Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1703 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1703
Application for certification - Examination - Certified
Status: in_force

methods of interpreting or translating.

A. Every applicant who seeks to be examined for enrollment as a

certified or registered spoken language courtroom interpreter shall

prove to the satisfaction of the State Board of Examiners of

Courtroom Interpreters that he or she:

1. Is of legal age;

2. Meets the requisite standards of ethical fitness as

established by the Board pursuant to the recommendation of the State

Ethics Commission; and

3. Has at least a high school education or its equivalent.

B. The Board shall promulgate rules establishing interpreter

credentialing standards and requiring the use of oral and written

interpreter examinations consistent with nationally recognized state

court interpreter certification standards including but not limited

to those developed through the National Center for State Courts

language access programs. Candidates shall be required to attend a

training program approved by the Board, and shall be required to

establish their proficiency in English and in the foreign language

through the written and oral examinations required by the Board.

1. A candidate seeking to become a registered courtroom

interpreter shall:

a. complete a courtroom interpreter orientation program

conducted or sponsored by the Board which shall

educate the candidate about interpreting in the

Oklahoma courts, interpreter skills development,

courtroom procedure and decorum, legal terminology,

methods and modes of interpretation and interpreter

ethics and professionalism,

b. successfully pass the court interpreter Written

English Examination approved by the Board with a score

of eighty percent (80%) or better in order to

demonstrate the candidate's knowledge of three areas

central to the work of a court interpreter (1) the

English language including language comprehension,

vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms and idioms; (2) court-

related terms and usage including legal terminology

and court procedures; and (3) interpreter ethics and

professional conduct,

c. establish basic proficiency in the foreign language by

successfully passing either an oral proficiency

interview or a written translation examination for the

foreign language being tested, as specified by the

Board, and

d. agree in writing to be bound by the Code of

Professional Responsibility for Courtroom Interpreters

in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 497

2. A candidate seeking to become a certified courtroom

interpreter shall:

a. be currently enrolled as a registered courtroom

interpreter in this state in accordance with the

Board's rules and examination standards, and

b. successfully pass the court interpreter oral

examination authorized by the Board for the language

being certified with an overall score of seventy

percent (70%) or better in each of the sections of the

exam in order to demonstrate the candidate possesses

the requisite degree of skill and ability in all three

modes of interpreting: simultaneous interpreting,

consecutive interpreting and sight translation.

3. The Board may adjust the examinations and the scores

required to pass each of the interpreter examinations in this state

in order to maintain equivalency with the nationally recognized

interpreter credentialing standards and maximize the reciprocity

between Oklahoma's interpreter credentialing program and other state

and national credentialing programs. For languages in which a

recognized three-part oral exam is unavailable, the Board may

authorize an abbreviated oral examination from the National Center

for State Courts, or other approved entity, if one is available. If

no abbreviated oral examination is available, the Board may, at its

discretion, recognize other oral proficiency examinations or

interviews on a per-language basis.

C. An applicant who is academically dishonest when taking any

authorized examination is disqualified and may not take the

examination again until five (5) years have elapsed from the date of

the examination at which the applicant is disqualified.

D. All applicants who satisfy the credentialing requirements

set forth in this section and in the Board's rules and have

otherwise been found and approved by the Board to be fit and proper

persons shall be recommended by the Board to the Supreme Court for

official enrollment as certified or registered courtroom

interpreters. Any individual enrolled as a certified or registered

courtroom interpreter is qualified to engage in the translation of

written text and the interpretation of spoken words in the courts of

this state.

E. In district court proceedings, the court shall endeavor to

obtain the services of a courtroom interpreter with the highest

available level of credential prior to accepting services of an

interpreter with lesser credential and skill, pursuant to the

requirements set forth in the Rules of the Supreme Court and Section

1710 of this title.

F. In determining whether an applicant meets the requisite

standards of ethical fitness as set forth in this section, the Board

is authorized to conduct a criminal history record check including

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 498

but not limited to a criminal history record check through the

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), or a national

criminal history record check through the Federal Bureau of

Investigation (FBI) pursuant to Section 150.9 of Title 74 of the

Oklahoma Statutes or other applicable statute. This paragraph is

specifically intended to provide the statutory authority required by

the OSBI and FBI to provide criminal history background check

services and information to the Board for this purpose. Applicants

shall furnish all releases, authorizations, fingerprints or other

items necessary to enable the Board to conduct the background check.

The Board shall charge the applicant a fee in an amount approved by

the Supreme Court for the background check.

G. The Board may maintain a registry of certified interpreters

for the deaf and hard-of-hearing to serve as qualified legal

interpreters pursuant to the provisions of Section 2408 of Title 63

of the Oklahoma Statutes. Applicants shall establish to the

satisfaction of the Board that they hold at least one of the sign

language interpreting credentials which the Board deems appropriate

for interpreting in the courts of this state, and shall satisfy the

registration requirements as set forth in the rules of the Board.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-91.7a — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-91.7a
Task Force for the Study of Business Courts
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created the Task Force for the Study of

Business Courts.

B. The task force shall consist of eleven (11) members to be

appointed or selected as follows:

1. Five members to be appointed by the Governor, one of whom

shall be designated by the Governor as the chair of the task force;

2. Two members to be appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma

House of Representatives;

3. Two members to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of

the Oklahoma State Senate;

4. One member to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the

Oklahoma Supreme Court; and

5. One member to be appointed by the Administrative Director of

the Courts.

C. The task force shall conduct an organizational meeting no

later than September 30, 2024. A majority of the members present at

the organizational meeting, or any subsequent meeting, shall

constitute a quorum for the purpose of any action except the vote on

the final report. A majority of the total membership of the task

force shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting on the

final report required by subsection H of this section.

D. The task force shall be authorized to meet as necessary in

order to perform the duties imposed on it.

E. The task force shall conduct a study to analyze the

implementation, effect, and impact of creating a Business Court

System in the State of Oklahoma. The study shall include but shall

not be limited to:

1. The existing Oklahoma court structure;

2. The examination and study of business court structures in

other states; and

3. Such other matters related to business courts as the task

force deems relevant.

F. Staff assistance for the task force shall be provided by the

staff of the Secretary of State.

G. The task force shall produce a preliminary written report

and a final written report of its findings and any recommendations

regarding the creation of business courts in this state which shall

include but not be limited to recommendations to determine:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 41

1. Matters that shall and shall not be heard in the business

court;

2. The manner in which a business court judge may be selected;

3. The qualifications, salary, and term limit of a business

court judge, and the manner in which a business court judge shall be

replaced if a vacancy occurs;

4. Whether an office for a secretary-bailiff shall be created

for business court judges and the compensation of a secretary-

bailiff;

5. How proper venue is to be determined for a case on the

business court docket;

6. A dollar amount to determine which district shall have

jurisdiction over a business court case;

7. Whether the business court shall exercise supplemental

jurisdiction;

8. Whether the business court judge may transfer a matter to a

civil docket;

9. The manner in which the transfer of qualified cases to the

business court shall occur, if at all;

10. If a business court judge should be disqualified from

hearing a case, or whether recusal should be required, and the

manner in which a business court judge shall be replaced;

11. The procedure governing an appeal from the business court;

12. Whether the business court may conduct remote proceedings;

13. Filing costs for actions filed in the business court; and

14. Such other recommendations as the task force deems

relevant.

H. The preliminary report shall be submitted to the Governor,

the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro

Tempore of the Senate not later than January 1, 2025. The final

report shall be submitted to the Governor, the Speaker of the House

of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate not

later than January 1, 2026.

I. Members of the task force shall be reimbursed for their

travel expenses from the resources of the appointing authority.

Members of the task force who are legislators shall not be eligible

to receive travel reimbursement.

J. The provisions of this section shall cease to have the force

and effect of law and the task force shall terminate effective

January 31, 2026.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.8f — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.8f
District No. 7 — Business court judge
Status: in_force

There is hereby established one (1) judicial office in District

No. 7 for the purpose of providing a business court judge.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.4a — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.4a
Transcripts - Access to copies - Costs
Status: in_force

A transcript of the court reporter's notes, upon request and for

the use of an indigent defendant or a district attorney, may not be

charged to the court fund unless, before its preparation, the cost

to be incurred was authorized by written judicial order.

When a judge authorizes or orders a transcript of the court

reporter's notes of any proceeding to be prepared at the expense of

the court fund, or where a prosecuting attorney orders such a

transcript at public or court fund expense and the accused as an

indigent is constitutionally entitled to a free copy of the

transcript, a reporter shall prepare an original and two copies of

the transcript so ordered and file it with the clerk of the trial

court. The court reporter shall immediately notify the district

attorney and the defendant of the date the transcript was filed. The

district attorney and the defendant shall have access to the copies

of the transcript on such terms as the trial court may impose. The

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 396

chief judge may prescribe rules for access to or disposition of the

copies of the transcript.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.28 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.28
Electoral divisions of District Nos. 7 and 14 -
Status: in_force

Description and maps.

The Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and

directed to prepare and publish a description and maps of the

respective electoral divisions of District Court Judicial District

Numbers 7 and 14, translating the descriptions by official Census

Tracts, Block Groups, and Census Blocks into commonly understood

descriptions by metes and bounds with reference to well-recognized

landmarks and boundaries. Copies of the descriptions and maps shall

be provided by the Department of Transportation to the State

Election Board by February 1, 1994.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1103.2 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1103.2
Limit on employee contributions – Purchase of service
Status: in_force

credit - Rollovers.

A. Subject to the provisions of this section, employee

contributions made to the System shall not exceed the maximum annual

additions permissible under Section 415 of the federal Internal

Revenue Code. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the

contrary, the Board may modify a request by a member to make

contributions to the System if the amount of the contributions would

exceed the limits under Section 415(c) or Section 415(n) of the

federal Internal Revenue Code subject to the following:

1. Where the System’s law requires a lump sum payment, for the

purchase of service credit, the Board may establish a periodic

payment plan in order to avoid a contribution in excess of the

limits under Section 415(c) or 415(n) of the federal Internal

Revenue Code. The Board may by rule adopt a procedure for the pick-

up of contributions for the purchase of service. However, the

implementation of the pick-up is subject to a favorable ruling by

the Internal Revenue Service; and

2. An eligible member in the System, as defined by Section 1526

of the federal Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, may purchase service

credit without regard to the limitations of Section 415(c)(1) of the

federal Internal Revenue Code as provided by state law in effect on

August 5, 1997.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 431

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary,

the Board may by rule permit the System to accept rollovers for the

purchase of service.

C. If the Board’s options under subsection A or B of this

section will not avoid a contribution in excess of the limits under

Section 415(c) or 415(n) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, the

Board shall reduce or deny the contributions.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-127 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-127
Judicial and District Attorney Redistricting Task Force -
Status: in_force

Members - Meetings - Staff.

A. There is hereby created until November 30, 2008, the

"Judicial and District Attorney Redistricting Task Force". The task

force shall study:

1. The redistricting of judicial districts; and

2. The redistricting of district attorney districts.

B. The task force shall be composed of fourteen (14) members as

follows:

1. Five members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the

Senate as follows:

a. two members of the Judiciary Committee,

b. two members of the Senate, and

c. one member of the Senate to serve as cochair of the

task force;

2. Five members appointed by the Speaker of the House of

Representatives as follows:

a. two members of the Judiciary Committee,

b. two members of the House of Representatives, and

c. one member of the House of Representatives to serve as

cochair of the task force;

3. Two district judges appointed by the Supreme Court; and

4. Two district attorneys appointed by the District Attorneys

Council.

C. The task force may meet as often as necessary to perform the

duties imposed upon it. Meetings shall be called jointly by the

cochairs of the task force. Members of the task force shall receive

no compensation for their service, but shall receive travel

reimbursement as follows:

1. Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed

for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their

duties in accordance with the provisions of Section 456 of Title 74

of the Oklahoma Statutes; and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 409

2. Nonlegislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed

for necessary travel expenses incurred in the performance of their

duties in accordance with the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

D. Staff support for the task force shall be provided by the

staffs of the Oklahoma State Senate and the Oklahoma House of

Representatives. A quorum of the task force shall be required for

any final action, and shall report its findings and recommendations

to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the

House of Representatives by November 30, 2008.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-10 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-10
Manner of trial
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 12

The Supreme Court may try said issue of fact in banc or may

designate one of its members to preside at such trial; and a jury

shall be secured as provided in the following section. The Court or

the justice trying the same shall conduct said trial, and the

verdict therein shall be rendered in the same manner as the trial of

issues of fact in civil causes in district courts.

R.L. 1910, § 1756.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1104D — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1104D
Increase in benefits for certain judges
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 439

Any justice or judge or surviving spouse of a deceased justice

or judge who, on September 30, 1982, is receiving benefits from The

Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges shall be entitled

to receive an increase of ten percent (10%) of such benefits

beginning October 1, 1982.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.25 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.25
Okfuskee, Okmulgee and Creek Counties
Status: in_force

District No. 24. The counties of Okfuskee, Okmulgee and Creek.

A. For elections occurring before January 1, 2018, the district

shall have five (5) district judges to be nominated and elected as

follows: One candidate to be nominated and elected at large and a

legal resident of Okfuskee County; two candidates to be nominated

and elected at large and legal residents of Okmulgee County; and two

candidates to be nominated and elected at large and legal residents

of Creek County, all of whom shall be elected at large.

B. For elections occurring on or after January 1, 2018, the

district shall have four (4) district judges to be nominated and

elected as follows: One candidate to be nominated and elected at

large and a legal resident of Okfuskee County; one candidate to be

nominated and elected at large and a legal resident of Okmulgee

County; and two candidates to be nominated and elected at large and

legal residents of Creek County.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.3 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.3
District No. 2
Status: in_force

District No. 2.

A. Until January 6, 2003, the counties of Ellis, Roger Mills,

Custer, Beckham, Greer and Harmon. Said district shall have one

district judge to be nominated and elected at large.

B. Effective January 6, 2003, the counties of Washita, Ellis,

Roger Mills, Custer, and Beckham. Said district shall have one

district judge to be nominated and elected at large.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1105 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1105
Office of State Supernumerary Judges abolished -
Status: in_force

Retirement of Justices or Judges.

From and after January 13, 1969, former supernumerary judges

shall become and be known as retired Justices or judges, as the case

may be. They shall receive as retirement compensation, an amount

equal to the benefits received by them before that date, payable

monthly by the Judicial Retirement System. A former supernumerary

Justice or judge who stands assigned by the Supreme Court to active

judicial service duty shall receive as his annual retirement

compensation, an amount equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of

Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($17,500.00) payable

monthly, for so long as he continues in full-time active duty under

such assignment.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.11 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.11
Congressional Districts
Status: in_force

Judges of the Court of Civil Appeals shall be elected or

appointed from the Congressional Districts with the boundaries as

they exist at the time the Judge is elected or appointed to office;

however, should the boundaries of the six Congressional Districts be

revised and elections for the office of United States Representative

be conducted using the revised boundaries, then the revised

boundaries shall also be used in the conduct of any elections

required for the office of Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals;

except that Judges of the Court of Civil Appeals seeking retention

shall be retained in the original Congressional District from which

they were elected or appointed; provided, however, nothing in this

section shall be construed to require a change of residence of a

Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals seeking retention. Should the

number of Congressional Districts be increased or decreased the

sections which define the area of each of the six Congressional

Districts shall remain in effect for the purpose of this act, and at

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 23

that time the sections shall be renumbered and codified in this

title of the Oklahoma Statutes following this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1224 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1224
Transfer of surplus funds from Law Library Fund
Status: in_force

On August 1 each year the board of trustees shall transmit to

the Supreme Court for deposit in the State Judicial Revolving Fund

all funds on deposit in the law library fund in excess of twenty-

five percent (25%) of the income to such Fund during the preceding

fiscal year, the existing surplus on hand on the effective date of

this act being excluded.

Added by 1975, c. 55, § 11, emerg. eff. April 9, 1975. Amended by
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-22 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-22
Division of state into judicial administrative districts
Status: in_force

The state is hereby divided into judicial administrative

districts as follows:

1. Northeastern. District Court Judicial Districts, Numbers

Ten (10), Eleven (11), Twelve (12), and Thirteen (13).

2. Southeastern. District Court Judicial Districts, Numbers

Sixteen (16), Seventeen (17), Nineteen (19), and Twenty-five (25).

3. Oklahoma-Canadian Counties. District Court Judicial

Districts, Numbers Seven (7) and Twenty-six (26).

4. Northwest-Panhandle. District Court Judicial Districts,

Numbers One (1), Two (2), and Four (4).

5. South-Central. District Court Judicial Districts, Numbers

Twenty (20), Twenty-one (21), and Twenty-two (22).

6. Tulsa-Pawnee Counties. District Court Judicial District,

Number Fourteen (14).

7. East-Central. District Court Judicial Districts, Numbers

Fifteen (15), Eighteen (18), and Twenty-four (24).

8. North-Central. District Court Judicial Districts, Numbers

Eight (8), Nine (9), and Twenty-three (23).

