Municipal Court Archives

M-2015-506

Post author:Staff
Post published:August 17, 2016
Post category:M

In OCCA case No. M-2015-506, Bell appealed her conviction for Disorderly Conduct and Interfering or Obstructing by Disobeying a Lawful Command. In an unpublished decision, the court decided to reverse the convictions and instructed to dismiss the case. One judge dissented. Bell was arrested on September 21, 2014, after protesting against a Satanic Black Mass at the Oklahoma City Civic Center. She was initially charged with trespassing but this was changed to Disorderly Conduct and Interfering or Obstructing by Disobeying a Lawful Command. Bell had gone to the Civic Center to pray against the event and knelt to pray on public property. She refused to leave when asked by police officers and was arrested. During the trial, witnesses, including police officers, testified that she did not block any entrances, and the City could not prove that she had obstructed access as per the ordinance she was charged under. The court found there was not enough evidence to support the claims that Bell had violated the law concerning disorderly conduct and interfering with the police. The judge reviewing the case decided that Bell's actions, which were protected under the First Amendment, did not constitute criminal obstruction. Although there were differences in opinion among the judges, the majority felt there was a lack of legal basis for the charges.

M 2007-0118

Post author:Staff
Post published:February 3, 2008
Post category:M

In OCCA case No. M 2007-0118, the appellant appealed his conviction for public drunkenness. In an unpublished decision, the court decided to reverse the conviction and remand with instructions to dismiss. One judge dissented. Here’s a brief summary of what happened. The appellant was found guilty of public drunkenness after a bench trial in the Municipal Court of Oklahoma City. He was fined $69. The case began when the police received a noise complaint about the appellant's hotel suite, where he was hosting a group of kids for a football event. The kids had left earlier in the evening, and only a few adults remained. When the police arrived, they noted a strong smell of alcohol on the appellant. However, witnesses said they weren't drinking that night, including the appellant himself. During the trial, it was revealed that the appellant had a speech impediment, which may have been mistaken for drunkenness. Even though the police claimed the appellant was belligerent and had slurred speech, there was no strong evidence that he was actually intoxicated or causing any disturbance in a public place. The court found merit in the appellant's argument that there wasn't enough evidence to convict him of public intoxication. They concluded that he was not drunk while in a public area, as he was in a rented hotel suite at the time. Based on this, the court reversed the conviction and directed the lower court to dismiss the case.