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
MTGLQ Investors v. Witherspoon  
Date: June 6, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 62
Docket Number: 118355

Justia Opinion Summary: In 2004, the Defendants-appellees Joe and Cindy Witherspoon obtained an installment loan in the amount of $66,400.00 from a mortgage company. The promissory note was secured by a standard Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac uniform…

IN RE FEE SCHEDULE FOR STATE BD. OF EXAMINERS OF CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTERS
Date: June 5, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 63
STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. BETHEA
Date: June 5, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 64
Docket Number: SCBD-7443
TIB-The Independent Bankers Bank v. Goerke  
Date: May 31, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 61
Docket Number: 119609

Justia Opinion Summary: In August 2015, Plaintiff-appellant, TIB-The Independent Bankers Bank ("TIB"), filed a foreclosure action against Kyle Goerke, based on a mortgage executed and recorded in 2007. TIB also included claims against Kyle…

Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Justice v. Oklahoma  
Date: May 31, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 60
Docket Number: 120376

Justia Opinion Summary: Petitioners filed this original proceeding objecting to two pieces of legislation passed by the Oklahoma legislature during the 2022 legislative session: S.B. 1503 and H.B. 4327. Both acts prohibited abortion after…

Hirschfeld, et al. v. Oklahoma Turnpike Authority  
Date: May 31, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 59
Docket Number: 120981

Justia Opinion Summary: A group of Oklahoma landowners petitioned for a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief, claiming that the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority violated the Open Meeting Act, 25 O.S.2021, §§ 301 to 314, regarding its notice to…

Pike Off OTA v. Okla. Turnpike Auth.  
Date: May 23, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 57
Docket Number: 121039

Justia Opinion Summary: Appellants Pike Off OTA, Inc., Amy Cerato, Mike Leary, Vince Dougherty, Terrie Club, Mike Club, Twyla Smith, Cali Coward, Karen Powell, Mike Powell, Cedric Leblanc, Darla Leblanc, Claudette Wispe, Mark Dooling, Nate…

STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. ODOM
Date: May 23, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 58
Docket Number: SCBD-7413
STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. FIELDS
Date: May 9, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 56
Docket Number: SCBD-6906
STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. LOWERY
Date: May 9, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 54
Docket Number: SCBD-7399
IN RE AMENDMENT TO 12 O.S. CH. 15 APP. 1 RULES OF OKLAHOMA SUPREME C0URT
Date: May 8, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 55
In the Matter of the Estate of Parker  
Date: May 2, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 50
Docket Number: 119871

Justia Opinion Summary: Ronald W. Parker (Decedent) died on April 3, 2020, as a resident of Pittsburg County, Oklahoma. He left behind two adult daughters, Mandy Allford and Shila Pirpich, and a brother, Herman Parker (Herman). A little more…

Terral Telephone Co. v. Oklahoma St. Bd. of Equalization  
Date: May 2, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 51
Docket Number: 120943

Justia Opinion Summary: Respondent Oklahoma State Board of Equalization, assessed an ad valorem tax concerning on the property of Complainant Terral Telephone Company. The Company protested the assessment, and the Board moved to dismiss the…

STATE ex rel. OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v. LITTLEFIELD
Date: May 2, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 53
Docket Number: SCBD-7259
HERRERA-CHACON v. STATE
Date: May 1, 2023
 Citation: 2023 OK 52
Docket Number: 120985
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.
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