9. Southwestern. District Court Judicial Districts, Numbers

Three (3), Five (5), and Six (6).
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.1
Court reporters - Determination of number needed
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court, with the aid of the Administrative Director

of the Courts, shall determine the number of full-time and part-time

court reporters that may be appointed in each judicial

administrative district of the state in the manner as hereinafter

provided by this act. In determining how many court reporters are

needed in each administrative district the Supreme Court shall

consider the following factors: (1) case loads in the administrative

district; (2) the number of district judges, associate district

judges and special judges in the administrative district; (3) the

number of cities and towns within each administrative district in

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 392

which regular court sessions are held and the distance in road miles

between each; and (4) any other factor deemed relevant by the

Supreme Court. The Court may, as the need arises, increase or

decrease the number of court reporters so authorized, and the Court

may, where the business of a court requires it, authorize the

presiding judge of the administrative district in which said court

is located to employ a temporary court reporter.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.8 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.8
Travel expenses
Status: in_force

Travel expenses of Judges of the Court of Civil Appeals incurred

in performing their duties shall be reimbursed pursuant to the State

Travel Reimbursement Act, Section 500.1 et seq. of Title 74 of the

Oklahoma Statutes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1706 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1706
Certification from other national entities
Status: in_force

A person holding a certification from a national entity which is

deemed by the State Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom

Interpreters to be equivalent to that of an Oklahoma certified

courtroom interpreter may apply to be enrolled without examination

as an Oklahoma certified courtroom interpreter upon payment of fees

established by the Board with the approval of the Supreme Court and

satisfying the Board that such person's credentials are in proper

order.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.26 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.26
District No. 25
Status: in_force

District No. 25. The counties of Coal and Atoka. Said district

shall have one district judge to be nominated and elected at large.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1662 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1662
Office supplies - Transfer of office materials
Status: in_force

A. The Council on Judicial Complaints may rent office space

from the Oklahoma Bar Association or shall be assigned office space

by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services pursuant to

Section 94 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

B. All records, furnishings, equipment, and supplies of the

Supreme Court used by the Council on Judicial Complaints are hereby

transferred to the Council on Judicial Complaints.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-81 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-81
Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
Status: in_force

A. At the discretion of the Supreme Court, the Court may create

a Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. The panel may consist

of five (5) active judges selected by the Chief Justice of the

Supreme Court. The judges may be either judges of the district

court or appellate judges. The members of the panel shall serve at

the pleasure of the Chief Justice.

B. If there exist a sufficient number of cases to justify

consolidation and if the cases are at a comparable stage in the

litigation, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation may

transfer civil actions involving one or more common questions of

fact pending in the same or different district courts to any

district court for consolidated or coordinated proceedings, giving

due weight, consideration and preference to the district court

wherein the first civil action was filed.

C. If the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation finds that

the civil actions are not at comparable stages in the litigation,

the Panel may stay one or more of the actions pending resolution of

the common questions of fact in one of the other actions, giving due

weight, consideration and preference to the first civil action filed

and the action which has reached the furthest stage of litigation.

D. Nothing in this section shall expand the existing law as to

the binding effect of a court’s rulings in one of the actions to the

other actions prior to the date of consolidation or as to any case

that is stayed by the Panel.

E. A transfer or stay may be made by the Judicial Panel on

Multidistrict Litigation if the panel determines that the transfer

or stay shall:

1. Be for the convenience of the parties and witnesses; and

2. Promote the just and efficient conduct of actions giving due

weight and consideration to binding or nonbinding effects of prior

and future court rulings on the parties to the cases to be

consolidated or stayed.

F. A transfer or stay may be for the remainder of an action or

for any particular stage of an action.

G. A judge who is qualified and authorized by law to preside in

the court to which an action is transferred pursuant to this section

may preside over the transferred action as if the transferred action

were originally filed in that court.

H. The Supreme Court shall promulgate rules for the

implementation of this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1308 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1308
Deposits in State Judicial Retirement Fund and State
Status: in_force

Judicial Fund.

Clerks in counties having a population of less than seventy

thousand (70,000) must transmit each quarter for deposit in the

State Judicial Revolving Fund the amount by which the receipts

deposited in the court fund for the quarter, including the interest

earned on the court fund, exceeds the expenses for the quarter,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 460

provided the court clerk shall retain from the excess amount a sum

equal to twenty percent (20%) of the expenses for the quarter.

Clerks in counties having a population of seventy thousand (70,000)

or more shall transmit each month for deposit in the State Judicial

Revolving Fund the amount by which the receipts deposited in the

court fund for the reporting period for the report required by

Section 1307 of this title, including interest earned on the court

fund, exceeds the expenses for the reporting period, provided the

clerk shall retain from the excess amount a sum equal to twenty

percent (20%) of the expenses for the reporting period. Within

thirty (30) days after the end of each fiscal year, the court clerk,

in addition to the other amounts due hereunder, shall transmit to

the Supreme Court for deposit in the State Judicial Revolving Fund

an amount equal to the gross receipts for the entire past fiscal

year less the total amount of expenses, as defined in subsection A

of Section 1307 of this title, and less the transfers made for the

past fiscal year.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1704 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1704
Continuing education - Exemptions
Status: in_force

A. Every registered or certified courtroom interpreter shall

annually complete at least eight (8) hours of continuing education

approved by the State Board of Examiners of Courtroom Interpreters,

which shall include at least two (2) hours which relate to Oklahoma

court rules and procedures or interpreter ethics.

B. A certified courtroom interpreter is exempt from the

requirement of subsection A of this section if the interpreter

verifies under oath to the State Board of Examiners of Certified

Courtroom Interpreters that such person:

1. Is a member of the armed forces on full-time active duty

which has prevented the court interpreter from completing continuing

education during the calendar year for which the interpreter or

translator seeks an exemption; or

2. Has provided written verification by a licensed physician

that a medical condition has prevented the court interpreter from

working in such capacity and completing continuing education for the

calendar year for which the interpreter seeks an exemption.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-55 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-55
Qualification rules for court-appointed attorney
Status: in_force

No later than August 1, 1993, the Court of Criminal Appeals

shall establish qualification rules for determining when a defendant

in a criminal case shall be entitled to a court-appointed attorney.

It is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature that a criminal

defendant shall be entitled to an individualized determination of

bail as guaranteed by the Oklahoma Constitution.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.3B — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.3B
Persons qualified for appointment as court reporter
Status: in_force

Only the following persons may act and are eligible for

appointment on a full-time or part-time basis as official court

reporters for the courts, including the Workers' Compensation

Commission, Workers' Compensation Court of Existing Claims, and the

Corporation Commission:

1. Persons now certified or hereafter certified by the State

Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters shall be given

primary consideration for appointment;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 393

2. Persons who, prior to July 1, 1978, were licensed as

licensed shorthand reporters by the State Board of Examiners of

Certified Shorthand Reporters shall be given secondary consideration

for appointment;

3. Persons who, prior to July 1, 1978, were acting shorthand

reporters under a certificate issued by the Chief Justice;

4. When no person eligible for appointment as an official court

reporter, as provided above, is available for appointment, a

presiding judge or a district judge may make application to the

Chief Justice to appoint a shorthand reporter on a temporary basis.

The candidate must file with the State Board of Examiners of

Certified Shorthand Reporters a properly completed application for a

temporary certificate, along with any other supporting documents or

information required by the Board, and shall pay the applicable

examination fee as set forth in the fee schedule issued by the Board

which shall be deposited with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The

Board shall advise the Chief Justice if the applicant is recommended

for a temporary certificate. The Chief Justice may issue a

temporary certificate valid for not more than twelve (12) months.

The temporary certificate shall be nonrenewable, except in emergency

situations as determined by the Chief Justice. Absent good cause

shown as determined by the State Board of Examiners of Certified

Shorthand Reporters, a temporary certificate holder shall sit for at

least one Oklahoma certified shorthand reporter examination

administered during the term of the temporary certificate. The

holder shall be required to transcribe the examination, and the

examination results shall be reported to the holder's supervisory

judge;

5. The appointment of an official court reporter by a district

or presiding judge shall be subject to the approval of the Chief

Justice. Before giving his approval to the appointment, the Chief

Justice shall determine, with the aid of the Administrative Director

of the Courts, that the appointing judge has given proper

consideration to the statutory preference accorded herein to

certified and licensed reporters; and

6. A temporary court reporter, either while so serving or after

the expiration of this appointment, shall be required to transcribe

any testimony and other proceedings taken by him and to certify that

the transcription is true and correct. A transcript certified by a

temporary court reporter shall have the same effect as one certified

by a regular court reporter.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1601.2 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1601.2
Power to certify
Status: in_force

Power to Certify. The Supreme Court or the Court of Criminal

Appeals of this state, on the motion of a party to pending

litigation or on its own motion, may certify a question of law to

the highest court of another state, or of a federally recognized

Indian tribal government, or of Canada, a Canadian province or

territory, Mexico, or a Mexican state if:

1. The pending litigation involves a question to be decided

under the law of the other jurisdiction;

2. The answer to the question may be determinative of an issue

in the pending litigation; and

3. The question is one for which an answer is not provided by a

controlling appellate decision, constitutional provision, or statute

of the other jurisdiction.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1601 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1601
Short title
Status: in_force

Short Title. This act may be cited as the Revised Uniform

Certification of Questions of Law Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1406 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1406
Approval of claims
Status: in_force

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may authorize the

Administrative Director to approve claims that the Chief Justice may

approve.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1513 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1513
Prohibited acts - Penalties
Status: in_force

A. A court reporter or owner of a court reporting firm shall

not:

1. Enter into any contract or relationship that compromises the

impartiality of court reporters or that may result in the appearance

that the impartiality of a court reporter has been compromised;

2. Enter into a blanket contract, other than with a court or

governmental agency, under which the court reporter or owner of a

court reporting firm agrees to perform all court reporting services

in two or more cases at a rate of compensation fixed in the

contract;

3. Enter into a contract that requires a court reporter to

provide any service that is not available to all parties to an

action; or

4. Enter into a contract that gives or appears to give an

exclusive advantage to any party to an action.

B. A violation of this section shall be grounds for the State

Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters to refuse to

renew the enrollment of a certified or licensed court reporter. A

willful violation of this section shall be grounds for the Board to

suspend, cancel, or revoke the enrollment of a certified or licensed

court reporter.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-3018 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-3018
Construction of act
Status: in_force

A. Nothing in this act shall be construed:

1. To prohibit, restrain, or limit the lawful investigation or

reporting by the press of any unlawful activity or misconduct

alleged to have been committed by an at-risk individual or their

immediate family;

2. To impair access to decisions and opinions from a member of

the State Judiciary in the course of carrying out their public

functions;

3. To limit the publication or transfer of covered information

that the at-risk individual or their immediate family member

voluntarily publishes on the Internet after the date of enactment of

this act; or

4. To prohibit information sharing by a commercial entity to a

federal, state, tribal, or local government, or any unit thereof.

B. This act shall be broadly construed to favor the protection

of the covered information of at-risk individuals and their

immediate family.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-644 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-644
Courts or counties abolished or abandoned - Courts
Status: in_force

declared invalid - Transfer of pending cases.

Whenever any court is heretofore or may hereafter be created and

thereafter abandoned, or where any county is heretofore or hereafter

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 412

abandoned, all civil or criminal cases, which may be filed in such

created courts or in the courts of such created counties, shall be

transferred to the court of said county wherein such court town is

located, or, if the county is created and thereafter abandoned, the

cases filed, and the dockets and records of said court are hereby

transferred, and a new county created and thereafter abandoned, all

cases filed in the district court or in the county court, shall be

hereafter transferred into courts of such counties having

jurisdiction over the territory formerly under the jurisdiction of

such county and courts and such judge, of the newly organized

county, or the county in which the territory of such courts was

located, shall have complete jurisdiction over all cases therein

pending and dispose of same as if said cases were originally filed

in such court and dispose of things as fully and completely as if

such court had original jurisdiction of said matter. Whenever a

court is created with jurisdiction concurrent to that of a district

court and such newly created court is later abandoned, abolished, or

declared invalid, all civil or criminal cases filed in such created

court shall be transferred to the district court of the district

wherein such created court exercised concurrent jurisdiction. The

transfer of said cases shall be accomplished forthwith under the

direction of the district judge by the court clerk of the county in

which said created court is later abandoned, abolished, or declared

invalid, and said transfer to the district court shall have the same

effect as if said cases had been originally filed in the said

district court and no additional court costs shall be assessed for

such transfer or docketing in the district court. Said district

court shall be the successor court for all purposes to the created

court which was later abandoned, abolished, or declared invalid.Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 4
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-128 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-128
Juvenile court case managers
Status: in_force

A. Juvenile court case managers may be appointed in any county

pursuant to subsection C of this section.

B. The duties of the juvenile court case managers shall be:

1. To assist judges with juvenile docket responsibilities in

the appointing county by ensuring that juvenile cases proceed

through the court process in a timely and effective manner by

accurately tracking cases, ensuring consistent data entry,

conducting review of open cases and monitoring open case reports to

ensure compliance with all federal and state statutory requirements;

2. To increase the amount of information available to the court

for its consideration by acting as liaison between parties,

attorneys and other professionals and the judges;

3. To encourage accountability and communication among

professionals, parties, participants and attorneys; and

4. To perform any other duties necessary to assist the court in

carrying out its judicial functions under Title 10A of the Oklahoma

Statutes.

C. Juvenile court case managers shall be selected by the chief

of the juvenile division of the district court subject to the

approval of the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Juvenile court case managers shall serve at the pleasure of the

chief of the juvenile division.

D. To be eligible for appointment as a juvenile court case

manager, a person shall possess at least one of the following

minimum qualifications:

1. Be an attorney licensed to practice law in this state with

at least two (2) years' experience in juvenile or family law; or

2. Hold a bachelor's degree in the social sciences or related

field from an accredited college or university and three (3) years'

experience working with court procedures, juvenile law or social

work. A master's degree in social sciences may substitute for one

(1) year of the required experience.

E. Each juvenile court case manager shall be a full-time or

part-time state employee and receive a salary to be determined by

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 410

the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court to be paid from the

State Judicial Fund.

F. The juvenile divisions of the district courts located in two

or more adjoining counties may enter into an agreement to employ a

single juvenile court case manager to serve the needs of the

juvenile court judges in those counties. Such juvenile court case

manager shall be employed and serve in the same manner as those

employed for individual counties.

G. In the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, the Oklahoma

Supreme Court is authorized to employ up to ten full-time juvenile

court case managers. Five shall be in Oklahoma County, four shall

be in Tulsa County and one shall be in Washington County.

H. In the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2015, in addition to

the juvenile court case managers authorized in subsection G of this

section, the Oklahoma Supreme Court is authorized to employ up to

five full-time juvenile court case managers. One shall be in

Canadian County, one shall be in Cleveland County, one shall be in

Comanche County, one shall be in Creek County and one shall be in

Pottawatomie, Lincoln and Seminole Counties, respectively.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1304A — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1304A
Publication of court dockets in certain counties -
Status: in_force

Payment of expenses.

In each county with a population of more than two hundred

thousand (200,000) according to the latest Federal Decennial Census,

the chief judge of the district court may, with the concurrence of

the majority of the district judges regularly serving in the county,

authorize the publication of court dockets in a daily newspaper

designated by order of such judges, which newspaper is qualified by

law to publish legal notices. The cost of such service shall be

paid for by the court clerk out of the court fund on a monthly

basis. It shall be computed by multiplying the number of all civil

cases filed during the preceding month, save and except small claims

suits and juvenile, mental health, habeas corpus and paternity

proceedings, by the sum of Three Dollars ($3.00). The amount so

computed shall be paid to the designated newspaper publisher upon a

verified claim presented to the court clerk. The newspaper

designated under the provisions of this act shall publish daily a

docket that shall include jury, nonjury, motion and demurrer,

criminal and civil dockets as well as all such other proceedings of

the district court sitting in the county as the chief judge, with a

concurrence of the majority of the district judges regularly serving

in the county, may order.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1
Number of justices – Terms of office
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall consist of nine (9) Justices. Each

Justice in office on July 1, 2020, shall serve the term for which

the Justice was appointed or retained in office by retention ballot

and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified, unless

the Justice vacates the office prior to the end of his or her term

or is removed from office as provided by law. Any Justice in office

on July 1, 2020, shall be eligible for retention in the same office

for succeeding terms.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 8
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-24 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-24
Rule-making authority not limited
Status: in_force

Nothing herein shall impliedly limit the rule-making authority

which the Supreme Court inherently has or has by virtue of other

statutory provisions.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-48 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-48
Opinions to be delivered to reporter
Status: in_force

As soon as the opinions are recorded, the original, together

with the records and papers in each case to be reported, shall be

delivered by the Clerk of said Court to State Reporter. The Clerk

shall take his receipt for the same, but the Reporter shall return

to said Clerk the said opinions, records and papers when he shall

have finished using them.

R.L. 1910, § 1777.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1313.4 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1313.4
Forensic Science Improvement Revolving Fund –
Status: in_force

Assessment – Collection.

A. In addition to the penalty assessments and fees imposed by

Sections 1313.2 and 1313.3 of this title, any person convicted of

any offense, including traffic offenses, but excluding parking and

standing violations, punishable by a fine of Ten Dollars ($10.00) or

more or by incarceration, or any person forfeiting any bond when

charged with any offense, shall be ordered by the court to pay a

Forensic Science Improvement Assessment in the amount of Ten Dollars

($10.00) for each offense. The assessment shall be in addition to,

and not in substitution for, any and all fines and penalties

otherwise provided by law for the offense. The assessment shall be

collected at the time and in the manner as the fees provided in

Sections 1313.2 and 1313.3 of this title. Each municipal court

clerk is authorized to retain five percent (5%) of the assessment

collected by each municipal court clerk pursuant to the provisions

of this section. All court clerks shall send the assessments

collected to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for deposit

into the Forensic Science Improvement Revolving Fund created by

Section 150.35 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes less any amount

authorized to be retained. The deposits of funds collected pursuant

to the provisions of this section shall be due and payable as

required in subsection H of Section 1313.2 of this title. Any funds

deposited as required by this section shall be listed as a separate

item from other deposits made pursuant to Sections 1313.2 and 1313.3

of this title.

