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Oklahoma Court Records

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The Oklahoma court system includes the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Court of Civil Appeals, 77 district courts, and various courts of limited jurisdiction. Courts of limited jurisdiction handle specific types of cases, such as traffic violations and city ordinance issues, typically through municipal courts. More than 400,000 cases are filed each fiscal year in Oklahoma courts.

District courts, also known as courts of general jurisdiction, manage the majority of civil and criminal cases, including divorces, lawsuits, and felonies.

Oklahoma is unique in having two courts of last resort: the Court of Criminal Appeals (handling criminal matters) and the Supreme Court (handling civil matters). Appeals from criminal cases are reviewed by the Court of Criminal Appeals, while civil appeals go to the Court of Civil Appeals or the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court also reviews constitutional challenges and state law issues.

In Oklahoma, specialized courts handle specific types of legal matters such as the Workers' Compensation Court of Existing Claims and the Court of Tax Review. The Workers' Compensation Court of Existing Claims has limited jurisdiction over claims related to workplace injuries that occurred before February 1, 2014, under the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Act. Cases involving injuries on or after that date are managed by the Workers' Compensation Commission, a separate state administrative agency.

The Court of Tax Review is a unique District Court panel that has exclusive authority over certain ad valorem tax disputes and appeals from state tax agencies. When a case arises, it is assigned to the administrative district where it originated, and three district judges are appointed to a panel to hear the matter and determine the appropriate county for proceedings.

What Are the Types of Court Records In Oklahoma?

Court records are the official documentation of proceedings and actions taken during the administration of justice in the state's judicial system. These records are created and maintained as cases progress through the courts, and they serve as the legal history of all matters brought before the judiciary. Oklahoma court records may include pleadings (such as petitions, complaints, answers, and motions), judicial orders, trial transcripts, verdicts, sentencing information, and any filings or exhibits submitted during a case. Each court in Oklahoma is responsible for maintaining its records. The clerk of the court at each level is tasked with maintaining, organizing, and granting access to the records under their jurisdiction.

The types of records maintained by each court in the Oklahoma judicial system include:

  • Oklahoma Supreme Court
    • Opinions and Rulings: Final written decisions on significant legal or constitutional issues in the state. These are binding on all lower Oklahoma courts.
    • Case Dockets: Comprehensive listings of filings, motions, briefs, and rulings in cases before the Court.
    • Attorney and Judicial Disciplinary Records: Decisions involving ethics violations or professional misconduct, typically in coordination with the Oklahoma Bar Association.
    • Administrative Orders and Rules: Issuances regarding statewide judicial procedures, rules of court, and guidance for lower courts.
    • Petitions for Writs of Certiorari: Requests for review of decisions from the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals or the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals.
  • Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals
    • Appellate Case Dockets: Detailed records of civil appeals, including all procedural filings and court actions.
    • Published Opinions and Orders: Final rulings on civil cases that do not rise to the level of the Supreme Court but may establish legal precedent.
    • Motions and Briefs: Arguments submitted by parties contesting lower court decisions.
    • Oral Argument Summaries: Available for cases where the Court hears oral arguments.
  • Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals
    • Criminal Appellate Dockets: Records of all appeals in criminal matters, including post-conviction relief and death penalty cases.
    • Opinions and Decisions: Final rulings and written opinions interpreting criminal law and procedure.
    • Legal Briefs and Motions: Submissions from prosecutors and defense attorneys arguing for or against the lower court's rulings.
  • Oklahoma District Courts
    • Criminal Case Records: Includes misdemeanors and felonies, charging documents, plea agreements, trials, and sentencing.
    • Civil Case Files: Disputes involving contracts, personal injury, landlord-tenant matters, and small claims.
    • Family and Domestic Records: Divorce, custody, child support, protective orders, and adoption proceedings.
    • Probate and Guardianship Cases: Wills, estate administration, conservatorships, and mental health commitments.
    • Juvenile Court Records: Delinquency, abuse and neglect, and truancy-related proceedings.
  • Oklahoma Municipal Courts
    • Traffic and Ordinance Violations: Handle speeding, parking, and city code violations.
    • Misdemeanors and Local Offenses: Process low-level crimes and municipal infractions.
    • Small Claims and Evictions: For disputes under $10,000 (in Justice Courts only).
    • Court Records Access: Limited online availability; records can often be accessed through the city clerk or municipal court office.
  • Workers' Compensation Court of Existing Claims
    • Legacy Claim Files: Including original claims, amendments, court motions, and decisions.
    • Judicial Orders: Rulings by judges regarding compensation, penalties, or case dismissal.
    • Medical and Vocational Reports: Documentation used to determine the extent of injury or ability to work.
    • Hearing Transcripts and Docket Sheets: Summaries and full transcripts of case proceedings.
    • Settlement Documents: Agreed resolutions of claims, including lump sum and structured settlements.
  • Oklahoma Court of Tax Review
    • Petitions and Complaints
    • Answers and Responses
    • Court Orders and Rulings
    • Motions and Briefs
    • Hearing Transcripts and Records
    • Judgments and Final Decisions
    • Appeal Records
    • Administrative and Docket Records

Are Oklahoma Court Records Public?

