Shelley L Levisay in Oklahoma City: Criminal Defense for Misdemeanor and Felony Cases
Shelley L Levisay is a criminal defense attorney based in Oklahoma City whose practice handles both misdemeanor and felony charges across Oklahoma County and surrounding jurisdictions. The practice accepts new clients for direct consultation and operates on a retainer or hourly fee basis depending on case scope.
What criminal defense looks like at this practice
Criminal defense at Levisay's office begins with an initial consultation where the attorney reviews charges, police reports, and arrest circumstances to assess case strength and strategy options. The consultation clarifies what plea negotiations versus trial preparation might involve, what evidence discovery will require, and what court timelines typically look like for your charge level. Misdemeanor cases (traffic violations, low-level drug possession, simple assault) generally proceed faster than felony matters (felony drug distribution, robbery, aggravated assault), and the attorney outlines those differences upfront so you know what to expect.
Fee structure and engagement
Levisay charges a retainer for ongoing representation, paid upfront and drawn against hourly work, or negotiates flat fees for specific services like misdemeanor representation through resolution. Retainer amounts vary based on case complexity and felony versus misdemeanor scope. Hourly rates and retainer figures should be confirmed directly, as they adjust with market conditions. Unlike some high-volume practices, this office handles a limited caseload per attorney, which means closer file management but also longer wait times for appointments during peak filing season (typically fall through early spring in Oklahoma County).
How this differs from other Oklahoma City criminal defense options
Oklahoma City criminal defense includes high-volume public defender assignments (available free to indigent defendants but often overloaded), larger criminal law firms with multiple attorneys handling high case volume, and solo practitioners charging varying retainers. Levisay's practice sits between those poles: solo representation with experience in both trial and negotiation, narrower caseload than high-volume shops, and direct client access rather than paralegal or junior attorney intermediaries. Choose this option if you want continuity with one attorney and have time to wait for an appointment; choose a larger firm if you need faster turnaround or have co-defendants requiring coordinated counsel; choose a public defender if you qualify for indigent representation.
What a first consultation covers
The initial meeting typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes. You should bring any arrest paperwork, court documents, and citation details. The attorney will ask you to walk through the arrest and events leading up to it, explain what charges you face and their penalties, outline what evidence the prosecution likely has, and discuss early case options (plea negotiations versus preliminary hearing strategy). You leave with a clearer picture of felony sentencing ranges or misdemeanor maximum penalties for your specific charges, what bail or bond conditions apply, and whether representation makes sense before your next court date.
Who this practice suits and does not
Levisay's practice works best for defendants facing serious misdemeanor charges or felony matters who want experienced one-on-one counsel and can afford a retainer up front. It suits people willing to wait for an appointment because their case does not require immediate emergency defense. It does not suit someone needing same-day representation before arraignment (public defender emergency motions or bail bondsmen can help there) or defendants on extremely tight budgets with no retainer capacity. If you qualify for indigent defense, your public defender is assigned at no cost and handles misdemeanor and felony work alike; Levisay's practice is appropriate once you have resources and want private counsel.
Hours and how to reach
Contact the office directly to schedule a consultation; phone and address details should be verified before visiting. Like most solo criminal defense practices in Oklahoma City, appointments are scheduled rather than walk-in, and availability tightens during heavy filing periods in fall and winter when Oklahoma County courts process more cases.
Shelley L Levisay handles the full range of criminal work that passes through Oklahoma County district court, with expertise in plea negotiation and trial preparation that justifies a narrower caseload than high-volume alternatives.