B. As used in this section, "convicted" and "court" shall have

the same meaning as defined by Section 1313.2 of this title.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1508 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1508
Metal seals - Use of abbreviations - Powers of certified
Status: in_force

reporters.

Every person enrolled as a certified shorthand reporter shall be

entitled to use the abbreviation C.S.R. after his name and shall

receive from the Board, without additional charge, a metal seal with

his name and the words "Oklahoma Certified Shorthand Reporter".

Every person enrolled as a licensed shorthand reporter shall be

entitled to use the abbreviation L.S.R. after his name and shall

receive from the Board, without additional charge, a metal seal with

his name and the words "Oklahoma Licensed Shorthand Reporter".

Court reporters holding a temporary certificate shall not be allowed

the use of a seal. The determination of the format and construction

of the seal shall rest with the Supreme Court of the State of

Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Supreme Court shall determine the procedures

to be used in the distribution of all shorthand reporter seals.

Certified shorthand reporters shall be authorized to issue

affidavits in respect to their regular duties, to subpoena witnesses

for depositions, administer oaths and affirmations with authority

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 484

equal to that of a notary public, and to take depositions or other

sworn statements. Licensed shorthand reporters shall have the same

authority while employed as official court reporters.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-5 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-5
Justices not to be candidates for nonjudicial office
Status: in_force

No Justice of the Supreme Court shall become, during the term

for which he may be elected or appointed, a candidate for any office

other than a judicial position.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1652 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1652
Council on Judicial Complaints
Status: in_force

A. The Council on Judicial Complaints is an agency in the

Executive Department.

B. The Council shall not be subject to the provisions of the

Oklahoma Sunset Law.

C. The Council shall not be subject to the provisions of the

Oklahoma Open Meeting Act when conducting, discussing, or

deliberating any matter relating to a complaint received or filed

with the Council.

D. The Council shall be subject to the provisions of the

Oklahoma Open Records Act to the extent provided in paragraph 2 of

Section 24A.3 of Title 51 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 489

E. 1. Employees of the Council shall be in the unclassified

service for the purposes of the Oklahoma Personnel Act.

2. Employees shall be members of the Oklahoma Public Employees

Retirement System and shall be eligible to participate in employee

benefit programs administered by the Oklahoma State and Education

Employees Group Insurance Board.

3. Any person who is employed by the Council who is a state

employee at the time he or she is hired by the Council shall retain

and continue to accrue all state employee benefits without a break

in service.

F. The Council shall not be subject to the provisions of the

Records Management Act nor to the rules of the Archives and Records

Commission.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-49 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-49
Opinions - Form - Filing
Status: in_force

The decisions of the Court of Criminal Appeals shall be in such

form as the Court shall specify. They shall be filed with the

papers in the case and shall be treated as part of the record in the

case; provided, that a mandate shall not be sent to the court below

until a decision has been filed in the office of the Clerk of the

Supreme Court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-31 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-31
Judges - Qualifications - Salaries
Status: repealed

The Court of Criminal Appeals shall consist of five (5) Judges,

any three of whom shall constitute a quorum, and the concurrence of

three Judges shall be necessary to a decision of said Court. Said

Judges shall have the same qualifications and receive the same

salaries as Justices of the Supreme Court.

R.L. 1910, § 1759. Amended by Laws 1987, c. 185, § 1, eff. Nov. 1,

1987; Laws 1997, c. 384, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Laws 2004, c. 449,

§ 6, eff. July 1, 2005.

NOTE: Laws 2004, c. 442, § 1 repealed by Laws 2005, c. 1, § 11,

emerg. eff. March 15, 2005.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1313.6 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1313.6
Penalty assessment in addition to penalties for
Status: in_force

offenses punishable pursuant to Sections 11-901 and 11-902 of Title

47.

A. As used in this section:

1. “Convicted” means any final adjudication of guilt, whether

pursuant to a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or otherwise, and

any deferred or suspended sentence or judgment; and

2. “Court” means any district court having jurisdiction to

impose a criminal fine or penalty.

B. In addition to any other penalty assessment imposed by law,

any person convicted of any offense punishable pursuant to Section

11-901 or 11-902 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or any person

forfeiting bond when charged with such an offense, shall be ordered

by the court to pay a fee of One Hundred Fifty-five Dollars

($155.00) as a separate penalty assessment. The assessment and fee

shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any and all

fines and penalties otherwise provided for by law for such offense.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 470

C. The fee shall be collected at the same time and in the same

manner as the penalty assessments provided for in Sections 1313.2

and 1313.3 of this title. As an administrative fee for handling

funds collected as a penalty assessment, each court clerk is

authorized to retain all interest accrued thereon prior to the due

date for deposits as provided in this subsection. The court clerk

shall deposit the fee collected pursuant to this section in the

account provided for in subsection D of Section 1313.2 of this

title, and the amounts imposed by this section shall be forwarded

monthly in one check or draft to the Department of Public Safety to

be deposited in the Department of Public Safety Patrol Vehicle

Revolving Fund.

D. The deposits required by this section shall be included in

the report required by Section 1313.2 of this title and shall be

listed as a separate item.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1107 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1107
Assignment of certain retired Justices and judges to
Status: in_force

judicial duties.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary as set forth in Senate

Bill No. 494, of the Second Session of the Thirty-first Oklahoma

Legislature, Justices or judges holding a supernumerary status,

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 441

prior to the enactment of said Senate Bill No. 494, may, upon

written application to the Court Administrator, be assigned judicial

duties by the Supreme Court.

Any judge or Justice retired under the provisions of said Senate

Bill No. 494 may, upon written application to the Court

Administrator, be assigned judicial duties by the Supreme Court.

Provided, such application for assignment or the actual assignment

for judicial duty shall not constitute the creation of a public

office under the provisions of this act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1220 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1220
Counties in excess of 300,000 population - National
Status: in_force

Association of Law Librarians - Dues - Conventions.

In all counties of this state having a population in excess of

three hundred thousand (300,000) according to the 1960 Federal

Decennial Census or any subsequent Federal Decennial Census, the

board of law library trustees in any county establishing a county

law library, in addition to the duties and authority now provided by

law, are hereby authorized, from the funds in its hands, to pay the

annual dues of the librarian in the National Association of Law

Librarians, and in addition thereto, the necessary expenses of such

librarian in attending the annual conventions of such National

Association of Law Librarians.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 453
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1313.7 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1313.7
Medical expense liability fee - Remission of fees to
Status: in_force

Medical Expense Liability Revolving Fund - Criteria for use of

monies.

A. In addition to the fees imposed by Sections 1313.2 and

1313.3 of this title, any person convicted of any offense, excluding

municipal ordinances, traffic offenses and parking and standing

violations, but including violations of Section 11-902 of Title 47

of the Oklahoma Statutes, punishable by a fine of Ten Dollars

($10.00) or more or by incarceration or any person forfeiting bond

when charged with such offense, shall be ordered by the court to pay

a medical expense liability fee in the amount of Ten Dollars

($10.00) for each offense to the Medical Expense Liability Revolving

Fund provided for in Section 746.1 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma

Statutes. The fee shall be in addition to and not in substitution

for any and all fines and penalties otherwise provided for by law

for such offense.

B. The county court clerk shall cause to be deposited the

amount of Ten Dollars ($10.00) as collected, for every conviction as

described in this subsection. The county court clerk shall remit

the monies in the fund on a monthly basis to the Medical Expense

Liability Revolving Fund.

The monies from the Medical Expense Liability Revolving Fund

shall be used when all of the following criteria are met:

1. The county has not filed a claim against the fund in the

previous twelve (12) months;

2. A county jail in this state is determined to be liable for

the medical expense or expenses of a state inmate or person in

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 471

custody on state charges as provided by law. The minimum expense

amount that shall qualify for consideration is Six Thousand Dollars

($6,000.00) per ailment or injury;

3. The county clerk of the county makes a written claim to the

State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board regarding a

county medical expense. In addition to the written claim, all of

the medical records and bills shall be submitted that relate to the

medical expense under consideration; and

4. It is determined that the state inmate or person in custody

on state charges lacks the ability and resources to cover the

medical expense or expenses.

C. The Medical Expense Liability Revolving Fund shall not pay

any expenses in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00)

per state inmate or person in custody on state charges. The State

and Education Employees Group Insurance Board shall pay valid

requests for reimbursements quarterly based upon a pro rata share of

available funds being distributed between all valid claims received

within the preceding quarter. In the event there are insufficient

funds available to pay any outstanding requests, the Board shall pay

such requests only after sufficient funds have accumulated. Nothing

in this subsection shall be construed to require payment in full of

any or all valid claims or the holding of any or all valid claims

until sufficient funds have accumulated to pay the claims in full.

D. If the state inmate or person in custody on state charges

receives any type of compensation or award from a collateral source

as a result of the ailment or injury which is paid by the Medical

Expense Liability Revolving Fund, the state shall be subrogated to

the rights of a claimant to receive or recover from a collateral

source to the extent that medical expenses were awarded.Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 6
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1010 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1010
Destruction of deceased court reporter's notes
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 418

A court reporter's notes may be destroyed by a person lawfully

in possession of the notes after a one-year period has elapsed

following the death of the court reporter.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1103.3 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1103.3
Deduction of employee contributions – Picked up
Status: in_force

contributions.

A. Employee contributions shall be deducted by the employer for

such benefits as the Board is authorized to administer as provided

for by law. Employee and employer contributions shall be remitted

monthly, or as the Board may otherwise provide, to the Executive

Director for deposit in the State Judicial Retirement Fund.

B. The employer shall pick up under the provisions of Section

414(h)(2) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and pay the

contribution which the member is required by law to make to the

System for all compensation earned after December 31, 1999.

Although the contributions so picked up are designated as member

contributions, such contributions shall be treated as contributions

being paid by the participating employer in lieu of contributions by

the member in determining tax treatment under the federal Internal

Revenue Code and such picked up contributions shall not be

includable in the gross income of the member until such amounts are

distributed or made available to the member or the beneficiary of

the member. The member, by the terms of this System, shall not have

any option to choose to receive the contributions so picked up

directly and the picked up contributions must be paid by the

participating employer to the System.

C. Member contributions which are picked up shall be treated in

the same manner and to the same extent as member contributions made

prior to the date on which member contributions were picked up by

the participating employer. Member contributions so picked up shall

be included in gross salary for purposes of determining benefits and

contributions under the System.

D. The employer shall pay the member contributions from the

same source of funds used in paying salary to the member, by

effecting an equal cash reduction in gross salary of the member.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-95.6 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-95.6
Assignment and transfer of cases
Status: in_force

The judges in a judicial district may adopt local court rules

regarding the assignment and transfer of cases between judges which

will facilitate final dispositions, and nothing herein shall prevent

a judge from transferring a case to another judge in the district

who has consented to such transfer.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-45 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-45
Costs in cases less than felonies
Status: in_force

In every State case of a less grade than a felony in which an

appeal is taken to the Criminal Court of Appeals, and the judgment

of the court below is affirmed against the defendant, all fees due

the clerk of said court in said case shall be adjudged against the

defendant and his sureties on his recognizance, for which execution

shall issue as in other cases of appeal to the Criminal Court of

Appeals. Should such case be reversed by the Criminal Court of

Appeals and a new trial be had in the court below and the defendant

convicted, then the costs aforesaid in favor of the Clerk of the

Criminal Court of Appeals shall be taxed by the court below against

the defendant, and a certified copy of said bill of costs by the

Clerk of the Criminal Court of Appeals, filed in the court below,

shall be sufficient to require said costs to be taxed and collected

as other costs against the defendant in the court below.

R.L. 1910, § 1774.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 31
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-36 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-36
Terms
Status: in_force

The Criminal Court of Appeals shall hold six terms each year, at

the Capitol of the state.

R.L. 1910, § 1764.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1101 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1101
Citation
Status: in_force

This act shall be known as "THE UNIFORM RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR

JUSTICES AND JUDGES."
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-9 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-9
Jury trial allowed, when
Status: in_force

In any cause in the Supreme Court wherein said Court is

exercising its original jurisdiction in which an issue of fact is

presented properly triable by a jury, and either party to said cause

demands a jury trial, or in cases of indirect contempts, if the

accused demands a jury trial, said Court shall not dismiss such

cause for the reason that a jury is required, but shall proceed in

the manner hereinafter prescribed.

R.L. 1910, § 1755.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1663 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1663
Council on Judicial Complaints Revolving Fund
Status: in_force

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund

for the Council on Judicial Complaints to be designated the "Council

on Judicial Complaints Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a

continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall

consist of all monies received by the Council from collections

received pursuant to Section 152 of Title 28 of the Oklahoma

Statutes. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby

appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Council for the

purpose of performing the duties imposed upon the Council by law.

Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by

the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with

the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for

approval and payment.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-78 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-78
Clerk of the Supreme Court - Appointment - Duties
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall appoint to serve at its pleasure as

Clerk for that Court a person who is licensed to practice law within

the State of Oklahoma. The Clerk shall keep the records, files and

papers committed to his care, and record the judgments, decrees and

orders of the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the

Court of Appeals, the Court of Bank Review and the Court on the

Judiciary and perform such other services and duties as may be

authorized or prescribed by the Supreme Court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-60.4 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-60.4
Opinions or decisions of Emergency Appellate Division
Status: in_force

The opinions of the emergency appellate panels of the Emergency

Appellate Division shall be written in the form prescribed by the

Court of Criminal Appeals. No opinion of the Emergency Appellate

Division shall be binding or cited as a precedent unless it has been

approved by the Court of Criminal Appeals for publication in the

official reporter. The Court of Criminal Appeals shall prescribe by

rule when an opinion or decision, if any, of the Emergency Appellate

Division shall be published in the official reporter.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1655 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1655
Administrative Director
Status: in_force

There is created the position of Administrative Director to the

Council on Judicial Complaints who shall be a state employee hired

by the Council. The Administrative Director shall receive and file

all complaints received concerning the conduct of persons occupying

positions in the judicial department of the government and subject

to the jurisdiction of the Court on the Judiciary. The

Administrative Director shall notify the members of the Council of

each complaint filed with the Director. The Administrative Director

shall attend all meetings and hearings of the Council, keep its

records, prepare reports required by statute, approve claims for

payment as directed by the chair, and perform other tasks as the

Council shall direct.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1602 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1602
Power to answer
Status: in_force

Power to Answer. The Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal

Appeals may answer a question of law certified to it by a court of

the United States, or by an appellate court of another state, or of

a federally recognized Indian tribal government, or of Canada, a

Canadian province or territory, Mexico, or a Mexican state, if the

answer may be determinative of an issue in pending litigation in the

certifying court and there is no controlling decision of the Supreme

Court or Court of Criminal Appeals, constitutional provision, or

statute of this state.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1657 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1657
Compensation - Travel expenses
Status: in_force

The members of the Council on Judicial Complaints shall receive

for their services the sum of Thirty-five Dollars ($35.00) for each

day, or fraction thereof, of attendance at its session or other

official business of the Council, and reimbursement for travel

expenses pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-104 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-104
Reimbursement for expenses of district court judges,
Status: repealed

special justices, special judges and court reporters.

(a) When any judge of the district court is ordered by the Chief

Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma or by the

Presiding Judge of the Judicial Administrative District to perform

duties or to attend or participate in a judicial conference outside

the county of his residence, such judge shall be entitled to

reimbursement for actual and necessary travel expense as provided by

the State Travel Reimbursement Act, necessarily incurred in

complying with such order or orders. He shall certify such expense

to the Chief Justice, and, upon the latter's approval thereof, the

State Treasurer shall issue his reimbursing warrant to be paid out

of any funds appropriated for such purpose.

(b) Whenever a member of the Bar who was appointed by the

Governor to sit on the Supreme Court as a special justice or on the

Court of Criminal Appeals as a special judge is required to travel

in performance of his duties as such special justice or judge beyond

the county of his residence, he shall be entitled to actual and

necessary travel expense as provided in the State Travel

Reimbursement Act, upon a claim approved by the Chief Justice and

such special justice or judge shall be reimbursed for his travel and

expenses to the same extent and in the same amount as a judge of the

district court would have been authorized to receive under the law.

(c) Whenever a judge of the district court is assigned to serve

a district court outside the district court judicial district such

judge regularly serves, he shall be entitled to reimbursement as

provided by the State Travel Reimbursement Act. Travel claims for

reimbursement shall be submitted to the Chief Justice for approval.

A court reporter assigned to serve outside the district court

judicial district he regularly serves shall be entitled to

reimbursement of expenses in a like manner.

(d) Whenever a judge of the district court or a court reporter

is assigned to serve at any place within the county designated for

holding court sessions other than the courthouse of the county in

which he is a resident judge or a resident court reporter of the

district court, he shall be entitled to mileage for travel from the

courthouse to such designated court location and back to the

courthouse, as well as his travel from one designated court location

to another designated court location within the county and back to

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 391

the courthouse. The mileage so traveled shall be paid in accordance

with the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act. Travel

claims for reimbursement shall be submitted to the Chief Justice for

approval.

A district judge who is assigned to hold court at the courthouse

of a county as well as at a place where formerly a superior court

was held within the same county shall be entitled to mileage for

necessary travel between the courthouse and the place where formerly

a superior court was located, so long as district court sessions

continue to be held at such place. When two or more persons use the

same motor vehicle for travel required in the performance of their

duties either as a judge or as a court reporter, only one of them

shall be entitled to claim mileage for such travel. No mileage

shall be paid for travel by a judge or by a court reporter between

his place of residence and the courthouse of the district court of

the county of which such judge or court reporter is a resident.

Reimbursement for mileage so traveled shall be paid in accordance

with the provisions of the State Travel Reimbursement Act upon

claims submitted to the Chief Justice for approval.

R.L. 1910, § 1784. Amended by Laws 1947, p. 228, § 1; Laws 1969, c.

