Biography

Jim Drummond practices law in Norman, Oklahoma, with a primary focus on criminal defense, both trials and appeals, in federal and state courts. Jim has had significant success on appeals, including reversal of a state court conviction for child sexual abuse which sent an innocent man to prison until Jim’s appeals succeeded in obtaining his release. » See Jim’s most recent successes

One anonymous lawyer who responded to an inquiry from Marrtindale-Hubbell referred to Jim as an "excellent lawyer, of utmost integrity, and possessed of outstanding analytical and scholarly skills, an excellent communicator, articulate and highly thought of by members of the bar association." On avvo.com, Jim has received a rating of "10.0- Superb," the highest possible rating. You can also find avvo.com endorsements from former clients and other attorneys attesting to Jim's abilities here.

Prior to entering private practice in October 2008, Jim was Supervisor of the Death Penalty Habeas Unit of the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Oklahoma City, and previously had served as Chief of the Non-Capital Trial Division of the Oklahoma Indigent defense System for nine years. Jim is licensed
in Oklahoma and Arizona. Jim is a 2011 graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming. More details of his career and accomplishments are found by clicking here.

Persons charged with crimes may not be guilty, or they may not have committed as severe an offense as the prosecution alleges. Our entire system of justice depends on defense lawyers who fight hard for their clients, who keep up with changes in the law, and who are willing to consult with other lawyers about their cases to make sure the best defense is offered. Any lawyer who tells you that he knows everything about an area of law is deceiving you. When Jim is not sure about a legal or strategy point, he gets other opinions before developing his arguments and strategies. The Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association operates a secured access on-line community which the best lawyers consult every single day, asking and answering each others’ questions. When you hire
Jim, in one sense you are hiring the entire criminal defense bar of Oklahoma at no extra charge.

That said, Jim has presented continuing legal education courses at many seminars, and has written several scholarly articles on the law. Just as importantly,
Jim ensures that he is easy to reach, returns calls promptly, and listens carefully to his clients. Jim regards every client as his partner, because the client has unique knowledge about the case. Jim cannot promise always to agree with the client, and except for certain crucial decisions – such as whether the client
should testify, whether the client should accept a plea bargain, and whether the client should appeal a conviction – Jim makes final strategic decisions. If he
makes a decision contrary to the client’s desires, the client will always know why. Click here to read Jim’s Philosophy of Defense Manifesto.

Bar Admissions

Affiliations

Inaugural Chair, Criminal Law Section, Oklahoma Bar Association, 2005-2006

Commissioner, Oklahoma Sentencing Commission, July 2001-October 2006

Board member, Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 1999-2001, 2006-present

Board member, Oklahoma County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2007-present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1997-present

Chair, Oklahoma Bar Association Legal Ethics Advisory Panel, 2009-present

President, Cleveland County Bar Association, 2005-2006

Board Member, Oklahoma Lawyers Association, 2011-present