OKLAHOMA CITY – Strangulation during a domestic violence incident would be added to the list of violent crimes increasing punishment for the offense under.
House Bill 3371, by State Rep. Ross Ford (R-Broken Arrow), passed by a vote of 93-0. “Strangulation is no doubt a violent crime, no matter who the victim,” Ford said. “This law would properly classify domestic violence strangulation as a violent crime, and would ensure the perpetrators of this crime would face a much longer sentence.” The bill modifies the penalty for assault and battery with intent to cause great bodily harm by strangulation or attempted strangulation against an intimate partner or family member.
The measure increases the punishment from the current sentence of not less than one year nor more than three years of imprisonment to a punishment of not less than one year nor more than ten years of imprisonment. The punishment for a second or subsequent offense is increased to a punishment of not less three years nor more than twenty years imprisonment. The measure also adds domestic abuse by strangulation to the list of violent crimes. Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence, and a person being strangled by an intimate partner or family member is 750 percent more likely to be killed later by that same person.
Oklahoma is currently ranked 20th in the nation for domestic violence. Ford said if we want to change that statistic, we must enact laws that protect our citizens. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Sen. Michael Bergstrom (R-Adair) is the