319, § 1; Laws 1970, c. 202, § 1, emerg. eff. April 14, 1970; Laws

1979, c. 78, § 2, eff. July 1, 1979.

NOTE: Laws 1979, c. 47, § 9 repealed by Laws 1980, c. 290, § 6,

eff. Oct. 1, 1980.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-130 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-130
Videoconferencing authorized in district courts -
Status: in_force

Exceptions.

The use of videoconferencing technology, or the equivalent

thereof, in the district courts is hereby authorized in all stages

of civil or criminal proceedings and shall be governed by the Rules

for District Courts of Oklahoma. Such authorization includes the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 411

use of videoconferencing technology for appearances where the person

is in custody in a county different from the county in which the

case is filed.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1221 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1221
Court clerk as custodian - Duties
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise provided by the board of trustees, the court

clerk shall serve as custodian of the county law library. He shall

make and maintain in his office a complete inventory of all the

books, periodicals and other property of the law library; he shall

make such reports as are required by the board of trustees and the

Administrative Director of the Courts; and he shall service the

volumes of the county law library with current pocket parts and

supplements.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1209 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1209
Claims, orders and demands - Filing - Payment - Contracts
Status: in_force

- Limitation.

The claims, orders and demands of the trustees of any such law

library when duly made and authenticated as above provided shall be

filed with the county clerk and considered and disposed of by the

treasurer of such county out of the library fund, of which full

entry and record shall be kept as in other cases. Provided that no

contracts shall be entered into for any fiscal year in excess of the

amount received the preceding fiscal year from such fund and such

surplus as may remain on hand for such preceding year. Provided

further that in order to determine said amount or limitation during

the first year that this act is made operative in any county the

amount to be contracted for shall not exceed the fund or amount

which would have been raised under this act had it been in operation

the year preceding the time it becomes effective.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.18 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.18
Election and term of Judges
Status: in_force

Each Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals elected before or after

the passage of this act shall, unless removed for cause, serve out

the term for which he or she is elected and those Judges serving at

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 26

the date of the passage of this act, whose office comes under the

provision of this act on the date of the expiration of the term,

shall be deemed to have been appointed as provided herein and

eligible to file a declaration of candidacy to succeed themselves as

provided in this act. If retained in office, the term of each such

Judge shall be six (6) years commencing the second Monday in January

following the election.

The term and election of each Judge appointed to fill a vacancy

after the passage of this act shall be as follows: If the appointed

Judge has served or will have served twelve (12) months on or before

the next General Election following appointment, he or she may file

for election for the remainder of the term for which he or she was

appointed, or for a six-year term, whichever is applicable, within

the time and in the manner elected Judges file their candidacy under

this act. If the appointed Judge has not served or will not have

served twelve (12) months on or before the next General Election

following appointment, he or she shall continue in office until the

second General Election following appointment and may file for

election for the remainder of the term or for a six-year term,

whichever is applicable, as herein provided.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1108 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1108
Management of the Uniform Retirement System for Justices
Status: in_force

and Judges and the State Judicial Retirement Fund - Retirement

Medical Benefit Fund.

A. The Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Public Employees

Retirement System shall have the responsibility for management of

the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges and the State

Judicial Retirement Fund. All benefits payable under The Uniform

Retirement System for Justices and Judges, refunds of contributions

and overpayments, purchases or investments under the law, and all

expenses in connection with the System shall be paid from the

Oklahoma Judicial Retirement Fund. The State Judicial Retirement

Fund shall be invested and managed in the same manner as now or

hereinafter provided by law for the investment and management of

funds belonging to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

The Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges shall be an

instrumentality of the State of Oklahoma. The System shall be

vested with the powers and duties specified in this act and such

other powers as may be necessary to enable it, its officers,

employees, and agents to carry out fully and effectively the

purposes and intent of this act.

1. The Board shall distribute the corpus and income of the

System to the members and their beneficiaries in accordance with the

System’s law. At no time prior to the satisfaction of all

liabilities with respect to members and their beneficiaries shall

any part of the corpus and income be used for, or diverted to,

purposes other than the exclusive benefit of the members and their

beneficiaries.

2. The Board may not engage in a transaction prohibited by

Section 503(b) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

3. The Board shall be responsible for the policies and rules

for the general administration of the System, subject to the

provisions of this act. Except as specifically provided in this

act, the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges shall

generally be managed in the same manner as now or hereinafter

provided by law or by rule for the management of the Oklahoma Public

Employees Retirement System.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 442

4. The Board shall establish rules for the administration of

the System and for the transaction of its business consistent with

law, which rules shall be promulgated in compliance with the

Administrative Procedures Act.

5. The Board may adopt all necessary actuarial tables to be

used in the operation of the System as recommended by the actuary

and may compile such additional data as may be necessary for

required actuarial valuation calculations.

6. All decisions of the Board as to questions of fact shall be

final and conclusive on all persons except for the right of review

as provided by law and except for fraud or such gross mistake of

fact as to have effect equivalent to fraud.

7. Any person who shall knowingly make any false statement, or

who shall falsify or permit to be falsified any record necessary for

carrying out the intent of this act for the purpose of committing

fraud, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall

be punished by a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00)

or by imprisonment for not exceeding one (1) year. Should any error

in any records of the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and

Judges result in any member or beneficiary receiving more or less

than he or she would have been entitled to receive had the records

been correct, the Board shall correct such error, and, as far as

practicable, make future payments in such manner that the actuarial

equivalent of the benefit to which such member or beneficiary was

entitled shall be paid, and to this end, may recover any

overpayments.

B. The Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Public Employees

Retirement System shall compile a quarterly financial report of all

the funds of the State Judicial Retirement Fund on a fiscal year

basis. The report shall be compiled pursuant to uniform reporting

standards prescribed by the Oklahoma State Pension Commission for

all state retirement systems. The report shall include several

relevant measures of investment value, including acquisition cost

and current fair market value with appropriate summaries of total

holdings and returns. The report shall contain combined and

individual rate of returns of the investment managers by category of

investment, over periods of time. The Board of Trustees shall

include in the quarterly reports all commissions, fees or payments

for investment services performed on behalf of the Board of Trustees

with respect to the State Judicial Retirement Fund. The report

shall be distributed to the Governor, the Oklahoma State Pension

Commission, the Legislative Service Bureau, the Speaker of the House

of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. In

lieu of compiling and distributing the quarterly report, the Board

may provide the Pension Commission with direct access to the same

data from the custodian bank for the System.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 443

C. There is hereby created the Retirement Medical Benefit Fund.

The fund shall be maintained as a subaccount of the State Judicial

Retirement Fund. The Retirement Medical Benefit Fund is composed of

all assets which may be contributed to this subaccount to pay the

retirement system’s portion of the monthly retiree health insurance

premium benefit described by Section 1316.2 of Title 74 of the

Oklahoma Statutes. All such allocated assets and any earnings

thereon in the Retirement Medical Benefit Fund shall be held for the

exclusive purpose of providing retiree medical benefits. The

Retirement Medical Benefit Fund is to be administered in accordance

with the requirements of Section 401(h) of the Internal Revenue Code

of 1986, as amended from time to time. The Board of Trustees may

promulgate such rules as are necessary to implement the funding and

administration of the fund pursuant to the provisions of this

subsection.

D. After July 1 and before December 1 of each year, the Board

of Trustees of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System shall

publish widely an annual report presented in simple and easily

understood language pursuant to uniform reporting standards

prescribed by the Oklahoma State Pension Commission for all state

retirement systems. The report shall be submitted to the Governor,

the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro

Tempore of the Senate, the Oklahoma State Pension Commission and the

members of the System. The annual report shall cover the operation

of the System during the past fiscal year, including income,

disbursements, and the financial condition of the System at the end

of the fiscal year. The annual report shall also contain the

information issued in the quarterly reports required pursuant to

subsection B of this section as well as a summary of the results of

the most recent actuarial valuation to include total assets, total

liabilities, unfunded liability or overfunded status, contributions

and any other information deemed relevant by the Board of Trustees.

The annual report shall be written in such a manner as to permit a

readily understandable means for analyzing the financial condition

and performance of the System for the fiscal year.

E. The Board shall adopt a cost of living adjustment actuarial

assumption in its annual actuarial valuation report.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1403 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1403
Disqualification of judge, claim of - Mandamus
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 477

Any party to any cause pending in a court of record may in term

time or in vacation file a written application with the clerk of the

court, setting forth the grounds or facts upon which the claim is

made that the judge is disqualified, and request said judge so to

certify, after reasonable notice to the other side, same to be

presented to such judge, and upon his failure so to do within three

(3) days before said cause is set for trial, application may be made

to the proper tribunal for mandamus requiring him so to do.

R.L. 1910, § 5816. Renumbered from Title 22, § 575 by Laws 1969, c.

119, § 1, emerg. eff. April 3, 1969.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-33 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-33
Districts - Nomination, appointment and retention of
Status: in_force

Judges.

A. The state is hereby divided into five (5) Court of Criminal

Appeals Judicial Districts. From each of said districts candidates

for Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals shall be nominated and

appointed in the manner provided by Article VII-B of the Oklahoma

Constitution. All Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals may seek

retention in office pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 of

Article VII-B of the Oklahoma Constitution and each Judge shall be

voted for by the qualified voters of the state at large.

B. Beginning July 1, 2020, the boundaries of the Court of

Criminal Appeals Judicial Districts shall be the boundaries of the

five Oklahoma Congressional Districts as constituted on January 8,

2019, as follows:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 28

1. The Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial District No. 1 shall

embrace and include Congressional District No. 1;

2. The Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial District No. 2 shall

embrace and include Congressional District No. 3;

3. The Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial District No. 3 shall

embrace and include Congressional District No. 2;

4. The Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial District No. 4 shall

embrace and include Congressional District No. 5; and

5. The Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial District No. 5 shall

embrace and include Congressional District No. 4.

C. Each Judge in office on July 1, 2020, shall serve the term

for which the Judge was appointed or retained in office by retention

ballot and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified,

unless the Judge vacates the office prior to the end of his or her

term or is removed from office as provided by law. Any Judge in

office on July 1, 2020, shall be eligible for retention in the same

office for succeeding terms.

R.L. 1910, § 1761. Amended by Laws 1935, p. 28, § 1, emerg. eff.

May 2, 1935; Laws 1987, c. 185, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1987; Laws 2019,

c. 154, § 3, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-25 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-25
Promulgation of rules to promote transparency of the
Status: in_force

judicial selection process.

The Judicial Nominating Commission shall promulgate rules to

promote transparency of the selection process of nominees for

judicial office. The rules shall be prominently published on the

Judicial Nominating Commission's website.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-101 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-101
Two or more courts in county and district
Status: in_force

Two or more district judges may sit and hold court at the same

time in the same county during term time; and regular terms, or

adjourned terms of court in two or more counties in the same

judicial district shall proceed until the same are adjourned sine

die.

R.L. 1910, § 1796.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-15.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-15.1
Appeals - Additional attorney fees
Status: in_force

On any appeal to the Supreme Court, the prevailing party may

petition the court for an additional attorney fee for the cost of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 15

the appeal. In the event the Supreme Court or its designee finds

that the appeal is without merit, any additional fee may be taxed as

costs.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.6 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.6
Clerk
Status: in_force

The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall serve as Clerk of the Court

of Civil Appeals.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1104E — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1104E
Increase in retirement benefits
Status: in_force

Every person receiving retirement benefits from the System as of

June 30, 1993, shall receive on July 1, 1994, an increase in

retirement benefits to be computed as follows:

1. Multiply Seven Hundred Eighty Dollars ($780.00) by four

percent (4%);

2. Multiply the sum of paragraph 1 by the number of years of

credited service of the member;

3. Divide the sum of paragraph 2 by twelve (12) and this shall

be the increase in the monthly retirement benefit;

4. This increase shall be adjusted to reflect any options

selected by the member at the time of retirement.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.19 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.19
Judges' contribution to, or holding office in political
Status: in_force

party prohibited.

No Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals shall make, directly or

indirectly, any contribution to or hold office in a political party.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1708 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1708
Use of C.C.I. abbreviation
Status: in_force

The Board may adopt rules establishing different levels of

courtroom interpreter certifications recognized in the courts of

this state including certified courtroom interpreters and registered

courtroom interpreters. Every person enrolled as a certified

courtroom interpreter shall be entitled to use the abbreviation

C.C.I. after his or her name. Every person enrolled as a registered

courtroom interpreter shall be entitled to use the abbreviation

R.C.I. after his or her name. Courtroom interpreters holding a

provisional status do not hold an official certification, and shall

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 500

not be allowed the use of the abbreviation. Certified and

registered courtroom interpreters shall be authorized to interpret

spoken words and translate written text in all proceedings related

to the case to which he or she has been assigned.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1210 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1210
Reports - Filing
Status: in_force

The board of trustees, on August 1 of each year, shall prepare

the following reports, a copy of which shall be filed with the

Administrative Director of the Courts:

1. A financial report showing the receipts and disbursements of

money and the total amount in the fund at the end of the fiscal

year, such report to be made on a form prescribed by the State

Auditor and Inspector; and

2. An inventory report of all property, number of books,

periodicals, and other publications on hand, the number added by

purchase, gift or otherwise during the year, the number lost or

missing, and such other information as is requested by the

Administrative Director of the Courts.

The Administrative Director of the Courts may require additional

reports when deemed necessary in the discharge of the Administrative

Director of the Courts duties.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.2 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.2
Appointment of reporters - Oath
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court shall certify in writing to the Presiding

judge of each judicial administrative district, the number of full-

time and part-time court reporters that may be appointed within said

judicial administrative district, provided that each district judge

shall have a court reporter, who shall serve at the pleasure of said

district judge.

Each district judge shall appoint a court reporter, and

additional court reporters within a judicial administrative district

shall be appointed by the presiding judge of such district, to serve

at his pleasure within the district. Provided, all court reporters

within such judicial administrative district may be assigned or

transferred temporarily, according to need, by the presiding judge

of the district.

Each court reporter appointed shall, before entering upon the

duties of his office, take the official oath to faithfully discharge

the duties of his office to the best of his knowledge and ability.

The oath of office shall be filed in the office of the Director.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.19 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.19
District No. 18
Status: in_force

District No. 18. The counties of McIntosh and Pittsburg. Said

district shall have one district judge to be nominated and elected

at large.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-15 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-15
Deposit to cover costs - Indigents
Status: in_force

In each case filed in the Supreme Court and in each application

seeking reinstatement to the Oklahoma Bar Association, and at the

time of filing same, there shall be deposited with the Clerk as

costs in said cause Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) of which no rebate

of any part thereof shall be made; provided, the Supreme Court may

prescribe by rules the procedure for affording access to that Court,

without the deposit of costs, to those indigent persons who are

deemed by it entitled thereto.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-124 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-124
Objections to determinations by special judges - Validity
Status: in_force

of orders and judgments.

All objections to the determination of an action by a special

judge are waived unless made before the trial or hearing begins. No

order or judgment is void or subject to collateral attack merely

because it was rendered by a special judge.

Added by 1968, c. 350, § 3, eff. Jan. 13, 1969.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.1
Judicial districts - District judges
Status: in_force

The state is hereby divided into twenty-six (26) district court

judicial districts with the number of authorized districts and

district judges to be as provided in Sections 2 through 27 of this

act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.1A — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.1A
See the following versions:
Status: in_force

OS 20-92.1Av1 (SB 632, Laws 2025, c. 316, 2)

OS 20-92.1Av2 (HB 2770, Laws 2025, c. 458, § 4)
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.13 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.13
District court shorthand reporters - Status as
Status: in_force

certified shorthand reporters.

Full-time licensed shorthand reporters employed by the district

court on the effective date of this act, who were so employed by the

district court on July 1, 1976, are hereby granted the status of

certified shorthand reporters in the State of Oklahoma.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1310.3 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1310.3
Supreme Court Administrative Revolving Fund
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving

fund for the Supreme Court to be designated as the "Supreme Court

Administrative Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing

fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of

all monies transferred by the Supreme Court in any given fiscal year

or years. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby

appropriated and shall be budgeted and expended by the Supreme Court

as necessary to perform the duties imposed upon the Supreme Court,

Court of Civil Appeals and district courts by law. Expenditures

from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State

Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the

Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for

approval and payment.

B. Until June 30, 2021, the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services shall, at the request of the Administrative Director of the

Courts, transfer any monies from the Supreme Court Administrative

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 463

Revolving Fund to the Interagency Reimbursement Fund as necessary to

perform the duties imposed upon the Supreme Court, Court of Civil

Appeals and district courts by law.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1654 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1654
Tenure
Status: in_force

Of the members first appointed to the Council on Judicial

Complaints, one shall serve for three (3) years and until a

successor shall be appointed and qualified; one shall serve for four

(4) years and until a successor shall be appointed and qualified;

and one shall serve for five (5) years and until a successor shall

be appointed and qualified. The respective terms of the first

members shall be determined by lot at the first meeting of the

Council, and the results thereof shall be certified to the Secretary

of State and to the appointing authority for each individual member.

