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.
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Recent Decisions From the Oklahoma Supreme Court
Date: March 12, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 17
Docket Numbers: 119, 429, 569
Justia Opinion Summary: In this case, the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma addressed a claim brought by a mother seeking recovery for the loss of her minor child who had drowned in a neighbor's swimming pool. The mother alleged negligence…
Date: March 12, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 19
Docket Numbers: 121, 203
Justia Opinion Summary: This case involves Jade P. Schiewe and Zachary Pfaff, who filed a lawsuit against the Cessna Aircraft Company, alleging negligence after a plane crash in September 2010. The plaintiffs were flying a Cessna 172RG when a…
Date: March 11, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 16
Date: March 11, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 18
Docket Number: No. 7550
Date: March 5, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 14
Docket Number: 120735
Justia Opinion Summary: The Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma affirmed the termination of a mother's parental rights in a case concerning two deprived children. The mother, Brianna Tatum, had sought certiorari review from the Court of…
Date: March 5, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 12
Docket Numbers: 7552, SCBD-7552
Date: March 4, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 10
Docket Number: 121834
Date: March 4, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 11
Date: March 4, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 15
Docket Number: SCBD-7581
Date: February 27, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 9
Docket Number: 119998
Justia Opinion Summary: In this case, the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma considered whether an ongoing investigation into potential criminal charges constituted a "pending charge" for the purposes of expungement. The appellant, Andrew…
Date: February 13, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 4
Docket Number: 121510
Justia Opinion Summary: An ambulance, driven by an employee of the Jackson County Emergency Medical Services District (JCEMSD) in the State of Oklahoma, collided with a turnpike tollbooth, injuring the toll-worker. The toll-worker filed a…
Date: February 12, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 5
Docket Number: 2024-5
Date: February 12, 2024
Citation: 2024 OK 6
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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