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| Oklahoma Court Records- Search OK State and County Court Records Databases. Lookup Defendants, Judgments, Liens, dockets, and Lawsuits in various jurisdictions, throughout the Oklahoma Court System. | |||
| Oklahoma Courts Online Court System State & County Court Records | |||
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Oklahoma’s court system is relatively uncommon in that it has two courts of last resort. The system is made up of 77 district courts, a Court of Civil Appeals, and, sharing space at the top of the heap, the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Supreme Court, which hears only civil appeals. Administrative services for the court system are provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Oklahoma Supreme Court The nine members of the Oklahoma Supreme Court are appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Committee. The court has both a chief justice, presently Joseph M. Watt, and a vice-chief, presently James L. Winchester. Unlike most state supreme courts, the Oklahoma Supreme Court does not hear criminal appeals. Its jurisdiction is limited to hearing appeals of civil cases. In making its decisions, the court interprets both state and federal constitutions. If the question presented is one purely of state law, the court is the final arbiter, and if it makes a decision granting greater rights than those preserved by the United States Constitution, then the U.S. Supreme Court cannot overturn the Oklahoma decision. The Supreme Court functions very differently from trial courts. There is no jury, and only rarely is testimony heard from witnesses. The court receives the record of the prior trial (a transcript) and any court papers filed in the case, and receives any written arguments or briefs filed by the involved lawyers. The court has discretion over whether it will even hear the case. In special cases, the court will not only accept the paperwork from the case for review, but will invite the lawyers to make oral arguments before the court. Cases not directed to the Court of Civil Appeals are assigned to an individual justice by the chief. The assigned justice reviews the matter and makes a recommendation to the court on whether to hear the case. If the petition for appeal is denied, then the Court of Civil Appeals’ decision is deemed to stand. If the Supreme Court accepts the case, then an individual justice is assigned to, with the aid of his or her legal staff, independently research the issues presented. A proposed opinion is written by that justice, and if at least five of the nine justices agree to the opinion, a decision is rendered by the court. If a justice disagrees with the opinion of the court’s majority, he or she can write a dissenting opinion. Even those who do agree can choose to write their own opinion in one of several forms, to better relate their personal reasons behind the decision. Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals The highest court in the state holding exclusive appellate jurisdiction over criminal cases was established by the first-ever state legislature when it convened in 1907. The Oklahoma Criminal Court of Appeals was perpetuated by the Second Legislature in 1909, when the legislature repealed all prior laws that were in conflict and gave the court exclusive appellate jurisdiction over criminal appeals. The Twenty-Seventh Legislature in 1959 changed the name from the Criminal Court of Appeals to the Court of Criminal Appeals. Beginning in 1968, judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals ran for retention on a nonpartisan, statewide ballot during general election years. If retained by voters, the judges serve a new, six-year term. If rejected, the vacancy will be filled by appointment of the governor. There are five judges on the court, with Charles S. Chapel presiding and Gary L. Lumpkin serving as vice-presiding judge. Over the past few years, a backlog of cases in the Court of Criminal Appeals has been virtually eliminated. Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals Most appellate decisions in Oklahoma are rendered by the Court of Civil Appeals. The court’s 12 judges as of mid-2007 are led by Chief Judge Kenneth L. Buettner and Vice-Chief Judge Keith Rapp. The court is actually composed of four divisions of three judges each, though two divisions meet in Tulsa and two in the capital city of Oklahoma City. Appeals are made to the Supreme Court from District Court, Worker’s Compensation Court, the Court of Tax Review, and state agencies such as the Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Oklahoma Corporation Commission and the Department of Human Services. Many of those appeals will be directed by the Supreme Court to the four civil appeals court divisions to actually be decided. The court’s docket and decisions are available online. Oklahoma District Courts Most judges in Oklahoma serve in District Court. These judges have the power to hear both civil and criminal matters, and as the “backbone of the judiciary,” often are the first judges a party might come in contact with during their case’s run through the judicial system. Nine presiding judges are elected by their peers to assist in the administration of Oklahoma’s trial courts. These judges, representing different geographic areas, meet monthly with members of the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals to discuss the administration of justice in the state. Civil cases appealed from District Court advance to the Court of Civil Appeals, and, if accepted by the justices, on to the Supreme Court. Criminal appeals arising from District Court are sent to the Court of Criminal Appeals as the court of last resort. Oklahoma Worker’s Compensation Court Oklahoma’s Worker’s Compensation Court is composed of 10 judges. The court’s limited jurisdiction involves on-the-job injuries occurring while a worker is performing within the scope of his or her employment. Appeals from Worker’s Compensation Court go to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
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| OK Court Web Sites - Online Access to County and State Court Records Data | |||
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Supreme Court Network - Information regarding new decisions from the Supreme Court, job openings, today's events, news and a QuickCase search. United States Bankruptcy Court - Northern District of Oklahoma United States Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of Oklahoma United States District Court - Western District of Oklahoma District Court Records for Oklahoma - Search district court records from participating courts in Oklahoma by county, name, party and case number. Oklahoma County Clerk - Office of the Court Clerk with information regarding civil cases, small claims cases, probate information, criminal information, traffic information, marriage licenses and forms. Dockets of Oklahoma Courts - Search one of the largest initiatives in the nation with more court dockets than other states. Electronic Law Library for Oklahoma - Search all Oklahoma legal materials online. Oklahoma Bar Association - Search the "Find a Lawyer" tool by practice area, city, county, state and last name. |
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| Oklahoma County Courthouse Clerks, Phone Numbers and Addresses | |||
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