Thereafter, each appointee shall serve for a term of five (5) years

and until a successor is selected and qualified. No person shall be

eligible to serve more than two terms on the Council.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.21 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.21
District No. 20
Status: in_force

District No. 20. The counties of Love, Carter, Murray, Johnston

and Marshall. Said district to have two (2) district judges to be

nominated and elected as follows: One candidate to be nominated and

elected at large and a legal resident of Carter County, and one

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 383

candidate to be nominated and elected at large and a legal resident

of Love, Murray, Johnston or Marshall County.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1104 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1104
Retirement compensation
Status: in_force

Each justice or judge who is a member of The Uniform Retirement

System for Justices and Judges upon retirement after June 30, 2004,

shall be entitled to receive as retirement compensation, until

changed by the Legislature, an annual amount, each monthly payment

of which shall be in an amount equal to four percent (4%) of the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 436

average monthly salary received by him or her as a justice or judge

based on the highest three (3) years of active service multiplied by

the number of total years of service and reduced according to the

elected survivor option, if any. The amounts of compensation

reported to the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System for the

Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges, by the Office of

Management and Enterprise Services prior to June 30, 2004, may be

conclusively presumed as valid regarding the source of the

compensation reported as salary for purposes of the accuracy of the

employees' contributions and the computation of salary for the

calculation of benefits. This presumption shall not include any

computation error made by the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services or the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System on

behalf of the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges.

Provided, however, that no justice or judge retiring after June 30,

2004, may receive a monthly retirement benefit in excess of one

hundred percent (100%) of the average monthly salary based on the

highest three (3) years of active service and found applicable to

such justice or judge at the time of retirement. Retirement

compensation shall be payable monthly out of the State Judicial

Retirement Fund by warrants prepared by the Executive Director of

the Public Employees Retirement System and issued by the State

Treasurer.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1111 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1111
Certain benefits and rights of retired justices and
Status: in_force

judges exempt from process - Exception of qualified domestic orders.

A. Except as otherwise provided by this section, any annuity,

benefit, fund, property or right created by or accruing to any

person under any provision of The Uniform Retirement System for

Justices and Judges is hereby made and declared exempt from and not

subject to execution, garnishment, or attachment or any other

process or claim whatsoever, and shall be unassignable except as

specifically provided by said act. Notwithstanding the foregoing,

the Board of Trustees may offset any benefits of a member or

beneficiary to pay a judgment or settlement against a member or

beneficiary for a crime involving the System, for a fraud or breach

of the member’s fiduciary duty to the System, or for funds or monies

incorrectly paid to a member or a beneficiary, provided such offset

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 446

is in accordance with the requirements of Section 401(a)(13) of the

Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The offset applies to any benefits

which may otherwise be payable to a member or beneficiary from any

plan or fund which is administered by the Board of Trustees of the

Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System.

B. 1. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not

apply to a qualified domestic order as provided pursuant to this

subsection.

2. The term “qualified domestic order” means an order issued by

a district court of this state pursuant to the domestic relation

laws of the State of Oklahoma which relates to the provision of

marital property rights to a spouse or former spouse of a member or

provision of support for a minor child or children and which creates

or recognizes the existence of the right of an alternate payee, or

assigns to an alternate payee the right, to receive a portion of the

benefits payable with respect to a member of the System.

3. For purposes of the payment of marital property, to qualify

as an alternate payee, a spouse or former spouse must have been

married to the related member for a period of not less than thirty

(30) continuous months immediately preceding the commencement of the

proceedings from which the qualified domestic order issues.

4. A qualified domestic order is valid and binding on The

Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges and the related

member only if it meets the requirements of this subsection.

5. A qualified domestic order shall clearly specify:

a. the name and last-known mailing address (if any) of

the member and the name and mailing address of the

alternate payee covered by the order,

b. the amount or percentage of the member’s benefits to

be paid by The Uniform Retirement System for Justices

and Judges to the alternate payee,

c. the number of payments or period to which such order

applies,

d. the characterization of the benefit as to marital

property rights or child support, and

e. each plan to which such order applies.

6. A qualified domestic order meets the requirements of this

subsection only if such order:

a. does not require the System to provide any type or

form of benefit, or any option not otherwise provided

under state law as relates to The Uniform Retirement

System for Justices and Judges,

b. does not require The Uniform Retirement System for

Justices and Judges to provide increased benefits, and

c. does not require the payment of benefits to an

alternate payee which are required to be paid to

another alternate payee pursuant to another order

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 447

previously determined to be a qualified domestic order

or an order recognized by The Uniform Retirement

System for Justices and Judges as a valid order prior

to the effective date of this act.

7. A qualified domestic order shall not require payment of

benefits to an alternate payee prior to the actual retirement date

or withdrawal of the related member and shall not attach to or

require the payment of any amount of benefits related to a deferred

compensation plan or program authorized by Section 1701 et seq. of

Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

8. The obligation of The Uniform Retirement System for Justices

and Judges to pay an alternate payee pursuant to a qualified

domestic order shall cease upon the death of the related member.

9. This subsection shall not be subject to the provisions of

the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), 29

U.S.C.A. Section 1001, et seq., as amended from time to time, or

rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and court cases

interpreting said act.

10. The Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Public Employees

Retirement System shall promulgate such rules as are necessary to

implement the provisions of this subsection.

11. An alternate payee who has acquired beneficiary rights

pursuant to a valid qualified domestic order must fully comply with

all provisions of the rules promulgated by the Board of Trustees of

the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System pursuant to this

subsection in order to continue receiving his or her benefit.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-91.5 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-91.5
Transfer of records of abolished courts - Liens
Status: in_force

The records of courts that are abolished by Article VII of the

Constitution of Oklahoma shall be transferred to the clerk of the

district court on January 13, 1969. Any judgment that was not on

said date a lien on real estate, shall not become a lien on real

estate as a result of said transfer, provided, however, that within

one (1) year after the date of said transfer, upon the payment to

the clerk of the district court of the fee for docketing a judgment

and any unpaid fees in the action, such a judgment may be docketed

in the district court judgment docket and become a lien upon the

real estate of the debtor to the same extent as a judgment of the

district court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.5 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.5
Admissibility of transcripts as evidence
Status: in_force

Any transcript of notes, duly certified as correct by the

reporter who took the evidence, and filed with the clerk of the

court in which the cause was tried, shall be admissible as evidence

in all cases, of like force and effect, as testimony taken in the

cause by deposition, and subject to the same objection, a transcript

of said notes may be incorporated into any appellate record. If any

reporter ceases to be the official reporter of the court, and

thereafter makes a transcript of the notes taken by him while acting

as official reporter, he shall swear to the transcript as true and

correct and when so verified, the transcript shall have the same

force and effect as if certified while he was an official reporter.

A transcript of the notes of any reporter of the State Industrial

Court, when certified or verified by such reporter who took the

evidence in any hearing before such Industrial Court or any official

thereof in any proceedings pending before such court, shall have the

same force and effect as a transcript by a court reporter above

mentioned, when such transcript is offered as a deposition in

evidence in any subsequent trial or proceedings before any court of

record wherein the parties are the same as the parties who took part

in the proceedings before the State Industrial Court; that is, the

same parties as the claimant and respondent before the Industrial

Court; provided that, if such party, who is claimant before the

Industrial Court, is deceased, then the provisions hereof shall

apply if the subsequent action is by the personal representative of

such deceased party in an action for wrongful death.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1404.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1404.1
Candidate for judicial office - Standards of conduct -
Status: in_force

Removal - Disqualification.

A person who is not a judicial officer but is a candidate for a

judicial office shall comply with the standards enumerated below,

and any violation of these standards shall constitute grounds for

the removal by the Court on the Judiciary of a person who is not a

judicial officer elected to a judicial office with or without

disqualification to hold a judicial office in the future.

1. Participation, while a candidate for judicial office, in any

partisan political activity. The term "partisan political activity"

as used in this paragraph shall not include attendance by a

candidate for a judicial office at a political gathering, upon

payment of a nominal admission fee, for the sole purpose of

campaigning in his own behalf for a judicial office.

2. Participation, while a candidate for a judicial office, in

any election campaign other than that for his own election to a

judicial office.

3. While a candidate for a judicial office, making publicly

known in his campaign material or speeches, or knowingly permitting

others to make publicly known, either directly or by implication,

his political party affiliation.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.2A — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.2A
Salaries
Status: in_force

A. For fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, except

as otherwise provided by the Board on Judicial Compensation after

the effective date of this act, the following judicial officers

shall receive compensation for their services, payable monthly as

follows:

1. The Presiding Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals shall

receive an annual salary of One Hundred Seventy-nine Thousand

Ninety-nine Dollars ($179,099.00); and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 21

2. A Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals shall receive an

annual salary of One Hundred Seventy-five Thousand Eight Hundred

Forty-four Dollars ($175,844.00).

B. Any increase in salary provided for in subsection A of this

section must be paid from existing available funds.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1310.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1310.1
Supreme Court Revolving Fund - Creation
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 461

A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving

fund for the Supreme Court, to be designated the "Supreme Court

Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject

to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of monies appropriated

by the Legislature for the purposes specified in this section and

fees collected pursuant to Sections 72, 73.5, 1506 and 1707 of this

title and paragraph 2 of subsection E of Section 152 of Title 28 of

the Oklahoma Statutes. All monies accruing to the credit of the

fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the

Supreme Court for refunds to bondsmen and for the purpose of paying

expenses authorized by Section 1809 of Title 12 of the Oklahoma

Statutes, Sections 103.1, 1311, 1507, 1660 and 1707 of this title,

Sections 562 and 1355.13A of Title 22 and paragraph 2 of subsection

E of Section 152 of Title 28 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and to make

any other expenditures determined by the Supreme Court to be

necessary due to unforeseen emergencies impacting the operation of

state courts, as well as recurring and nonrecurring expenditures to

perform the duties imposed upon the Supreme Court or Court of Civil

Appeals by law. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon

warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as

prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and

Enterprise Services for approval and payment.

B. Until June 30, 2021, the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services shall, at the request of the Administrative Director of the

Courts, transfer any monies from the Supreme Court Revolving Fund to

the Supreme Court Administrative Revolving Fund or the Interagency

Reimbursement Fund as necessary to perform the duties imposed upon

the Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals and district courts by

law.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-101.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-101.1
Orders and other acts outside county in which cause
Status: in_force

pending.

A judge of the district court, when sitting in any county of the

district, may make any order of a nature not requiring notice and

hearing, in any cause pending in any county of the district; and he

also may sign the journal entry of any order, judgment or decree

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 389

theretofore made in any other county of the district if such journal

entry be approved as to form by all parties affected thereby, or by

their attorneys. In the event of any such action being taken

outside the county in which the cause is pending, the Judge shall

make a minute of his action and forthwith transmit said minute to

the court clerk of the county in which the action is pending.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1005 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1005
Disposal or destruction of court records - Storage on
Status: in_force

microfilm, optical disc or other medium.

A. Unless there is an objection by the presiding administrative

judge or the chief judge of the district court, the court clerk is

authorized to dispose of the judicial records enumerated in this

subsection. Nothing shall prohibit the presiding administrative

judge or the chief judge of the district court from entering an

order for the destruction of records prior to the time limits

enumerated in this subsection for good cause shown. In the record

destruction process, any officer may rely upon computerized lists or

other electronic data provided by the Administrative Office of the

Courts or its OCIS/OSCN system. For purposes of determining the

time periods in this chapter, the officer may disregard entries or

actions taken in the subject cases, such as accounting, internal

electronic data or other nonjudicial entries. The judicial records

subject to disposal or destruction shall be:

1. Domestic relations cases. This shall include, but not be

limited to, cases filed concerning divorce, separate maintenance,

annulment, reciprocal actions for enforcement of support, child

custody, domestic abuse, foreign judgments in domestic relations

cases, income assignments relating to an order of support,

paternity, appeal on administrative order relating to support or

paternity, habeas corpus relating to children, and other domestic-

related filings:

a. domestic relations cases that have been dismissed and

no pleading has been filed or any action taken in the

case for more than one (1) year,

b. all domestic relations cases in which a minor child is

involved after a twenty-year period has elapsed since

any pleading has been filed or any action taken in the

case, and

c. all domestic relations cases in which no minor child

is involved after a ten-year period has elapsed since

any pleading has been filed or any action taken in the

case;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 414

2. Probate cases. This shall include, but not be limited to,

cases filed concerning the probating of estates, guardianships,

conservatorships, mental health, protective services to the elderly,

powers of attorney, and trusts:

a. probate cases that have been dismissed and no pleading

has been filed or any action taken in the case for

more than one (1) year, and

b. all probate cases after a twenty-year period has

elapsed since any pleading has been filed or any

action taken in the case;

3. Actions brought for money judgment only in which a dismissal

or release and satisfaction has been filed for more than one (1)

year;

4. Civil records of cases:

a. civil cases that have been dismissed and no pleading

has been filed or any action taken in the case for

more than one (1) year, and

b. all other civil cases after a ten-year period has

elapsed since any pleading has been filed or any

action taken in the case;

5. Felony criminal records of unadjudicated cases and

adjudicated cases:

a. felony criminal cases that have been dismissed and no

pleading or any action taken in the case for more than

one (1) year,

b. felony criminal records of adjudicated cases after a

ten-year period has elapsed since any pleading has

been filed or any action taken in the case, and

c. felony criminal records of adjudicated cases, where

the sentence imposed was death, life without parole,

or life, after a fifty-year period has elapsed since

any pleading has been filed or any action taken in the

case;

6. Misdemeanor records of unadjudicated cases and adjudicated

cases:

a. misdemeanor cases that have been dismissed and no

pleading or any action taken in the case for more than

one (1) year, and

b. misdemeanor records of adjudicated cases after a five-

year period has elapsed since any pleading has been

filed or any action taken in the case;

7. Juvenile cases. This shall include, but not be limited to,

cases filed concerning delinquents, children in need of supervision,

deprived children, children in need of treatment, children in need

of shelter, and other related juvenile filings:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 415

a. juvenile cases that have been dismissed and no

pleading has been filed or any action taken in the

case for more than one (1) year, and

b. all juvenile cases after a ten-year period has elapsed

since any pleading has been filed or any action taken

in the case; and

8. Protective orders:

a. protective order cases that have been dismissed and no

pleading has been filed or any action taken in the

case for more than one (1) year, and

b. protective order cases after a ten-year period has

elapsed since the protective order was issued.

B. The judicial records and the appearance docket books or

sheets on which they are entered, prior to their disposal or

destruction, shall be stored on at least two microfilm records,

optical discs or other appropriate medium and shall be available for

public use in the court clerk's office. The cost of the storage

medium and equipment for viewing and copying shall be paid out of

the court fund, upon approval by the Chief Justice of the Supreme

Court or the Court Clerk's Records Management and Preservation Fund

created pursuant to Section 31.3 of Title 28 of the Oklahoma

Statutes. Records reproduced from microfilm, optical disc, and

other media produced pursuant to the provisions of this section

shall be received in evidence and have the same legal efficacy as

the original.

C. Traffic cases. The court clerk of each district court shall

destroy the judicial records of traffic cases and the appearance

docket books or sheets on which they are entered after a five-year

period has elapsed since any pleading has been filed or any action

taken in the case, except in the case of a conviction for driving

under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any narcotic drug,

which records shall be destroyed after a ten-year period has elapsed

since any pleading has been filed or any action taken in the case.

D. Records of criminal property cases brought pursuant to

Section 1321 et seq. of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall be

subject to disposal or destruction after a two-year period has

elapsed since any pleading has been filed or any action taken in the

case.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-16.6 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-16.6
Court on the Judiciary members - Expenses - Prosecutors -
Status: in_force

Compensation - Witness fees and expenses.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 16

A. A member of the Court on the Judiciary shall certify his

actual and necessary travel expenses to the Administrative Director

of the Courts, and, upon the latter's approval thereof reimbursement

shall be as provided by the State Travel Reimbursement Act, the

State Treasurer shall issue a warrant, to be paid out of any funds

appropriated for such purpose. Prosecutors before the Court on the

Judiciary shall certify to the Administrative Director of the Courts

the amount that has been allowed as compensation by the Court, and

upon the latter's approval thereof, the State Treasurer shall issue

a warrant, to be paid out of any funds appropriated for such

purpose. Any claim certified for payment by the trial division of

the Court on the Judiciary or by any of its members, when

disapproved by the Administrative Director of the Courts, may be

reviewed by the appellate division of that Court under such rules of

procedure as that division shall prescribe. The appellate division

shall have exclusive power over claims that are disapproved by the

Administrative Director of the Courts. Its decision in the matter

shall be final.

B. 1. Any employee of the state or any political subdivision

thereof who is subpoenaed as a witness to testify before the Court

on the Judiciary on any matter related to their employment shall

receive reimbursement for expenses in the same manner and to the

same extent as is prescribed in Section 84.1 of Title 28 of the

Oklahoma Statutes.

2. Any other person subpoenaed as a witness to testify before

the Court on the Judiciary shall receive the fees prescribed in

Section 81 of Title 28 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

3. All fees and reimbursement for expenses provided for in this

subsection shall be payable from funds appropriated to the State

Supreme Court for the use of the Court on the Judiciary, subject to

the approval of the Administrative Director of the Courts.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1312 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1312
Audit of court fund and law library fund
Status: in_force

The court fund of the district court as well as the law library

fund in every county of this state shall be audited at least once

every two (2) fiscal years by the State Auditor and Inspector or by

his duly appointed deputy or deputies and all of the books, records

and accounts thereof shall be thoroughly inspected.

A copy of the audit report for each local court fund and each

law library fund shall be filed by the State Auditor and Inspector

with the following officers not later than the first day of July

commencing July 1, 1972: Administrative Director of the Courts,

Attorney General, Chairmen of the Senate and House Judiciary

Committees and Director of Finance.

The State Auditor and Inspector shall prescribe the proper forms

for both the audit and the financial report required to be filed by

the board of law library trustees.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.12 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.12
Status of certain court reporters
Status: in_force

Full-time acting official court reporters employed by the

district court on the effective date of this act who were so

employed on October 6, 1969, are hereby granted the status of

licensed shorthand reporter for the State of Oklahoma.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1103.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1103.1
Additional contributions - Minimum funded ratio -
Status: in_force

Reporting.

