When determining the appropriate charge for a person accused of committing a criminal offense, the district attorney shall have the discretion to file the charge as a misdemeanor offense rather than a felony offense after considering the following factors:
- 1. The criminal offense for which the person has been arrested is not listed as a criminal offense in Section 13.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes;
- 2. The nature of the criminal offense;
- 3. The age, background and criminal history of the person who committed the criminal offense;
- 4. The character and rehabilitation needs of the person who committed the criminal offense; and
- 5. Whether it is in the best interests of justice to file the charge as a misdemeanor offense rather than a felony offense.
Laws 2016, HB 2472, c. 219, § 1, eff. November 1, 2016.