Judiciary of Oklahoma
[1][2] The two Courts of Last Resort arrangement exists only in Oklahoma and neighboring Texas.
[1][2] The two Courts of Last Resort arrangement exists only in Oklahoma and neighboring Texas.
[3] Five of the nine justices are required to affirm, modify, or overturn any ruling of any lower court.
Once published, the opinion becomes the controlling factor in the state’s law surrounding the issue(s) it addresses.
Like the justices of the Supreme Court, the judges serve for life but must stand for election every six years to retain their position.
When a case is brought before the Supreme Court, the justices may choose to send the case to one of the four divisions of the Civil Court of Appeals, of which two are located in Tulsa and two in Oklahoma City.
[4] Each division of the court has three judges; they are appointed for life, but they must stand for election every six years to retain their positions.
Two of the three judges may choose to reaffirm, modify, or overturn any ruling of any lower court.
The backbone of the Oklahoma judiciary, the district courts, have general jurisdiction over almost all civil and criminal matters within their sphere of influence.
In the event of a vacancy in any of the district courts, the governor appoints a judge to serve until the next election.
A special judge may be appointed to assist in the event of a heavy caseload.
[12][13] The Oklahoma Court of Tax Review is a special court in the Oklahoma judiciary charged with hearing disputes involving illegal taxes levied by county and city governments.
Forced retirement may occur if the court finds the judge in question to be mentally or physically incapable to perform his job.
It the complaint is approved, the case is heard by the Trial Division of the Court.
[18] There are no appeals from the Appellate Division’s decisions, and not even the Oklahoma Supreme Court may change its rulings.
Impeachment charges are brought by the House of Representatives, and they are heard by the Senate, with the Chief Justice of Oklahoma presiding, unless the Chief Justice or any member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court is charged, in which case the Senate shall select one of its own members to preside.
[20] Impeachment charges may only be brought against the Governor and all other statewide elected state officials (including the Oklahoma Supreme Court Justices) for willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, habitual drunkenness, incompetency, or any offense involving moral turpitude committed while in office.