A. On and after January 1, 2001, the Administrative Director of

the Courts, in addition to the members' contributions, shall

transfer monthly amounts for deposit in the State Judicial

Retirement Fund as set out in Section 1309 of this title equal to

two percent (2.0%) of the monthly total actual paid gross salaries

of the members of the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and

Judges. Effective July 1, 2005, such amounts transferred by the

Administrative Director of the Courts shall be as follows:

Fiscal Year Ending Percentage of Contribution

June 30, 2006 3.0%

June 30, 2007 4.0%

June 30, 2008 5.5%

June 30, 2009 7.0%

June 30, 2010 8.5%

June 30, 2011 10.0%

June 30, 2012 11.5%

June 30, 2013 13.0%

June 30, 2014 14.5%

June 30, 2015 16.0%

June 30, 2016 17.5%

June 30, 2017 19.0%

June 30, 2018 20.5%

June 30, 2019 and thereafter 22.0%

B. The State Judicial Retirement Fund should have a funded

ratio at or near ninety percent (90%) or be receiving sufficient

contributions to amortize any unfunded liability of the fund

according to the amortization schedule adopted by the Board of

Trustees of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System. The

Board of Trustees shall provide a copy of the annual actuarial

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 430

report to the Governor, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the

Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro

Tempore of the Senate. In addition to this report, the Board shall

provide a letter setting forth the amount of the actuarially

required contributions for the System and any other recommendations

that the Board may deem necessary.

C. The Administrative Director of the Courts shall remit to the

System all statutorily required retirement contributions due on a

monthly basis. All required court and employee contributions and

supporting documentation are due and must be received by the System

on or before the fifteenth day of the month following the month for

which the contributions are due. Court and employee contributions

remitted to the System after thirty (30) days from the above due

date shall be subject to a monthly late charge of one and one-half

percent (1.5%) of the unpaid balance to be paid by the

Administrative Director of the Courts to the System.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-125 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-125
Office of secretary-bailiff - Creation - Appointment -
Status: in_force

Compensation and salary - Number - Retirement and other benefits –

CLEET-certified.

A. In all counties of the state there is created the office of

secretary-bailiff for district judges and associate district judges,

and a secretary-bailiff for business court judges, with each such

secretary-bailiff to be appointed by order of the district judge,

associate district judge, or business court judge to serve at the

will of the appointing judge. The Chief Justice of the Supreme

Court shall approve by administrative directive the number and

assignments of secretary-bailiffs in all counties of the state.

Each secretary-bailiff shall be paid a salary pursuant to the salary

schedule established by the annual appropriation for the district

courts and in accordance with the job description for the position

to which appointed. For fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year

thereafter, each secretary-bailiff shall receive an annual salary of

Forty-two Thousand Dollars ($42,000.00). In each business court

division, the business court judge may appoint a law clerk, who

shall be an attorney licensed or eligible to become licensed to

practice law in this state, to serve at the will of the appointing

judge with an annual salary to be set by the Chief Justice. In

every county of the state each district judge and each associate

district judge, including business court judges in counties with a

business court division, may by order appoint additional necessary

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 406

court personnel subject to the approval of the Chief Justice. A

part-time bailiff shall be paid out of the court fund of the county

where appointed at the rate set by administrative directive for each

hour that such person actually attends the court and performs

services, or a pro rata fraction thereof for less than an hour of

service. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each district

judge and associate district judge may contract with the sheriff of

the county to allow a deputy sheriff to provide bailiff service to

the court.

B. With the approval of the presiding judge, a special judge

may appoint a secretary-bailiff or other personnel in accordance

with the administrative order of the Chief Justice.

C. No judge shall engage more than one full-time secretary-

bailiff at any given time except only during the progress of a jury

trial, when a part-time bailiff may be engaged subject to the

approval of the Chief Justice. In the latter event, no more than

one additional bailiff shall be engaged to take charge of the jury.

The costs of meals and lodging of bailiffs ordered to keep a jury

together during the process of a trial or after the jury retires for

deliberation shall be lawfully paid from the court fund.

D. A district judge who sits regularly in more than one county

may employ only one full-time secretary-bailiff in the judicial

district of the judge, and in any other county of the district the

judge may engage a bailiff only on a part-time basis when such judge

sits in the county as a judge pursuant to the procedures set forth

by the Chief Justice in the administrative directive. The cost of

the operation of the office of a district judge of a multi-county

judicial district, including the purchase of equipment and supplies,

may be apportioned among the counties of that judicial district, or

appropriate division of that district, based upon the percentage of

revenue collected by the courts of the district.

E. The Administrative Director of the Courts shall develop and

promulgate job descriptions, salary schedules and time-keeping forms

for part-time bailiff personnel. The Chief Justice of the Supreme

Court, through the Office of the Administrative Director of the

Courts, shall promulgate rules for the compensation for overtime for

all secretary-bailiff and part-time bailiff personnel employed.

F. Persons employed by a county that does not meet the

requirements of Section 951 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma Statutes,

and who serve as full-time secretary-bailiffs or full-time bailiffs

shall be eligible to participate in the state retirement system and

state insurance programs and any other benefits as are provided to

state employees in the unclassified service. All part-time bailiff

personnel shall be compensated by the local court fund.

G. On October 1, 1989, the position of full-time bailiff shall

be redesignated as the position of secretary-bailiff in accordance

with the job descriptions, salary schedules, and procedures approved

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 407

by the Chief Justice. Additional secretary-bailiff positions shall

be created as funding and employee positions are available.

Counties shall be allowed to provide additional support personnel to

the judges sitting in such counties to the extent that funding is

available.

H. Any secretary-bailiff who is certified by the Council on Law

Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) as a basic peace officer

shall have and exercise all the powers and authority of a peace

officer. The Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts

shall promulgate rules which prescribe the duties for all CLEET-

certified secretary-bailiffs. The provisions of this subsection

will not entitle a CLEET-certified secretary-bailiff to participate

in the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.8 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.8
Court reporters in county retirement system - Option to
Status: in_force

join Public Employees Retirement System - Credits.

Any court reporter who, on January 12, 1969, was a member of a

county retirement system not participating in the Oklahoma Public

Employees Retirement System shall have the option to continue as a

member of said county retirement system or to become a member of the

Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System and shall be entitled to

credit for all the years of prior service as a court reporter, but

such court reporter shall not be entitled to participate in the

Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1506 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1506
Fees
Status: in_force

The State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters

shall annually set and publish a fee schedule with approval of the

Supreme Court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1609 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1609
Renumbered as § 1601.2 of this title by Laws 1997, c. 61,
Status: in_force

§ 14, eff. Nov. 1, 1997.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1512 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1512
Videotape transcripts
Status: in_force

The Supreme Court is authorized to establish a pilot project for

use of videotape equipment in courtrooms for production of videotape

records for transcripts where court reporters are not available, if

the Supreme Court has funds available that can be used for this

purpose. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall promulgate

rules for the use of video equipment in courtrooms. Rules for use

of video equipment in courtrooms must have the approval of the

Supreme Court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.2 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.2
Number of divisions - Number of judges - Assignment and
Status: in_force

transfer.

The Court of Civil Appeals shall, upon the members being elected

and qualified, consist of four permanent divisions. Two divisions

shall sit in Tulsa County and two divisions shall sit in Oklahoma

County. Each division shall consist of three Judges, at least two

of whom shall concur in any decision and each division shall select

a presiding Judge who shall act in that capacity without additional

compensation. The assignment of Judges to the divisions shall be

effected by the Supreme Court. Judges may be transferred from one

division to another.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-14 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-14
Actions involving removal or location of state capital or
Status: in_force

educational or charitable institutions - Jurisdiction, powers and

procedure.

Exclusive original jurisdiction is hereby conferred upon the

Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, to hear and determine any

action that may be brought involving the legality of the removal or

location, or an attempt to remove or locate, the state capital or

any normal school or other educational or charitable institution of

the state, and in any such action the Supreme Court shall have the

same power and jurisdiction, including the power to appoint a

referee, which it now has under the laws of this state in contests

over the location of county seats, and all such actions shall be

governed by the same procedure which now prevails in county seat

contests.

Provided that any resident taxpayer of this state, shall have a

right to a hearing before the Supreme Court upon the execution of a

good and sufficient bond for cost, to be approved by the Clerk of

the Court. And, provided further that any and all actions brought

under the provisions of this act shall be commenced within ten (10)

days after the passage of any act for the removal or location of the

state capital or any normal school or other educational or

charitable institution of the state.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-16.7 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-16.7
Secretary to presiding judge of judicial administrative
Status: in_force

district.

The Supreme Court may authorize the presiding judge of each

judicial administrative district to employ a full-time secretary.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1606 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1606
Costs of certification
Status: in_force

Costs of Certification. Fees and costs shall be the same as in

civil appeals docketed before the Supreme Court and shall be equally

divided between the parties unless otherwise ordered by the

certifying court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-2 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-2
Supreme court judicial districts
Status: in_force

Beginning July 1, 2020:

1. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 1 shall embrace and

include Congressional District No. 2 as constituted on January 8,

2019;

2. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 2 shall be an at-large

district;

3. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 3 shall embrace and

include Congressional District No. 5 as constituted on January 8,

2019;

4. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 4 shall embrace and

include Congressional District No. 3 as constituted on January 8,

2019;

5. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 5 shall embrace and

include Congressional District No. 4 as constituted on January 8,

2019;

6. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 6 shall embrace and

include Congressional District No. 1 as constituted on January 8,

2019;

7. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 7 shall be an at-large

district;

8. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 8 shall be an at-large

district; and

9. Supreme Court Judicial District No. 9 shall be an at-large

district.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1104G — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1104G
Increase in benefits - Amount
Status: in_force

Any person receiving benefits from the Uniform Retirement System

for Justices and Judges as of June 30, 2001, who continues to

receive benefits on or after July 1, 2002, shall receive a five

percent (5%) increase in said benefits on July 1, 2002.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1507 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1507
Deposit of fees - Withdrawals
Status: in_force

All fees authorized to be charged shall be paid to the Clerk of

the Supreme Court who shall deposit them in the Supreme Court

Revolving Fund. The Chief Justice shall be authorized to draw

against the Supreme Court Revolving Fund such amounts as are

lawfully claimed by the Board for its necessary supplies and

expenses. When performing essential duties each Board member shall

be entitled to his or her actual expenses and shall receive, in

addition thereto, the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for each full

day of service or a fraction thereof for less than a day's service.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-91.3 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-91.3
Associate district judges and special judges
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise indicated, the term district judges in the

Oklahoma Statutes includes associate district judges and special

judges.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-6 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-6
Effect of partial invalidity
Status: in_force

The invalidity of any section, provision, clause or portion of

this act shall not be construed to invalidate the remaining portion

thereof.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1505 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1505
Licenses from other states – National certification
Status: in_force

A person holding a license from another state which is deemed by

the State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters to be

equivalent to that of an Oklahoma certified shorthand reporter, or

holding current national certification as a shorthand reporter, or

holding both an equivalent license from another state and national

certification, may be enrolled without examination as an Oklahoma

certified shorthand reporter upon satisfying the Board that the

credentials of the applicant are in proper order.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 483
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-122 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-122
Number of special judges in each judicial administrative
Status: in_force

district – Appointments - Vacancies.

The number of special judges that may be appointed in each

judicial administrative district shall be determined as follows:

1. A special judge shall be appointed on the basis of one

special judge for each county within the administrative district

with a population of at least twenty-four thousand (24,000), as

determined by the 1960 Federal Decennial Census. An additional

special judge shall be appointed for each additional fifty thousand

(50,000) in population in a county within the administrative

district, as determined by the 1960 Federal Decennial Census. Such

appointment may be made from any county in the administrative

district. Such appointments shall be made by the district judges in

their respective judicial administrative districts. Any judge of a

special sessions court shall be one of the special judges for the

balance of his or her term and shall be within the number prescribed

for such district.

2. In addition to the special judges that may be appointed

pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 of this section, there

shall be:

a. one (1) special judge appointed in the Northwest-

Panhandle Judicial Administrative District comprised

of District Court Judicial Districts Numbers One (1),

Two (2) and Four (4), to serve in Custer County,

b. beginning July 1, 2025, three (3) special judges

appointed in the Oklahoma-Canadian Counties Judicial

Administrative District comprised of District Court

Judicial District Number Seven (7),

c. beginning July 1, 2024, five (5) special judges

appointed in the Tulsa-Pawnee Counties Judicial

Administrative District comprised of District Court

Judicial District Number Fourteen (14),

d. beginning January 11, 1999, one (1) special judge

appointed in the Northeastern Judicial Administrative

District comprised of District Court Judicial

Districts Numbers Ten (10), Eleven (11), Twelve (12)

and Thirteen (13), to serve in Rogers County,

e. one (1) special judge appointed in the North-Central

Judicial Administrative District comprised of District

Court Judicial District Numbers Eight (8), Nine (9)

and Twenty-three (23), to serve in Lincoln and

Pottawatomie Counties,

f. beginning January 1, 2006, one (1) special judge

appointed in the East-Central Judicial Administrative

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 403

District comprised of District Court Judicial District

Numbers Fifteen (15), Eighteen (18) and Twenty-four

(24), to serve in Pittsburg and McIntosh Counties,

g. beginning January 1, 2006, one (1) special judge

appointed in the Northeastern Judicial Administrative

District comprised of District Court Judicial District

Numbers Ten (10), Eleven (11), Twelve (12) and

Thirteen (13), to serve in Washington County, and

h. beginning January 1, 2007, one (1) special judge

appointed in the Southeastern Judicial Administrative

District comprised of District Court Judicial District

Numbers Sixteen (16), Seventeen (17), Nineteen (19),

and Twenty-five (25), to serve in Le Flore County.

3. If a vacancy occurs in the office of associate district

judge, or if an associate district judge becomes unable to perform

the duties of his or her office, as determined by the presiding

judge of the judicial administrative district, a special judge may

be appointed within the judicial administrative district to hold

office for the duration of such vacancy or incapacity. After the

vacancy is filled, or after the associate district judge becomes

able to perform the duties of his or her office, the special judge

shall have the power to act in regard to any case which he or she

has already tried, but the presiding judge of the judicial

administrative district may transfer such a case to any other judge

in the judicial administrative district.

4. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may authorize the

appointment of such additional special judges as may be necessary

for the proper administration of justice. Such additional special

judges shall be appointed after application by a majority of the

district judges of a judicial administrative district, stating the

reason why an additional special judge is needed. Such additional

judges need not be based upon population figures.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1661 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1661
Disqualification of council member
Status: in_force

If, in any matter pending before the Council, a council member

is disqualified to act for a reason that would disqualify a judicial

officer from sitting in a matter, the Council may proceed to

consider the matter, if a quorum is present, or may certify to the

officer having the appointment of that member, who shall thereupon

immediately appoint a special member to sit in that case, only. If

the appointing officer makes no appointment within ten (10) days

after the mailing of the certification of disqualification to the

appointing officer, the Council shall appoint a special member.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 493
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1702 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1702
Duties and powers of Board
Status: in_force

A. The State Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom

Interpreters shall:

1. Determine and establish levels of recognized courtroom

interpreter credentials in this state including but not limited to

certified and registered courtroom interpreters, to meet the needs

of a variety of court proceedings, as the Board deems necessary and

appropriate;

2. Conduct preliminary investigations to determine the

qualifications of applicants seeking to attain an Oklahoma courtroom

interpreter credential;

3. Conduct at least once a year, at a place and time to be

published by reasonable notice as directed by the Supreme Court, the

training program and examinations required of those persons who seek

to attain an Oklahoma courtroom interpreter credential, or contract

for such training program and examinations. The Board shall also

include an examination of interpreter ethics as a condition of

attaining an Oklahoma courtroom interpreter credential;

4. Recommend to the Supreme Court for official enrollment as

certified or registered courtroom interpreter or other recognized

levels of interpreter credentials those persons who, on their

examinations, have established the requisite proficiency as set

forth in the Board's rules and Section 1703 of this title;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 495

5. Conduct proceedings, on reasonable notice, the object of

which are to recommend to the Supreme Court the suspension,

cancellation, revocation, or reinstatement of the enrollment of a

certified courtroom interpreter on the following grounds:

a. a final conviction of a criminal offense involving

moral turpitude,

b. misrepresentation in obtaining an Oklahoma courtroom

interpreter credential,

c. any violation of or noncompliance with any rule or

directive of the Supreme Court including but not

limited to the Code of Professional Responsibility for

Interpreters in the Oklahoma Courts,

d. fraud, gross incompetence, or gross or habitual

neglect of duty,

e. misrepresentation of credential level or status while

engaging in the practice of courtroom interpreting in

a court of this state or accepting payment from the

court at an hourly rate greater than the rate

authorized for the level of credential held by the

interpreter,

f. engaging in the practice of courtroom interpreting or

translating in a court of this state while

certification is suspended,

g. failure to renew credential pursuant to rules of the

Board, or

h. failure to annually complete at least eight (8) hours

of continuing education approved by the State Board of

Examiners of Courtroom Interpreters;

6. Adopt, with the approval of the Supreme Court, examination

standards and rules governing enrollment, discipline, suspension,

cancellation, and revocation proceedings and any other matter within

the Board's cognizance; and

7. Keep a current roll of registered and certified courtroom

interpreters and a file on all disciplined registered and certified

courtroom interpreters.

B. In all hearings or investigations on revocation,

cancellation, or suspension of enrollment, each Board member shall

be empowered to administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena

witnesses, and take evidence anywhere in the state, after giving

reasonable notice to the party whose status is sought to be

affected.

