Consequences for False Declaration of Ownership in Oklahoma

The charge of false declaration of ownership in Oklahoma is most often raised in connection with a pawnshop transaction gone awry. To avoid the associated legal problems, always be honest when dealing with pawnshop transactions in Okmulgee.

FAQ: False Declaration of Ownership in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, a pawnshop dealer must obtain a written declaration of ownership from the seller or pledger on all buy and pawn transactions. The declaration requires the seller/pledger to state how long he has owned the property described in the transaction and to give identifying information. This becomes part of the bill of sale or pawn ticket. Okla. Stat. tit. 59 § 1515

The documentation process is designed to protect all parties involved against the resale of stolen goods. False declaration of ownership in Oklahoma is a type of theft by false pretenses.

A seller or pledger of any item to a pawnbroker who either uses false or altered identification, or makes a false declaration of ownership as related to the property either being pawned or sold to the pawnbroker can be convicted of a felony crime.

False declaration of ownership in Oklahoma is punishable by up to a year in jail or up to five years in prison. A fine of up to $500 may be assessed in lieu of or in addition to incarceration. Okla. Stat. tit. 59 § 1512

Additional Facts

In addition, in Oklahoma, it is a felony for a person to use or present false identification the purpose of committing or aiding in the commission of a felony in any commercial or financial transaction. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1550.41

So, if you present false identification to a pawnbroker in connection with your sale or pawning of an item that does not in fact belong to you, you could be charged with two felonies.

A felony charge for using false identification to further a financial transaction is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment in the state penitentiary for up to seven years, or both.