Oklahoma State Court: An Overview of its Structure and Function
Oklahoma State Court is a vital part of the judiciary system in the state of Oklahoma. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the structure and function of the Oklahoma State Court system, including its various levels and the types of cases handled at each level. The role of judges, as well as the role of juries, will also be discussed to provide a complete understanding of the inner workings of the Oklahoma State Court system.
The Structure of the Oklahoma State Court System
The Oklahoma State Court system is organized into several levels, with each level designed to handle specific types of cases. The primary levels of the court system are as follows:
- District Courts
- Appellate Courts
- Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals
- Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals
- Oklahoma Supreme Court
District Courts
The District Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in the Oklahoma State Court system. Each of Oklahoma's 77 counties is organized into 26 judicial districts, and each judicial district has one or more district judges. District Courts have the authority to handle both civil and criminal cases. In addition, they also oversee cases involving probate, guardianship, juvenile, and domestic matters.
The District Courts are further divided into specialized divisions, such as:
- Civil Division
- Criminal Division
- Family Division
- Probate Division
These divisions help streamline the processing of cases and ensure that each case is handled by a judge with the appropriate expertise.
Appellate Courts
The Appellate Courts in the Oklahoma State Court system are responsible for reviewing the decisions made by the District Courts. There are two appellate courts in Oklahoma:
- Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals
- Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals
The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals handles appeals involving civil cases, while the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals deals exclusively with criminal cases. These courts review the decisions of the District Courts for any errors in law or procedure that may have occurred during the trial. They do not retry cases or hear new evidence but focus on ensuring the proper application of the law.
Oklahoma Supreme Court
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is the highest court in the Oklahoma State Court system. It primarily handles appeals from the appellate courts but may also hear appeals directly from the District Courts in certain circumstances. The Oklahoma Supreme Court consists of nine justices, who are appointed by the governor and serve staggered six-year terms. The court's primary function is to ensure that the law is consistently and fairly applied across the state.
The Role of Judges in the Oklahoma State Court System
Judges play a crucial role in the Oklahoma State Court system. They are responsible for overseeing the proceedings of a trial, ensuring that proper legal procedures are followed, and making decisions on matters of law. In some cases, judges may also be responsible for deciding the outcome of a case if there is no jury present (known as a bench trial).
In the District Courts, judges are elected to four-year terms in non-partisan elections. Appellate Court judges and Oklahoma Supreme Court justices, on the other hand, are appointed by the governor from a list provided by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. Once appointed, these judges must be retained by voters in a retention election at the end of their initial term and every six years thereafter.
The Oklahoma State Court system also includes various other judicial officers, such as associate district judges, special judges, and magistrates. These officers may handle specific types of cases or assist with the workload of the court.
The Role of Juries in the Oklahoma State Court System