C. If the Board establishes additional levels of Oklahoma

courtroom interpreter credentials, the Board shall exercise all

related powers and duties as set forth in this section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-91.7f — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-91.7f
Electronic filing — Fee
Status: in_force

A. The Supreme Court shall provide for electronic filing of

documents in the business courts of this state and shall promulgate

rules for the filing of documents transmitted by electronic devices.

B. A fee of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) shall

be charged and collected by the court clerk at the time of filing

any action in, or upon the filing of a motion for removal to, a

business court division established pursuant to Section 91.7 of

Title 20 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Fees shall be charged and

collected pursuant to the fee schedule established for district

courts.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-3.3 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-3.3
Meetings - Changes in judicial compensation
Status: in_force

A. The Board on Judicial Compensation shall meet on the third

Tuesday of September in every odd-numbered year in the

Administrative Office of the Courts, at which meeting the Board

shall review the compensation paid to members of the State Judiciary

and, if necessary, change the compensation. In its review, the

Board shall consider various factors, including judicial

compensation in other states, with an emphasis on states within the

region, the value of comparable services performed in the private

sector, compensation of attorneys in the private and public sectors,

compensation of other state, county and municipal public officials,

and changes in the cost of living. The Board may, at the call of

the chair or upon a majority vote of its membership, hold such

additional meetings as are necessary to carry out its official

duties. Any change in judicial compensation shall be made by the

Board not later than the third Tuesday of November in the odd-

numbered year. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum

and a majority vote of the quorum shall be necessary for the Board

to act. If the Board recommends a change in judicial compensation,

notice of such recommendation shall be provided to the Governor, the

President Pro Tempore and the Chair of the Appropriations Committee

of the Senate, and the Speaker and the Chair of the Appropriations

and Budget Committee of the House of Representatives.

B. Any change in judicial compensation, unless rejected or

amended as provided for in Section 3.2 of this title, shall become

effective on July 1 of the following calendar year. Any amendment

passed by a majority vote of each house of the Legislature shall

become effective as provided by the amendment unless vetoed by the

Governor.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-95.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-95.1
Places of holding district court
Status: in_force

A. Unless and until the Supreme Court or the presiding judge of

the judicial administrative district provides otherwise, and

excluding any business courts established pursuant to Section 91.7

of this title, the district court shall hold court in the county

seat of every county in the district, in any city where a superior

court held sessions and at such other places within the district as

the district and associate district judges shall prescribe.

B. If a governing board of the court fund receives a request

from a municipality that court be held within that municipality and

the board determines that sufficient reasons exist for establishing

a court and that sufficient funds and space for a court are made

available by the municipality, the board may establish a court,

presided over by a special judge, in that municipality. The request

to hold court in a municipality shall be included in the budget

submitted by the governing board of the court fund to the Chief

Justice of the Supreme Court and approved by the Chief Justice.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.7 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.7
District No. 6
Status: in_force

District No. 6. The counties of Grady and Caddo. Said district

shall have one district judge to be nominated and elected at large.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-78.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-78.1
Rules for management and care of records, files and
Status: in_force

papers committed to Clerk of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Court of Tax

Review, and the Court on the Judiciary shall provide by rule, which

shall have the force of law, for the retention, copying,

preservation, archiving and destruction of the records, files and

papers committed to the care of the Clerk of the Supreme Court by

the respective courts.Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 2
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.1Av1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.1Av1
Salaries
Status: in_force

For fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter, except as

otherwise provided by the Board on Judicial Compensation after April

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 382

28, 2021, the following judicial officers shall receive compensation

for their services, payable monthly as follows:

1. A judge of the district court shall receive an annual salary

of One Hundred Forty-five Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-seven Dollars

($145,567.00);

2. An associate district judge shall receive an annual salary

of One Hundred Thirty-four Thousand Two Hundred Sixty-one Dollars

($134,261.00);

3. A special judge shall receive an annual salary of One

Hundred Twenty-two Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-four Dollars

($122,954.00); and

4. A business court judge shall receive an annual salary equal

to that of an associate justice of the Supreme Court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-46 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-46
Attestation of process
Status: in_force

All writs or process issuing from the Criminal Court of Appeals

shall be attested in the name of the presiding Judge and under the

seal of the Court.

R.L. 1910, § 1775.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-72 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-72
Quarterly accounting to Administrative Director
Status: in_force

The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall, on the first Monday of

January, April, July and October of each year, make out and present

to the Administrative Director an itemized and verified report of

all fees earned and collected by the clerk during the preceding

quarter, and shall transfer all monies so earned to the State

Treasurer for deposit in the Supreme Court Revolving Fund.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.17 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.17
Vacancies
Status: in_force

In case a Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals dies, retires,

resigns, or is removed from office, the Governor shall fill the

vacancy by appointment from the congressional district where the

vacancy exists of a person having the required qualifications. The

Judicial Nominating Commission shall choose and submit to the

Governor and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court three nominees,

each of whom has previously notified the Commission in writing that

he or she will serve as a Judge if appointed. The Governor shall

appoint one of the nominees to fill the vacancy, but if he fails to

do so within sixty (60) days the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

shall appoint one of the nominees, the appointment to be certified

by the Secretary of State.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1610 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1610
Renumbered as § 1604.2 of this title by Laws 1997, c. 61,
Status: in_force

§ 15, eff. Nov. 1, 1997.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-31.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-31.1
Name of court
Status: in_force

(a) The name of the "Criminal Court of Appeals" of this state is

hereby changed to "Court of Criminal Appeals".

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 27

(b) Every place in the statutes of this state that the name of

said court appears as the " Criminal Court of Appeals" the reference

shall be deemed to be to the "Court of Criminal Appeals".
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.11 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.11
Status of reporters employed by Corporation Commission
Status: in_force

Full-time official court reporters employed on the effective

date of this act by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission pursuant to

a temporary certificate issued by the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma

Supreme Court are hereby granted the status of a licensed shorthand

reporter in the State of Oklahoma.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-106.4 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-106.4
Duties of reporter - Methods – Unavailability of
Status: in_force

reporter - Transcripts.

A. 1. The court reporter shall make a full reporting by means

of stenographic hand, steno-mask or machine notes, or a combination

thereof, of all proceedings, including the statements of counsel and

the court and the evidence, in trials and other judicial proceedings

to which the court reporter is assigned by the appointing judge

unless excused by the judge who is trying the case with the consent

of the parties to the action. Nothing herein contained shall be

construed to authorize the certification of persons as certified

shorthand reporters who rely exclusively upon the steno-mask for

reporting judicial proceedings, except as provided by law. A

refusal of the court to permit or to require any statement to be

taken down by the court reporter or transcribed after being taken

down, upon the same being shown by affidavit or other direct and

competent evidence, to the Supreme Court, or other appellate court,

shall constitute a denial of due process of law. The court reporter

may use an electronic instrument as a supplementary device.

2. In any trial, hearing or proceedings, if no court reporter

is available to the assigned judge:

a. the judge before whom the matter is being heard may

order the proceedings electronically recorded and a

trial or proceedings may proceed without the necessity

of a court reporter being present. Provided that if

an official transcript is ordered then it shall be

prepared by the official court reporter, or

b. with approval of the judge, the parties may stipulate

to the use of a freelance reporter and share the cost.

If ordered, the transcript shall be prepared by the

approved reporter and shall be considered the official

transcript for all purposes.

B. Upon request of either party in a civil or criminal case,

the reporter shall transcribe the proceedings in a trial or other

judicial proceeding, or so much thereof as may be requested by the

party, certify to the correctness of the transcript, and deliver the

same in accordance with the rules of the Supreme Court. The fee for

an original transcript shall be set by the Supreme Court. Two

copies of the original transcript shall be furnished without

additional charge. Each page shall be at least twenty-five lines to

the page and typed no fewer than nine characters to the typed inch.

Each page shall be no more than double spaced and the margin on the

left side of the page shall be no more than one and one-half (1 1/2)

inches and the margin on the right side of the page shall be no more

than one-half (1/2) inch from the edge of the paper. The format for

all transcripts shall be prescribed by the Supreme Court. The fees

for making the transcript shall be paid in the first instance by the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 395

party requesting the transcript and shall be taxed as costs in the

suit.

When the judge on his or her own motion orders a transcript of

the reporter’s notes, the judge may direct the payment of charges

and the taxation of the charges as costs in such manner as the court

deems appropriate. In a criminal action, if the defendant shall

present to the judge an affidavit that the defendant intends in good

faith to take an appeal in the case and that a transcript of the

reporter’s notes is necessary to enable the defendant to prosecute

the appeal, and that he or she has not the means to pay for the

transcript, the court, upon finding that there is reasonable basis

for the averment, shall order the transcript made at the expense of

the district court fund. The format preparation, delivery and

filing of transcripts to be used in civil and criminal appeals may

be regulated by the Supreme Court.

C. The court reporter shall file his or her records of the

evidence and the proceedings taken in any case with the clerk of the

court in which the case was tried.

D. To the extent that it does not substantially interfere with

the court reporter’s other official duties, the judge by whom a

reporter is employed or to whom he or she is assigned may assign a

reporter to secretarial or clerical duties arising out of official

court operations.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1660 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1660
Expenses
Status: in_force

All expenses of the Council on Judicial Complaints shall be

approved by the chair of the Council on Judicial Complaints, by the

Council on Judicial Complaints upon a majority vote of its members,

or by the Administrative Director as directed by the chair.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1658 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1658
Investigation of complaints
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 491

A. The Council on Judicial Complaints shall promptly

investigate all complaints received by it, and shall determine the

proper disposition thereof, as provided in Sections 1651 through

1661 of this title.

B. The Council shall have power to hold hearings, administer

oaths or affirmations, receive testimony and other evidence, and

issue and serve or cause to be served subpoenas requiring testimony

or the production of books, records, papers or other tangible

evidence.

C. 1. Subject to funding limitations provided by law, the

Council, as needed, may retain, by contract, a court reporter and,

as needed, may retain an attorney by contract with either the Office

of the Attorney General or other counsel.

2. No person acting as counsel to the Council on Judicial

Complaints shall be eligible for election or appointment to the

Judicial Nominating Commission during the term of his or her

employment or contract for services.

D. The Council is hereby authorized to require in aid of its

investigatory functions the services of the Oklahoma State Bureau of

Investigation as provided for in Section 150.34 of Title 74 of the

Oklahoma Statutes or of any governmentally supported investigatory

agency or, upon authorization of the Board of Governors of the

Oklahoma Bar Association, of the services of the Oklahoma Bar

Association.

E. In the event of contemptuous refusal to obey its lawful

orders, the Council may take steps necessary to maintain order in

its session; as to contempts not affecting the maintenance of order,

it shall certify the matter to the Chief Justice of the Supreme

Court, which shall assign the case for trial and appropriate

disposition to a judge of a district court. In a contempt

proceeding in district court, the counsel for the Council on

Judicial Complaints shall act as prosecutor against the alleged

contemnor.

F. 1. All proceedings under this section shall be held in

secrecy to the same extent as proceedings before a grand jury.

2. A complainant or a witness appearing before the Council who

reveals or causes to be revealed to the public any information about

a proposed or pending judicial complaint shall be subject to a fine

not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). The Council on

Judicial Complaints shall promulgate rules pursuant to the

Administrative Procedures Act governing proceedings under this

subsection.

3. In addition to the fine provided for in paragraph 2 of this

subsection, any judicial officer who reveals or causes to be

revealed any information about a proposed or pending judicial

complaint shall be subject to public reprimand by the Court on the

Judiciary.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 492
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.27 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.27
Canadian County
Status: in_force

District No. 26. The county of Canadian.

A. For elections before January 1, 2018, the district shall

have one district judge to be nominated and elected at large.

B. For elections occurring on or after January 1, 2018, the

district shall have two (2) district judges to be nominated and

elected at large.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.8b — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.8b
Judicial District No. 7 - Elections
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 50

A. The provisions of Section 2 of this act and Section 92.8a of

this title shall not affect the term of office of judges of District

Court Judicial District No. 7 serving on the effective date of this

act.

B. The electoral divisions for District Court Judicial District

No. 7 described in Section 2 of this act shall become effective the

second Monday of January, 2015. The electoral divisions described

in Section 2 of this act shall be applicable to elections held

commencing in 2014. The State Election Board shall conduct the

elections for District Court Judicial District No. 7 in 2014 and

thereafter in accordance with the provisions of Section 2 of this

act and Section 92.8a of this title.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.16 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.16
District No. 15
Status: in_force

District No. 15. The counties of Wagoner, Cherokee, Adair,

Muskogee and Sequoyah. Said district shall have four (4) district

judges to be nominated and elected as follows: Candidates for

office Nos. 1 and 4 shall be nominated and elected at large and

legal residents of Muskogee County; a candidate for office No. 2

shall be nominated and elected at large and a legal resident of

Wagoner or Cherokee County; and a candidate for office No. 3 shall

be nominated and elected at large and a legal resident of Adair or

Sequoyah County.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1207 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1207
Trustees - Honorary office
Status: in_force

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 450

The office of trustee shall be honorary, without salary or other

compensation.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-121.2 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-121.2
Associate District Judges - Salary determination
Status: in_force

A. For purposes of determining the salaries of Associate

District Judges, the Federal Decennial Census shall be used to

determine the population of the county.

B. Provided, however, in those counties in which the

population, according to the 1990 Federal Decennial Census, has

fallen below the population threshold for salary determination, the

salary of a sitting Associate District Judge shall not be lowered

below the salary for the population threshold for salary

determination based upon the population according to the 1980

Federal Decennial Census.

C. Provided, however, in those counties in which the

population, according to the 1980 and 1990 Federal Decennial

Censuses, was below the population threshold for salary

determination, but the population rose above the population

threshold for salary determination between the 1980 and 1990 Federal

Decennial Censuses, the salary of an Associate District Judge

continuing in office or initially elected in 1994 shall not be

lowered if the judge or predecessor of the judge received a salary

increase during the time the population of the county rose above the

threshold population. Within forty-five (45) days after the

effective date of this act, any judge who is subject to the

provisions of this subsection and whose salary was reduced shall

receive a one-time payment, in an amount equal to the difference of

the amount of their base pay after the reduction and the amount

their base pay would have been if the reduction had not occurred.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 402
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1402 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1402
Recusal or disqualification of appellate judges –
Status: in_force

Appointment by Governor.

A. No Justice of the Supreme Court of this state or Judge of

the Criminal Court of Appeals shall participate in the decision of

any appellate cause in which the Justice or Judge presided at the

trial of such cause.

B. When a Justice of the Supreme Court is recused or

disqualified from deciding a cause for any reason, the remainder of

the Court shall decide the cause. If, during the decision of any

cause, there are less than seven (7) qualified Justices, the Clerk

of the Court shall certify all such recusals or disqualifications to

the Governor who shall assign a retired Supreme Court Justice to the

matter in substitution of the recused or disqualified Justices. If

no retired Supreme Court Justice is able to serve, the Governor

shall assign a member of the Bar of this state who possesses the

same qualifications as the members of the Supreme Court to the

matter in substitution of the recused or disqualified Justice.

C. When a Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals is recused or

disqualified from deciding a cause for any reason, the Clerk of the

Court shall certify the recusal or disqualification along with the

case number to the Governor who shall assign a retired Judge of the

Court of Criminal Appeals to the matter in substitution of the

recused or disqualified Judge. If no retired Judge of the Court of

Criminal Appeals is able to serve, the Governor shall assign a Judge

of the Court of Civil Appeals to the matter in substitution of the

recused or disqualified Judge. If no Judge of the Court of Civil

Appeals is able to serve, the Governor shall assign a member of the

Bar of this state who possesses the same qualifications as the

members of the Court of Criminal Appeals to the matter in

substitution of the recused or disqualified Judge.

R.L. 1910, § 5815. Renumbered from § 574 of Title 22 by Laws 1969,

c. 119, § 1, emerg. eff. April 3, 1969. Amended by Laws 2022, c.

201, § 1.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.22 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.22
District No. 21
Status: in_force

District No. 21. The counties of Garvin, McClain and Cleveland.

Until the district court elections of 2014, said district to have

four (4) district judges nominated as follows: Candidates for office

Nos. 1, 3 and 4 shall be nominated and elected at large and legal

residents of Cleveland County, and a candidate for office No. 2

shall be nominated and elected at large and a legal resident of

Garvin or McClain County. With the district court elections of

2014, said district to have five (5) district judges nominated as

follows: Candidates for office Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5 shall be nominated

and elected at large and legal residents of Cleveland County, and a

candidate for office No. 2 shall be nominated and elected at large

and a legal resident of Garvin or McClain County. The initial

election for office No. 5, as created by this act, shall be in 2014.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-91.4 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-91.4
Reference to county judge
Status: in_force

The reference to county judge in 19 O.S. 1961, Sections 740 and

771, shall be deemed to mean associate district judge. If there is

more than one associate district judge elected from the county,

county judge refers to the associate district judge who is selected

by all of the associate district judges of the county.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-16.5 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-16.5
Travel and lodging expenses of Nominating Commissioneers
Status: in_force

- Reimbursement - Approval.

Members of the Judicial Nominating Commission shall be

reimbursed for their necessary travel and lodging expenses while

performing their duties as such Commissioners as provided by the

State Travel Reimbursement Act. A member shall certify his expenses

to the Administrative Director and, upon the latter's approval

thereof, the State Treasurer shall issue his reimbursing warrant, to

be paid out of any funds appropriated for such purpose.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1103F — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1103F
Credit for service accumulated in other retirement
Status: in_force

systems.