Oklahoma court records are generally public under the Oklahoma Open Records Act (OORA). The OORA mandates that court records maintained by public agencies and courts be made available for inspection and copying, unless otherwise exempt by law. However, some records are exempt from public disclosure due to the sensitive nature of their content or privacy protections. These include juvenile court records, adoption records, mental health commitment records, and sealed or expunged criminal records. Court records in Oklahoma may be sealed by a judge for several reasons, including:

  • Protecting the privacy of minors
  • Preventing harm to victims of sensitive crimes, such as in sexual assault cases
  • Ensuring fair trial rights
  • Maintaining confidentiality in family law or mental health cases
  • When required by statute or court order

How Do I Search Oklahoma Court Records?

You may search Oklahoma court records online in the following ways:

How To Retrieve Court Records Offline

To retrieve court records offline in Oklahoma or obtain certified court records, you must visit the clerk of the district court in the county where the case was filed. Some court clerk offices allow requesters to complete a record request form or a written request containing relevant information such as case number, name of parties involved, type of case, and approximate date of filing.

Standard copies of court records cost about $1 per page, and certified copies cost $5 per document. Simple requests are usually processed on the same day or within a few business days. Larger or older files may take up to two weeks, especially if stored off-site or require redaction of confidential information.

Can I Seal or Expunge an Oklahoma Court Record?

Expungement in Oklahoma means to remove a record from public view and most background checks. When a record is expunged, the public will not be able to see the record except the owner of the record grants them permission. On the other hand, sealing refers to a process of restricting public access to a document. The state generally uses the term expungement for removing a record from background checks and public view.

Oklahoma sets requirements for anyone looking to expunge their records under Title 22 Section 18, Title 22 Section 19, and Title 22 Section 991C. Typically, the state allows for expungement if:

  • You were convicted of a non-violent felony
  • You received a suspended sentence or deferred sentence (a waiting period will be required)
  • The record is a misdemeanor (arrest and court records may be expunged)

Oklahoma allows for two basic forms of expungement: A Section 18 expungement and a Section 991 (c) expungement. A Section 18 expungement allows for the expungement of a person's entire arrest record in a county, while a Section 991 (C) expungement provides record sealing privileges to an individual who received a deferred sentence and has their case disposition indicate a dismissal. Due to the complicated nature of Oklahoma expungement laws, it is recommended that you consult with an expungement lawyer before you file for a petition with the court.

Before consulting with an experienced expungement attorney, you should obtain a copy of your complete criminal history report, as it will be required to determine your eligibility. To obtain your complete history report, you must fill out a request, send it to the OSBI, and pay the appropriate fee ($15). You may initiate the process via the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) website.

You may file for expungement in Oklahoma using this process:

  • File a Petition: Submit a formal petition for expungement at the court clerk's office in the county where the criminal charges were originally filed. Note that expunging court records is free, but expunging arrest records requires paying a $150 processing fee.
  • Receive a Hearing Date: Upon filing, the court clerk will provide you with a date for your expungement hearing.
  • Serve Notice to Required Parties: Before the hearing, submit a copy of your petition to:
    • The District Attorney or the Prosecutor's Office
    • The arresting law enforcement agency
    • The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
    • If your case involves multiple charges or jurisdictions, you may need to notify multiple agencies.
  • Attend the Court Hearing: You must appear in court on the scheduled date. In making a decision, the judge will review your petition and consider:
    • Whether you meet the legal qualifications for expungement
    • Whether the benefit to your privacy outweighs the public interest in keeping the records accessible.

If the judge grants your request, the court will issue an official order to expunge your records. The court may expunge all or only part of your records or limit access to certain entities or individuals rather than making the records completely unavailable.

  • Distribute the Final Order: After receiving the signed expungement order, send a certified copy to all parties you originally served:
    • The District Attorney
    • The arresting agency
    • The OSBI
    • Any other agencies involved

Note that if you pled guilty and received a deferred sentence, you may request expungement under Oklahoma Statute Section 991C. This type of expungement is typically granted at no cost. You may request your deferred review.

How To Search Federal Court Records in Oklahoma

Federal court records in Oklahoma may be obtained both online and offline. To access these records online, you may use the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system. To use PACER, you must create an account. There is a fee of $0.10 per page viewed, with a maximum charge of $3.00 per document.

You may retrieve federal court records by visiting the clerk's office at the relevant federal courthouse. Each of Oklahoma's three federal districts has its own courthouse where members of the public may view or request copies of case files. The cost for paper copies obtained in person is $0.50 per page. If a certified copy is needed, there is an additional charge of $11.00 per document, on top of the per-page fee.

How To Get Oklahoma Court Records Online for Free?

You may search Oklahoma court records for free online via the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) and On Demand Court Records (ODCR). These websites provide access to a wide range of public court records from various counties across the state. Both platforms allow users to view case summaries, dockets, and filing information without charge.

In addition to state-run databases, you may also access Oklahoma court records for free through reliable third-party public record websites like PublicRecords.us.

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