Understanding the Role of Criminal Negligence
Hi, my name is Carl Birkhead. I’m a Tulsa criminal attorney with Wirth Law Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I’ve been practicing family and criminal law for almost seven years. Today, I want to break down what criminal negligence means — and how it could apply to your case.
Criminal negligence isn’t usually a standalone charge. You won’t often see a case filed with just “negligence” listed, but it shows up in charges like child neglect and other similar offenses. Negligence focuses on your mental state — not necessarily that you meant to cause harm, but that your failure to act responsibly resulted in someone getting hurt.
Exploring Examples of Criminal Negligence
Let’s use child neglect as an example: If you’re not feeding your child, not bathing them, not providing shelter or safety — even if you didn’t “intend” to harm them — your failure to care for them properly can still result in criminal charges.
That’s criminal negligence:
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- You had a duty of care
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- You failed to meet it
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- Someone got hurt as a result
It’s not about being evil — it’s about being reckless or careless in a way that causes harm.
Preventative Measures and Seeking Help
So here’s my advice: Be mindful of your surroundings. Know who you’re responsible for. Think before you act — because you could be charged if someone gets hurt due to your inaction or carelessness. If you think this might apply to your situation, or if you’ve already been charged, call me. I want to help you make law easy, and help you move forward.
Contact Us for a Strategy Session
If you’re facing charges related to criminal negligence or want guidance on a potential case, contact me, Carl Birkhead, a Tulsa misdemeanor attorney, to discuss how we can assist you. Call us at 918-879-1681 to schedule a low-cost initial strategy session today. I’m here to help you navigate your legal challenges. Thanks for watching.