A member of the Uniform Retirement System for Justices and

Judges may receive credit for those years of credited service

accumulated by the member while a member of the Oklahoma

Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, the Oklahoma Police

Pension and Retirement System, the Oklahoma Law Enforcement

Retirement System, the Teacher's Retirement System of Oklahoma or

the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, if the member is

not receiving or eligible to receive retirement credit or benefits

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 434

from said service in any other public retirement system. To receive

the service credit, the member shall pay the amount determined by

the Board of Trustees pursuant to Section 1103G of this title. Said

service of the member shall not alter the member's vesting

requirements. The service will be added after the member reaches

vesting date.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1215 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1215
Transfer of monies to court fund for purchases and
Status: in_force

maintenance.

The board of law library trustees of any county law library in

the State of Oklahoma, by a majority vote, is hereby authorized to

transfer to the court fund of such county, from time to time, such

unallocated monies in the law library fund of the county as may be

deemed unnecessary by said board for the purchase of law books and

periodicals for said library, and for the proper maintenance

thereof. The provisions of this act shall not apply to counties

having a population in excess of one hundred eighty-five thousand

(185,000) according to the last preceding Federal Census.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1103G — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1103G
Service credit - Computation of purchase price
Status: in_force

A. The Board of Trustees shall adopt rules for computation of

the purchase price for service credit. These rules shall base the

purchase price for each year purchased on the actuarial cost of the

incremental projected benefits to be purchased. The purchase price

shall represent the present value of the incremental projected

benefits discounted according to the member's age at the time of

purchase. Incremental projected benefits shall be the difference

between the projected benefit said member would receive without

purchasing the service credit and the projected benefit after

purchase of the service credit computed as of the earliest age at

which the member would be able to retire. Said computation shall

assume an unreduced benefit and be computed using interest and

mortality assumptions consistent with the actuarial assumptions

adopted by the Board of Trustees for purposes of preparing the

annual actuarial evaluation.

B. In the event that the member is unable to pay the purchase

price provided for in this section by the due date, the Board of

Trustees shall permit the members to amortize the purchase price

over a period not to exceed sixty (60) months. Said payments shall

be made by payroll deductions unless the Board of Trustees permits

an alternate payment source. The amortization shall include

interest in an amount not to exceed the actuarially assumed interest

rate adopted by the Board of Trustees for investment earnings each

year. Any member who ceases to make payment, terminates, retires or

dies before completing the payments provided for in this section

shall receive prorated service credit for only those payments made,

unless the unpaid balance is paid by said member, his or her estate

or successor in interest within six (6) months after said member's

death, termination of employment or retirement, provided no

retirement benefits shall be payable until the unpaid balance is

paid, unless said member or beneficiary affirmatively waives the

additional six-month period in which to pay the unpaid balance. The

Board of Trustees shall promulgate such rules as are necessary to

implement the provisions of this subsection.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 435

C. Current contributing members who, as former members,

withdrew their accumulated contributions, may amortize the cost of

returning the withdrawn contributions over a period of not to exceed

sixty (60) months. Said payments shall be made by payroll

deductions unless the Board of Trustees permits an alternate payment

source. The amortization shall include interest in an amount not to

exceed the actuarially assumed interest rate adopted by the Board of

Trustees for investment earnings each year. Any member who ceases

to make payments, terminates, retires or dies before completing the

payments provided in this subsection shall be refunded all related

payments made, and all related credited service and other related

benefits shall be canceled unless the unpaid balance is paid by said

member, his or her estate or successor in interest within six (6)

months after said member’s death, termination of employment or

retirement. No retirement benefits shall be payable until the

unpaid balance is paid, unless said member or beneficiary

affirmatively waives the additional six-month period in which to pay

the unpaid balance. The Board of Trustees shall promulgate such

rules as are necessary to implement the provisions of this

subsection.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1502 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1502
Duties of Board
Status: in_force

A. The State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand

Reporters shall:

1. Conduct preliminary investigations to determine the

qualifications of applicants seeking to attain the status of

certified shorthand reporters;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 480

2. Conduct at least once a year, at a place and time to be

published by ample notice as directed by the Supreme Court, an

examination of those persons who seek to attain the status of

certified shorthand reporter. The Board may also give examinations

for a certificate of proficiency and for a certificate of merit;

3. Recommend to the Supreme Court for official enrollment as

certified shorthand reporters those persons who, on their

examination, have established the requisite proficiency as set forth

in Section 1503 of this title;

4. Conduct proceedings, on reasonable notice, the object of

which is to recommend to the Supreme Court the suspension,

cancellation, revocation or reinstatement of the enrollment of a

certified or licensed shorthand reporter or of the status of any

acting shorthand reporter, regular or temporary, on the following

grounds:

a. a final conviction of a criminal offense which

indicates a clear and rational likelihood that the

reporter will not properly discharge the

responsibilities of persons licensed under this act or

Section 106.3B of this title,

b. misrepresentation in obtaining licensure,

c. any violation of or noncompliance with any rule or

directive of the Supreme Court,

d. fraud, gross incompetence, or gross or habitual

neglect of duty,

e. engaging in the practice of shorthand reporting using

a method for which the reporter is not certified,

f. engaging in the practice of shorthand reporting while

certification is suspended,

g. nonpayment of renewal dues,

h. failure to annually complete at least four (4) hours

of continuing education approved by the State Board of

Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters, or

i. a violation of Section 1 of this act;

5. Adopt, with the approval of the Supreme Court, examination

standards and rules governing enrollment, discipline, suspension,

cancellation and revocation proceedings and any other matter within

the Board's cognizance; and

6. Keep a current roll of certified shorthand reporters and a

file on all disciplined certified shorthand reporters, official or

unofficial, regular or temporary.

B. In all hearings or investigations on revocation,

cancellation or suspension of enrollment, each Board member shall be

empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses,

and take evidence anywhere in the state, after giving reasonable

notice to the party whose status is sought to be affected.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 481
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1101.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1101.1
Establishment as qualified retirement plan under
Status: in_force

Internal Revenue Code.

A. The Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges is

established as a qualified governmental retirement plan under

Sections 401(a) and 414(d) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

The Board shall administer the System in order to comply with the

applicable provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

B. As used in Section 1101 et seq. of Title 20 of the Oklahoma

Statutes, “federal Internal Revenue Code” means the federal Internal

Revenue Code of 1954 or 1986, as amended and as applicable to a

governmental plan as in effect on July 1, 1999.

C. For purposes of compliance with the federal Internal Revenue

Code, the plan year for the System is the fiscal year beginning July

1 and the limitation year for purposes of Section 415 of the

Internal Revenue Code is the calendar year.

D. Forfeitures arising from severance of employment, death, or

for any other reason may not be applied to increase the benefits any

member would otherwise receive under the System’s law. However,

forfeitures may be used to reduce the employer’s contribution.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-3015 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-3015
Annual report
Status: in_force

Not later than one (1) year after the effective date of this

act, and biennially thereafter, the Administrative Director of the

Courts shall submit to the Legislature an annual report that

includes:

1. A detailed amount spent by the state and local governments

on protecting covered information of elected federal and state

officials and judges;

2. Where the covered information of elected federal and state

officials and judges was found; and

3. The collection of any new types of personal data found to be

used to identify elected federal and state officials or judges who

have received threats, including prior home addresses, employers,

and institutional affiliations such as nonprofit boards.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-91.7e — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-91.7e
Jury trial — Venue — Non-jury trial — Disposition
Status: reserved

schedule.

A. A jury trial may be reserved by a party if claimed within a

time period established by law. A jury trial conducted by the

business court judge shall be held in the county where the contract

stipulates as proper venue, where the action was originally filed,

if removed, or in any county of proper jurisdiction if originally

filed in a business court.

B. Non-jury trials in a business court shall be resolved within

twelve (12) months of the filing of the action. The twelve-month

disposition schedule may be extended if both parties agree to a

longer resolution period, or upon a finding by the business court of

extraordinary cause for such an extension, which shall be appealable

to the Supreme Court. An extension shall be memorialized in writing

by all parties and approved by the court.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-26 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-26
Judicial Nominating Commission — Recusal based on
Status: in_force

consanguinity or affinity — Disclosure of judicial campaign

contributions.

A. No member of the Judicial Nominating Commission who is

related to an applicant for any position for which the Commission is

responsible to submit nominations to an appointing authority

pursuant to Section 3 of Article VII-B of the Constitution of the

State of Oklahoma shall participate in the decision-making process

with respect to such applicant if the Commission member is related

to the applicant within the third degree of consanguinity or

affinity. If a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission

participates in the decision-making process with respect to an

applicant in contravention of the requirement of this subsection,

the member shall be immediately removed from the Commission and

shall be permanently forbidden from being appointed to the

Commission.

B. No later than ten (10) days after receiving the final list

of applications for an open position which is set to come before the

Judicial Nominating Commission, a member of the Judicial Nominating

Commission shall make full disclosure of the date and amount of any

contribution made by such member to the judicial campaign of any

person making application to the Commission for their possible

nomination to an appointing authority pursuant to the provisions of

Section 3 of Article VII-B of the Constitution of the State of

Oklahoma. The Administrative Director of the Courts shall prescribe

a form to be used for such purpose. The completed forms shall be

posted in a conspicuous manner on a website maintained by or on

behalf of the Judicial Nominating Commission and shall be accessible

until the position for which nominations are to be submitted by the

Commission has been filled.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-16.1 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-16.1
Administrative Director of the Courts
Status: in_force

A. As provided in Section 6 of Article VII of the Oklahoma

Constitution, there shall be appointed by the Supreme Court an

Administrative Director of the Courts, who shall serve at the

pleasure of the Supreme Court to assist the Chief Justice in

performance of administrative duties.

B. The Administrative Director of the Courts shall be

responsible for and have control over matters concerning the budget,

personnel, technology, purchases and other administrative operations

over all courts of this state, including the Court of Civil Appeals

and the Court of Criminal Appeals, and performing such additional

duties as may be assigned by the Chief Justice.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-3012 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-3012
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in the Oklahoma Elected Official and Judicial Security

and Privacy Act of 2025:

1. The term “at-risk individual” means any currently elected

federal official of this state, any current state official elected

statewide, or any active or retired member of the State Judiciary,

and shall also include municipal, county, tribal, and federal

judges;

2. The term “commercial entity” means any corporation,

partnership, limited partnership, proprietorship, sole

proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, or association engaged

in the buying or selling of goods or services for profit;

3. The term “covered information” means:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 504

a. a home address, including primary residence or

secondary residences of an at-risk individual,

b. a home or personal mobile telephone number, or the

direct telephone number of a government-issued cell

phone or private extension in the chambers of an at-

risk individual,

c. a personal email address of an at-risk individual,

d. the bank account or credit or debit card information

of an at-risk individual,

e. the home or other address displayed on property tax

records or held by a federal, state, or local

government agency of an at-risk individual, including

any secondary residence and any investment property at

which an at-risk individual resides for part of a

year,

f. a license plate number or home address displayed on

vehicle registration information of an at-risk

individual,

g. the identification of children under the age of

eighteen (18) of an at-risk individual or any child

under the age of twenty-six (26) whose permanent

residence is the home of the at-risk individual,

h. the full date of birth,

i. a photograph of any vehicle that legibly displays the

license plate or a photograph of a residence that

legibly displays the address of the residence of an

at-risk individual,

j. the name and address of a school or day care facility

attended by immediate family of an at-risk individual,

k. the name and address of an employer of immediate

family of an at-risk individual, or

l. the name and address of a place of worship the at-risk

individual or immediate family of an at-risk

individual attends;

4. The term “immediate family” means a spouse, child, or parent

of an at-risk individual or any other familial relative of an at-

risk individual whose permanent residence is the same as the at-risk

individual;

5. The term “social media” means any online electronic medium

or a live chat system that:

a. primarily serves as a medium for users to interact

with content generated by other third-party users of

the medium,

b. enables users to create accounts or profiles specific

to the medium or to import profiles from another

medium, and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 505

c. enables one or more users to generate content that can

be viewed by other third-party users of the medium;

6. The term “state agency” means:

a. an executive agency, as defined by Oklahoma Statute,

b. any county, local or municipal governing body, or

regulatory body, and

c. any state agency in the judicial branch or legislative

branch; and

7. The term “transfer” means to sell, license, trade, or

exchange for consideration the covered information of an at-risk

individual or immediate family.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-641 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-641
Transfer on creation or alteration of county
Status: in_force

Whenever part of a county has been transferred to another

county, or a new county has been created out of an existing county,

as provided by law, all civil, criminal, probate and other causes

pending in the district and county courts of the original county,

shall be transferred to the county as would be proper venue for such

action or proceeding had the same been commenced after attaching

said part of a county to an existing county, or creating said new

county; provided, that the provisions of this section shall not

apply to counties in which there is at present pending a court

action to determine the legality of the transfer or transferring of

any territory from one county to another county, or the creation of

a new county, until the matter has been finally determined by the

courts.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-95.3 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-95.3
Time clerk's office open in cities other than county
Status: in_force

seat.

When not prescribed by the Supreme Court or the Presiding Judge

of the judicial administrative district, the district court shall

prescribe when the office of the court clerk shall be open for the

transaction of business in cities other than the county seat.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1316 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1316
Appointment of law student clerks for Supreme Court,
Status: in_force

Court of Civil Appeals and district courts - Grants and Donations

Revolving Fund.

A. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is authorized to

appoint law student clerks for the Supreme Court, Court of Civil

Appeals, and the district courts. All personnel appointed under

this section shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. No personnel employed under the

provisions of this section shall be employed for more than one

thousand (1,000) hours per year.

B. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving

fund for the Supreme Court, to be designated the "Grants and

Donations Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not

subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 475

received by the Supreme Court, from gifts, grants, private

donations, and federal funding for the payment of salaries and

benefits for law student clerks for the Supreme Court, Court of

Civil Appeals, or the district courts. All monies accruing to the

credit of the fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and

expended by the Supreme Court for the purpose of the payment of

salaries and benefits for law student clerks for the Supreme Court,

Court of Civil Appeals, or the district courts. Expenditures from

the fund and personnel employed under the provisions of this section

shall be exempt from full-time-equivalency and budgetary

limitations. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants

issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by

law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise

Services for approval and payment.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-30.3 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-30.3
Disqualification of judge
Status: in_force

No Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals shall participate in the

consideration or decision of any case if the Judge has presided at

the trial of that case or acted in it as an attorney for one of the

litigants. The Supreme Court shall prescribe the procedure to be

followed when a member of the Court of Civil Appeals is disqualified

to hear a case.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-51 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-51
Oath
Status: in_force

The referee shall take and subscribe to the oath of office

prescribed by the Constitution for state officials before entering

upon the discharge of his duties.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-73.5 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-73.5
Copies of opinions - Cost - Free copies - Disposition of
Status: in_force

monies.

From and after January 1, 1954, the new opinions of the Supreme

Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Appeals shall

be promptly furnished, at a cost of twenty-five cents ($0.25) per

page, to any person, firm or corporation who shall request same in

writing to the Clerk of the Supreme Court for the purpose of

publishing, editing and binding the opinions. For any other

purpose, other persons, firms or corporations shall be furnished,

upon request in writing to the Clerk of the Supreme Court, copies of

the opinions, or any instrument of record or other record filed with

the Clerk of the Supreme Court, at that fee mandated by Section 31

of Title 28 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for the copying of any

instrument of record or on file. Provided however, the opinions

shall be furnished free of cost to the litigants involved, and to

the Oklahoma Bar Association for any official publication of the

Association.

All monies collected by the Clerk of the Supreme Court for the

opinions and other copies shall be by the Clerk deposited monthly to

the credit of the Supreme Court Revolving Fund of the State of

Oklahoma.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-129 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-129
Judicial firearms permits
Status: in_force

A judge of the district court, municipal judge, or retired judge

of the district court who receives a statement from the appropriate

retirement system verifying the status of the person as a retired

judge of the district court may carry a firearm on his or her person

anywhere in the state to use only for personal protection if the

person has successfully completed a handgun qualification course for

court officials developed by the Council on Law Enforcement

Education and Training. The Council on Law Enforcement Education

and Training may provide for an identification card to be issued to

the judge of the district court, retired judge of the district

court, or municipal judge and may provide application forms. If the

person issued an identification card is no longer eligible, that

person shall immediately return the identification card to the

Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1315.5 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1315.5
Joint development projects with computer software
Status: in_force

vendors.

The Supreme Court shall not enter into any joint development

project with a vendor of computer software that requires county

court clerk offices to use software that is not available to the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 474

general public, other than software that is essential for operation

of the court’s case management application and related components.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-1705 — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-1705
Certification from other states or federal
Status: in_force

A person holding a state or federal certification which is

deemed by the State Board of Examiners of Certified Courtroom

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 499

Interpreters to be equivalent to that of an Oklahoma certified

courtroom interpreter may apply to be enrolled without examination

as an Oklahoma certified courtroom interpreter upon payment of fees

established by the Board, and satisfying the Board that such

person's credentials are in proper order.
Okla. Stat. tit. 20, § 20-92.15a — OK Code / Title 20 / Section 20-92.15a
District No. 14 - Election of judges
Status: in_force

District Court Judicial District No. 14 shall have fourteen (14)

district judges. For elections held after 1994, district judges

shall be nominated and elected as follows: one judge shall be

nominated and elected from and be a legal resident of electoral

Division No. 1, one judge shall be nominated and elected from and be

a legal resident of electoral Division No. 2, one judge shall be

nominated and elected from and be a legal resident of electoral

Division No. 3, one judge shall be nominated and elected from and be

a legal resident of electoral Division No. 4, one judge shall be

nominated and elected from and be a legal resident of electoral

Division No. 5, one judge shall be nominated from and be a legal

resident of Pawnee County and shall be elected at large, and the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 20. Courts Page 92

remaining judges shall be nominated from and be legal residents of

Tulsa County and shall be elected at large.