. It's essential.
📞 Don't wait. Call (405) 346-9800 now.
Criminal Charges We Defend in Oklahoma
We represent clients across the full range of misdemeanor, felony, state, and federal charges:
DUI / DWI: Charged with drunk driving or drug-related DUI? We fight license suspensions, challenge traffic stops, and protect your record.
Drug Charges: Whether it’s simple possession or trafficking, we defend clients facing charges involving marijuana, meth, prescription drugs, fentanyl, and more.
Assault & Battery: These charges often arise from emotionally charged situations. We present the full context—self-defense, provocation, or mutual combat—to secure dismissals or reduced charges.
Domestic Violence: False allegations or misunderstandings can destroy lives. We work to uncover the truth, protect your rights, and preserve your reputation.
Theft & Property Crimes: From shoplifting to embezzlement, we understand the impact criminal charges have on employment, education, and immigration status. We push for resolutions that protect your future.
Weapons Offenses: We represent clients facing illegal possession, felon-in-possession, and firearm enhancement charges under both state and federal law.
White Collar Crimes: If you are under investigation or facing charges for fraud, forgery, computer crimes, or financial misconduct, we provide discreet, strategic representation.
Expungements & Post-Conviction Relief: Your past doesn’t have to define you. Let us help you clear your record and move forward.
Why Clients Choose Bennett Vernier
Local Court Experience. We appear regularly in Oklahoma County, Cleveland County, Canadian County, Logan County, and Pottawatomie County courts. We know the prosecutors, the judges, and the unwritten expectations in each courtroom.
Trial-Tested Representation. If a plea offer doesn't serve your best interests, we're ready to try your case.
Force Science® Certified Analysts. Two of our attorneys hold Force Science® certification — specialized training in human performance during high-stress encounters, used in use-of-force, self-defense, and officer-involved cases.
FOP Plan Attorneys. We serve as plan attorneys for the Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police Legal Defense Plan, defending officers facing investigations, discipline, and criminal allegations arising from their duties.
Direct, Honest Counsel. We give you a realistic assessment of your case, not what you want to hear. You'll know where you stand from day one.
Available When It Matters. Critical incidents don't happen during business hours. Our team is reachable 24/7 for emergencies.
If You've Been Arrested or Are Under Investigation
The most important decisions in a criminal case are often made in the first 72 hours. Before charges are filed. Before you speak to detectives. Before you sign anything.
Do not speak to law enforcement without an attorney present. "Just clearing this up" is not your friend. Polite cooperation has put more innocent people in prison than silence ever has.
Do not consent to searches of your home, vehicle, or phone. A warrant requires probable cause. Your consent doesn't.
Do not assume this will work itself out. Investigations don't get smaller. They get bigger. The earlier we get involved, the more options you have.
📞 Call (405) 346-9800 right now. We'll take it from here.
Areas We Serve
Bennett Vernier defends clients throughout the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, including:
Oklahoma City • Edmond • Norman • Moore • Midwest City • Del City • Yukon • Mustang • Bethany • Warr Acres • Nichols Hills • The Village • Piedmont • Deer Creek • Choctaw • El Reno • Shawnee • Chickasha • Tuttle
We also handle federal cases throughout the Western District of Oklahoma and serve clients across Oklahoma County, Cleveland County, Canadian County, Logan County, and Pottawatomie County.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense in Oklahoma
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost in Oklahoma?
Criminal defense fees vary significantly based on the seriousness of the charge, the complexity of the evidence, the court involved (municipal, state, or federal), and whether the case is likely to go to trial. A first-time misdemeanor will cost considerably less than a felony drug trafficking case or a federal indictment. At Bennett Vernier, we discuss fees openly during your initial consultation so you understand exactly what your representation will cost before you commit. Call (405) 346-9800 for a confidential conversation about your case.
What's the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Oklahoma?
Under Oklahoma law, a misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in county jail, while a felony carries the possibility of a year or more in state prison. Beyond the sentence, felonies have far more serious collateral consequences — loss of gun rights, voting restrictions, immigration impact, and a record that's much harder to expunge. Whether your charge is classified as a misdemeanor or felony also affects bail, plea options, and trial strategy.
Can a DUI be expunged from my Oklahoma record?
In some cases, yes, but it depends on the outcome of the case, how much time has passed, and whether you have other convictions. Dismissed DUIs and deferred sentences are often eligible for expungement once you've completed the terms. Convictions are harder to clear but not always impossible. We handle expungement cases regularly and can tell you whether your record qualifies after a quick review.
How long does a criminal case take in Oklahoma County?
A simple misdemeanor can resolve in a few months; a complex felony or federal case can take a year or longer. The timeline depends on whether your case goes to a preliminary hearing, whether motions are filed, whether plea negotiations succeed, and the court's docket. We give clients realistic timelines from the beginning, not promises we can't keep, and we work to move cases forward strategically, not just quickly.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor charge?
Yes. Even "minor" misdemeanors can result in jail time, fines, a permanent criminal record, license suspension, and serious career consequences. Many misdemeanors carry collateral effects most people don't anticipate — failure of background checks, problems with concealed carry permits, immigration issues, and disqualification from certain professional licenses. The cost of defending a misdemeanor properly is almost always less than the cost of a conviction.
Speak With a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
When your freedom is on the line, the lawyer you choose matters. So does the experience, the preparation, and the willingness to fight when fighting is what your case needs.
📞 Call Bennett Vernier today: (405) 346-9800
Bennett Vernier, PLLC • 6116 NW 63rd Street, Warr Acres, OK 73132