Oklahoma Supreme Court Decisions

Oklahoma is one of only two states that have divided the highest court into civil and criminal branches. The Oklahoma Supreme Court is the highest court in the state for civil matters, while the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals holds exclusive appellate jurisdiction over criminal cases under the Oklahoma Constitution. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has the authority to decide which court should hear an appeal if there is any uncertainty. Nine justices serve on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, while five justices serve on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. The state legislature can change the size of the Court of Criminal Appeals but cannot change the size of the Supreme Court, which is set by the Oklahoma Constitution.

Both courts use an assisted appointment process for selecting justices, who serve six-year terms. Under Article VII of the Oklahoma Constitution, a candidate for justice must submit their name to the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. The Commission will provide the names of three candidates to the Governor of Oklahoma. Once the Governor chooses a justice, they will serve until the next general election, when they must win a retention election. The Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court will choose a candidate if the Governor does not make a decision within 60 days. The presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals serves a two-year term and is selected by a vote of the other justices.

To be eligible to serve on the Supreme Court or the Court of Criminal Appeals, a candidate must be at least 30 years old and must have been a licensed practicing attorney or judge in Oklahoma for at least five years. They also must have been a registered voter in the judicial district that they represent for at least one year before pursuing this position. An active justice must maintain their certification as an attorney or judge throughout their tenure.

Browse Opinions From the Oklahoma Supreme Court
Recent Decisions From the Oklahoma Supreme Court
COUCH v STATEOF OKLAHOMA ex rel. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY  
Date: April 22, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 26
Docket Number: 121845

Justia Opinion Summary: Christopher Couch was stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper for a tag light violation. The trooper observed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol, and administered field…

IN THE MATTER OF FB v STATE OF OKLAHOMA  
Date: April 15, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 25
Docket Number: 121659

Justia Opinion Summary: The State of Oklahoma moved to terminate a mother's parental rights due to her methamphetamine addiction and failure to provide a stable environment for her child. The child was placed in emergency custody in May 2022,…

Mills v. J-M Mfg. Co., Inc.  
Date: April 8, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 23
Docket Number: 121781

Justia Opinion Summary: Charter Oak Production Co., LLC paid to settle a property damage claim after a pipeline installed on its easement ruptured, causing a saltwater spill on the property of Jason and Melissa Mills. Charter Oak sought…

IN RE: N.A.; STATE OF OKLAHOMA vs MALDONADO  
Date: April 8, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 22
Docket Number: 122331 (cons w/ 122399)

Justia Opinion Summary: Cynthia Maldonado and Martha Amaro, who lived on both sides of the Oklahoma-Kansas border and in Mexico, appealed a trial court's order that Oklahoma had jurisdiction over a juvenile deprived proceeding under the Uniform…

IN THE MATTER OF THE REINSTATEMENT OF LUCERO
Date: April 7, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 24
Docket Number: SCBD-7714
IN RE: CERTIFICATION OF THE OFFICIAL OKLAHOMA STATUTES
Date: April 1, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 21
STATE OF OKLAHOMA ex rel. OBA v. SHIELDS  
Date: March 25, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 20
Docket Number: SCBD-7480

Justia Opinion Summary: An Assistant District Attorney (ADA) was accused of misconduct for observing jury deliberations during a first-degree murder trial. The ADA entered a security office where the jury's deliberations were being monitored…

Sanders v. Turn Key Health Clinics, LLC  
Date: March 11, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 19
Docket Number: 121589

Justia Opinion Summary: Philip Sanders filed a petition in the District Court for Creek County, alleging that Turn Key Health Clinics, LLC caused the wrongful death of his wife, Brenda Jean Sanders, during her confinement in the Creek County…

RE SUSPENSION OF CREDENTIALS OF CERTIFIED AND REGISTERED COURTROOM INTERPRETERS
Date: March 10, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 18
OKLAHOMA GAS AND ELECTRIC CO. v. STATE  
Date: March 4, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 15
Docket Number: 118857

Justia Opinion Summary: In the spring of 2018, People's Electric Cooperative and Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E) submitted competing bids to provide retail electric service to the Tall Oak Woodford Cryo Plant in Coal County, Oklahoma.…

POPPINGA v. WALLACE  
Date: March 4, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 17
Docket Number: 121217

Justia Opinion Summary: Grant Phillip Poppinga filed a paternity petition seeking custody, visitation, and support for his daughter with Arrianna Monet Wallace. Unable to locate Wallace, Poppinga attempted service by publication. When Wallace…

IN THE MATTER OF THE REINSTATEMENT OF McTEER
Date: March 4, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 16
Docket Number: SCBD-7575
RE SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATES OF CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTERS
Date: March 3, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 14
Jai Hospitality, LLC v. Western World Insurance Co.  
Date: February 25, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 13
Docket Number: 121294

Justia Opinion Summary: Jai Hospitality, LLC (Jai) sued Western World Insurance Company (Western World) after Western World denied Jai's claim for damages from a fire at Jai's motel, arguing that the insurance policy had expired. Jai contended…

CONNER v. STATE  
Date: February 25, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 12
Docket Number: 122216

Justia Opinion Summary: Claudia C. Conner, the plaintiff, was employed by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) as General Counsel and Chief of Staff. She was terminated in November 2021, at the age of over sixty, despite having…

The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

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