Oklahoma § 21-455 - Preventing witness from giving testimony - Threatening
Full text of Oklahoma Oklahoma Statutes § 21-455 — Preventing witness from giving testimony - Threatening, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 21-455. Preventing witness from giving testimony - Threatening
witness who has given testimony.
A. Every person who willfully prevents or attempts to prevent
any person from giving testimony or producing any record, document
or other object, who has been duly summoned or subpoenaed or
endorsed on the criminal information or juvenile petition as a
witness, or who makes a report of abuse or neglect pursuant to
Section 1-2-101 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes or Section 10104 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes, or who is a witness to
any reported crime, or threatens or procures physical or mental harm
through force or fear with the intent to prevent any witness from
appearing in court to give his or her testimony or produce any
record, document or other object, or to alter his or her testimony
is, upon conviction, guilty of a Class C1 felony offense punishable
by imprisonment as provided for in subsections B through E of
Section 20L of this title.
B. Every person who threatens physical harm through force or
fear or causes or procures physical harm to be done to any person or
harasses any person or causes a person to be harassed because of
testimony given by such person in any civil or criminal trial or
proceeding, or who makes a report of abuse or neglect pursuant to
Section 1-2-101 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes or Section 10104 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes, is, upon conviction,
guilty of a Class C1 felony offense punishable by imprisonment as
provided for in subsections B through E of Section 20L of this
title.
R.L. 1910, § 2230. Amended by Laws 1977, c. 158, § 1, eff. Oct. 1,
1977; Laws 1981, c. 92, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1981; Laws 1991, c. 296, §
29, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Laws 1993, c. 182, § 1, emerg. eff. May 17,
1993; Laws 1997, c. 133, § 199, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st
Ex. Sess., c. 5, § 111, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 2013, c. 243, § 1,
eff. Nov. 1, 2013; Laws 2025, c. 486, § 191, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
NOTE: Laws 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 2, § 23 amended the effective
date of Laws 1997, c. 133, § 199 from July 1, 1998, to July 1, 1999.
Source: official Oklahoma text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma § 21-455
What does Oklahoma Statutes § 21-455 cover?
Section 21-455 ("Preventing witness from giving testimony - Threatening") is part of the Oklahoma Statutes, the codified statutory law of Oklahoma. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Oklahoma § 21-455?
A common citation format is "Oklahoma Statutes § 21-455" (Oklahoma). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Oklahoma law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Oklahoma official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney.
How does Oklahoma § 21-455 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Oklahoma can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Oklahoma.