Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jan 2006
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2006 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Ty McMahan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

RISE IN FELONIES LINKED TO DRUGS

A record number of felonies were filed in Oklahoma County in 2005 and
officials say it's because of the prevalence of drugs, better law
enforcement training and new types of crime.

A total of 7,564 felonies were filed by the district attorney's office
last year, which is an increase of nearly 400 cases since 2000.

District attorney spokeswoman Debra Forshee said prosecutors and
police are better trained and know how to cooperate to reap the best
results.

"They're put out on the street with more on their tool belt than in
years past, and I know our office has done a much better job of
training our prosecutors," Forshee said. "They know what they're
looking for to make a case, and they can tell police what they need."

Forshee said the epidemic of methamphetamine use has contributed most
to the increase in felony charges. She said the crimes that accompany
meth addicts -- robbery, assault and bogus checks -- are the reason
the number of felony filings continues to grow.

"If we could eradicate meth, we would reduce crime in a lot of areas,"
Forshee said.

Forshee said technology also has provided new venues and tools for
criminals, which has resulted in a number of new charges, such as
computer crimes and identity theft. However, technology such as DNA
analysis has allowed more concrete evidence to catch criminals.

U.S. census figures show a population increase from 2000 to 2004 in
Oklahoma County of more than 3 percent, which also could be a reason
for the increase in charges, officials said.

Sidebar

Cases filed in Oklahoma County District Court 2000 -- 7,174 felonies,
3,230 misdemeanors

# 2001 -- 6,761 felonies, 4,404 misdemeanors

# 2002 -- 7,077 felonies, 5,047 misdemeanors

# 2003 -- 7,112 felonies, 4,960 misdemeanors

# 2004 -- 7,256 felonies, 5,119 misdemeanors

# 2005 -- 7,564 felonies, 4,775 misdemeanors

Source: Oklahoma County district attorney
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin