Calling a crime “violent” is not explicitly a reference to the nature of the acts charged. It is a legal term of art in which crimes are classified into groups affecting the way in which a prison sentence is calculated.

Oklahoma does not have what is called “truth in sentencing” (where 48 months in prison means you serve 48 months).

Folks get sentenced to specific terms of years and then the ACTUAL amount of time they serve in DOC depends on the type of crime (it’s classification as “violent”, “85%”, “50%”, or “non-violent”), and the other credits the inmate earns.

Credits are earned in different ways and for different things. IN SHORT- a crime being classified as “violent” under 57 O.S. 571 means it gets reduced credits in DOC, effectively lengthening the sentence (within the number of years the person is legally sentenced to).

For example: 9 years in prison on larceny of an automobile is going to be different than 9 years in prison on Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (3 years versus 4.5 years actually served).

But all of this depends on other factors as well: type of prior convictions, behavior while in DOC, classes or other activities completed in DOC (becoming increasingly less available).

The classification “violent” can also affect whether a person is eligible to discharge to halfway houses, on ankle monitors, or to minimum security facilities.

Classification of crimes is complicated. There are whole policies and statutes and cases about what it means. Merely making something “violent” doesn’t necessarily mean someone will serve longer. It means it’s going to be treated differently at DOC.