OKLAHOMA - STATE COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE

• NCJ Number: 55088
• Author(s): P H STANFORD
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 79 pages
• Grant Number(s): 76-DF-99-0052; 76-DF-99-0026; 77-DF-99-0052
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American Bar Association
• Sale Source: National Ctr for State Courts
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: STATE COURT ORGANIZATION PROFILE SERIES

Annotation

THIS REPORT, ONE IN A SERIES CONTAINING PROFILES OF NONFEDERAL COURT SYSTEMS, DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATION OF STATE COURTS IN OKLAHOMA.

Abstract

THE OKLAHOMA JUDICIAL SYSTEM OPERATES UNDER A CENTRALLY-ADMINISTERED SYSTEM CREATED BY 1967 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. THE JUDICIARY IS COMPRISED OF THE SUPREME COURT, THE COURT OF APPEALS, THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, AND DISTRICT COURTS. THERE ARE ALSO TWO TYPES OF LIMITED JURISDICTION COURTS (MUNICIPAL COURTS NOT OF RECORD OF MUNICIPAL CRIMINAL COURTS) THAT HEAR ORDINANCE VIOLATION CASES AND HAVE STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION. ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS EXERCISED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT, AND THE SUPREME COURT HAS JURISDICTION OVER ALL CIVIL APPEALS. THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS HAS EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER CRIMINAL CASES. THE DISTRICT COURT HAS UNLIMITED ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OVER ALL JUSTICIABLE MATTERS, THE POWER TO REVIEW ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS, AND THE POWER TO ISSUE WRITS. THE MUNICIPAL COURT HAS ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OVER ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS INVOLVING MAXIMUM PUNISHMENTS OF A $300 FINE, 90 DAY IMPRISONMENT, OR BOTH. IT IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE SUBPOENAS, SUMMONS, AND ARREST WARRANTS. THE MUNICIPAL COURT NOT OF RECORD HAS ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OVER CITY ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS. PROCEDURES PERTAINING TO THE FOLLOWING AREAS HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED: THE QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, AND TERM OF THE JUDICIARY; THE DISCIPLINE AND REMOVAL OF JUDGES; COMPENSATION; RETIREMENT AGE AND ACTIVE SERVICE; CONTINUING EDUCATION; AND THE USE OF PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS. THERE IS NO CENTRALIZED NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL SYSTEM IN OKLAHOMA. THE DETAILED PROFILE OF THE COURT SYSTEM CONCERNS COURTS OF LAST RESORT, INTERMEDIATE APPELLATE COURTS, TRIAL COURT OF GENERAL JURISDICTION, TRIAL COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION, JUDGES, PARAJUDICIAL OFFICERS, NONJUDICIAL PERSONNEL, JUDICIAL POLICYMAKING AND ADVISORY BODIES, COURT ADMINISTRATION, COURT FINANCING, AND COURT RECORDS AND STATISTICS. SOURCES OF INFORMATION USED TO PREPARE THE PROFILE ARE LISTED. ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS OF THE COURT SYSTEM ARE INCLUDED. DATA ON SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE OKLAHOMA COURT SYSTEM AND AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS RELATING TO COURT ORGANIZATION ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)