What are Oklahoma Court Records?

Transcripts

These are written records of things said during hearings, trials, and other court proceedings

Sworn Affidavits

These are written statements made under oath

Court Orders

These are official directives issued by a judge

Summonses Subpoenas

These documents notify individuals of lawsuits and order them to provide certain information

Evidence & Witness Testimonies

These are written documents, oral statements, and physical objects that are present in or to the court to prove or disprove facts presented in a case

Briefs

These are written arguments submitted by attorneys outlining their legal position and supporting evidence

Legal Motions

These are formal requests made to a court seeking a specific action or decision

Deposition Tapes

These are audio or video recordings of witness testimonies taken under oath outside the court

Judgments & Verdicts

These are conclusions and decisions reached in a case by a judge or jury (where applicable)

Court Minutes

These are official summarizations of court proceedings

Docket Sheets

These are chronological lists of all actions and filings in a case

Criminal Cases

Criminal cases involve actions and offenses that are deemed harmful to society at large. These actions are generally grouped based on the severity of the offense and the corresponding penalties:

• Felonies: these are serious offenses punishable by long-term imprisonment (usually more than a year), heavy fines, and the death penalty in extreme cases. Examples include armed robbery, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, and first-degree murder.
• Misdemeanors: these are less severe offenses punishable by fines, probation, and short-term imprisonment. Examples include petty theft and disorderly conduct.
• Traffic Violations: these are infractions of traffic laws that typically result in fines and do not carry jail time. Examples include running a red light, speeding, and parking violations.

In criminal cases, the State of Oklahoma represents the victim of the crime and prosecutes the individuals or organizations accused of committing the offense on their behalf. These cases usually begin with an investigation, followed by charges being brought against the accused parties (the defendant), arraignment, and, if necessary, a trial, during which both the prosecution and defense will be allowed to present evidence to argue their case. Jury trials are usually the default option for criminal cases in Oklahoma; however, the defendant may choose to waive this right and go for a bench trial (a trial without a jury).

It is important to note that, in criminal cases, the prosecution bears the burden of proof. This means they must demonstrate the defendant's guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt", a high standard designed to ensure that only those truly responsible for the crime are convicted.

Civil Cases

Unlike criminal cases, which focus on punishing offenders for their actions, civil cases seek to address disputes between people or organizations, resolve the issues, and provide compensation or other appropriate remedies, where necessary. Common examples of civil cases in Oklahoma include:

• Contract disputes
• Family law cases
• Personal injury claims
• Small claims cases
• Property disputes
• Probate matters
• Debt collection cases
• Civil rights cases

In civil cases, the person or organization initiating the case (known as the plaintiff) must prove their case against the defendant by a "preponderance of evidence". This is a lower standard of proof than what is obtainable in criminal cases and simply requires the plaintiff to demonstrate that their version of the facts is more likely truer than the defendant's version.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is Oklahoma's highest authority on civil matters and has the final say on all civil cases filed in the state. In addition to its appellate jurisdiction over civil matters, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has administrative responsibility over the state's judicial system, oversees state agencies, commissions, and boards, and can issue various legal writs, such as habeas corpus and mandamus. This court also has exclusive jurisdiction over challenges to state laws and changes to the Oklahoma Constitution.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court consists of nine justices appointed by the governor from a list of qualifying nominees provided by the state's Judicial Nominating Commission. These justices serve six-year terms, after which they must stand in a retention election in which voters decide if they are to continue the position for another term.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is one of two "courts of last resort" in the state and is the final authority on all criminal matters. This court has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over criminal cases and primarily handles appeals in serious criminal cases, including those involving the death penalty; it also has the authority to issue writs, such as habeas corpus, mandamus, and prohibition.

Note that, unlike civil cases, where either party may appeal the decision of a lower court, only the defendant has the right to appeal to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Also, the appellate process does not involve re-trying the case or introducing new evidence. Instead, the court reviews records of the original trial to determine whether the law was applied correctly and if the trial court's decision should be upheld or overturned.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals comprises five judges selected through a process that involves an initial review by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission before a confirmatory appointment by the governor. Appointed judges serve an initial six-year term and must stand for retention in a nonpartisan election if they wish to serve additional terms.

The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals

The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals is an intermediate appellate court that reviews decisions made by the District Courts in civil matters. This court is usually the last stop for most civil matters; however, its decisions can be further appealed to the state's Supreme Court.

The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals consists of 12 judges divided into four panels of three judges. The governor appoints these judges from a list of candidates recommended by the Judicial Nominating Commission, similar to the selection process for the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals. Court of Civil Appeals judges must also stand for retention elections every six years if they wish to remain in office.

Oklahoma District Courts

The District Courts are Oklahoma's courts of general jurisdiction, and they handle the majority of criminal and civil cases filed in the state. There are currently 77 District Courts across Oklahoma. District Courts in larger counties like Oklahoma and Tulsa Counties typically have specialized Civil, Criminal, Family Law, Juvenile, and Probate Divisions to manage their caseload efficiently.

District Court judges are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Interested candidates must have at least four years of experience as practicing attorneys or judges and must live in the district where the court is located.

Oklahoma Municipal Courts

Oklahoma Municipal Courts (sometimes called City Courts) are courts of limited jurisdiction that specifically handle violations of local laws and ordinances within their respective municipalities.

Municipal Court judges are typically appointed by the municipality's governing body and usually serve two-year terms (the specific selection process and length of their terms differ by location). Many of these judges work part-time, especially in smaller communities.

Specialized Courts

Oklahoma has several courts that handle specialized cases. These include:

• Workers' Compensation Court of Existing Claims: this court handles cases related to workers' compensation claims filed before February 1, 2014.
• Court of Tax Review: this court hears disputes that question the legality of taxes imposed by local governments.
• Problem-solving Courts: these are courts that seek to address specific issues, such as drug addiction and mental health, by focusing on providing rehabilitation and treatment instead of traditional incarceration.
• Court on the Judiciary: this is an independent court in the Oklahoma court system that determines whether state judges have engaged in misconduct, neglect of duty, or are otherwise unfit to serve. This court has the authority to remove, suspend, or censure judges (excluding Supreme Court justices) found guilty of misconduct or incompetence.

Tribal Courts

Tribal Courts in Oklahoma operate independently from the state's court system. These courts handle cases involving Native American law, and their jurisdiction is generally limited to matters that occur within their respective tribal lands and involve tribal members.