Rape

Rape Defense Attorney in Oklahoma City

Nearly 20 Years of Defense. A Prosecutor’s Perspective on Every Case.

A rape charge in Oklahoma is a felony offense that can result in decades in prison and mandatory lifetime registration with the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry. If you’ve been accused or contacted by investigators, the decisions you make in the next few hours matter more than most people realize. I’m Taylor McLawhorn, and I defend clients facing rape charges in Oklahoma City, Edmond, and throughout Oklahoma at the state and federal level.

Before building my private practice, I served as an Assistant District Attorney, which means I know how prosecutors in Oklahoma County construct rape cases. I also began my career at the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office, handling everything from misdemeanors to capital murder. That combination of nearly 20 years of criminal defense experience, completed jury trials, and hundreds of negotiated cases shapes how I approach every defense.

An accusation is not a conviction. Call me now at (405) 504-1858 to schedule your free one-hour consultation. I’m available 24/7, and consultations can be conducted virtually.

What I Bring to Your Defense

When you work with me, you work with me directly. There are no handoffs to associates or support staff. I handle every stage of the case personally, from the first conversation through trial if it comes to that.

My time as a prosecutor is a practical advantage here. I’ve seen how the state builds these cases from the inside. I know which evidence they prioritize, how they prepare witnesses, and where their arguments can be vulnerable. That prosecutorial background, applied to your defense, is the foundation of my strategy in every sex crimes case I take.

I’m a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association, the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the Oklahoma County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. I’m admitted to practice in the State of Oklahoma, all three U.S. District Courts operating in Oklahoma, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. I’ve also received CALI Awards for Legal Research and Writing and Trial Practice, recognition that reflects the academic foundation behind the courtroom work.

Committed to Working with You Every Step
Available 24/7 and always by your side, I’ll guide you through every stage of your defense with care.
Hands-On Approach to Cases
You’ll work directly with me—no handoffs, no guesswork—just dedicated, personal defense every step of the way.
City, State, & Federal Experience
Skilled in navigating complex cases at every level of the justice system—from local courts to federal trials.
Honest & Experienced Defense Attorney
A former prosecutor who offers straightforward advice and strategic defense built on real courtroom experience.

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Oklahoma Rape Charges Under Title 21

Rape is defined under Title 21, Section 1111 of the Oklahoma Statutes as non-consensual sexual penetration accomplished through force, coercion, threats, or when the victim cannot legally consent due to age, intoxication, unconsciousness, or mental incapacity. Every rape charge in Oklahoma is a felony. Understanding how the law divides these charges matters to understanding what you’re facing.

First-Degree Rape

First-degree rape applies when aggravating circumstances are present. Under Title 21, Section 1114, these include situations where the victim is under 14 and the accused is over 18, where the victim is mentally incapable of consenting, where the victim is unconscious and the accused knows it, or where the victim was intoxicated by a substance administered by or with the knowledge of the accused. Force, violence, or threats also elevate a charge to the first degree.

The penalty is a minimum of five years and a maximum of life in prison, including life without parole. Under Oklahoma’s 85-percent rule, a person convicted must serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Second-Degree Rape

Second-degree rape covers non-consensual penetration that doesn’t meet the aggravating factors required for the first degree. Oklahoma sets the age of consent at 16, so relationships involving age disparity or a custodial or supervisory dynamic frequently result in second-degree charges, commonly referred to as statutory rape. This degree carries a sentence of one to fifteen years in prison.

Rape by Instrumentation

Rape by instrumentation is a distinct charge under Oklahoma law covering vaginal or anal penetration by a foreign object or body part that doesn’t constitute sexual intercourse. It’s prosecuted as first-degree when the victim is under 14 or when bodily harm results. All other cases are prosecuted as second-degree.

Date rape and spousal rape aren’t separate legal categories in Oklahoma. They describe the relationship between parties in what is otherwise charged as first-degree or second-degree rape under the statute. Both first-degree and second-degree rape convictions are Level III sex offenses, requiring lifetime registration with the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry and address verification with local law enforcement every 90 days.

Building a Defense Against Rape Charges in Oklahoma

My background as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney means I approach each rape case by first mapping how the state may try to build it, then identifying where that case can be challenged. The strategy depends on the specific facts, the available evidence, and what you want to achieve. Every case is different, and I develop the defense around the facts of yours.

Common defense approaches:

Consent: Where the position is that the alleged victim did consent to the sexual activity, I work to establish the factual and evidentiary basis for that argument.
False allegations: False accusations are a documented reality in sex crime cases. I examine the credibility of the accuser and the circumstances that led to the accusation.
Mistaken identity: When physical or forensic evidence doesn’t definitively connect the accused to the act, identity becomes a viable challenge.
Lack of evidence: When the prosecution can’t establish each element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, particularly in cases built primarily on testimony, I raise that threshold directly.
Alibi: Evidence placing the accused at a different location at the time of the alleged act can undercut the prosecution’s case.
Forensic evidence challenges: DNA analysis, toxicology reports, medical records, and digital communications all appear in rape prosecutions. Each can be challenged, contextualized, or used to support the defense.
Pre-trial suppression motions: At Oklahoma County District Court and throughout the state, I pursue motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence before trial. Removing that evidence from the prosecution’s case can change the trajectory significantly.

If law enforcement has contacted you, you have the constitutional right to refuse to answer questions and to consult an attorney first. Exercising that right early is one of the most protective steps available to anyone facing a rape allegation in Oklahoma City or the surrounding area. The window between initial investigation and formal charge is often when a defense attorney can have the greatest impact on how a case develops.

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Start Your Defense With a Free Consultation

If you’re facing a rape charge or believe you’re under investigation in Oklahoma City or Edmond, the time to act is now. I offer a free one-hour consultation, available by phone or virtually, and I’m available 24/7 to take your call. You’ll speak directly with me, not a receptionist or intake staff, and everything discussed is confidential.

I bring both prosecutorial insight and nearly 20 years of defense experience to every rape case I take. Call me at (405) 504-1858 or use the online contact form to schedule your consultation today.