Oklahoma Court Records Search

Oklahoma Court Records & Case Lookup

The Oklahoma judiciary presides over 500,000 cases annually. It includes over 190,000 incoming cases from civil lawsuits and about 144,000 cases from criminal legal proceedings. An estimated 50,000 cases of domestic relations disputes pass through the courts each year. The courts adjudicate over 8,000 juvenile cases yearly, while traffic-related lawsuits account for over 172,000 cases filed at the Oklahoma courts each year.

The Oklahoma Public Records Act permits government departments, bureaus, and commissions to grant the public the right to access, inspect, and copy all government records created, received, or kept by public bodies and officials. Consequently, court records maintained by the Oklahoma Judiciary are generally considered public information.

Although the state permits access to court records, some court documents are exempted from disclosure under the Act. These court records are excluded from the public to protect the privacy of the persons involved or to comply with state or federal laws. Per the Act, personal identifying information, juvenile records, and sealed or expunged court records are restricted from the public.

Oklahoma courts provide several ways residents may look up records from legal proceedings throughout the state. The state provides a central repository to access court records electronically. Also, each court maintains records of judicial proceedings within its jurisdiction and makes the record accessible through its record custodian.

State of Oklahoma Court System

The court system in Oklahoma comprises the appellate courts, the trial courts, and the specialty courts. The appellate courts in the state consist of the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Civil Appeals. The Supreme Court is the highest in the state, also called the court of last resort. It resolves matters involving disputes of constitutional issues and state laws. The Supreme Court, which oversees the Oklahoma court system, also hears appeals from the lower courts.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is the state's court of last resort for all criminal lawsuits. It is the first court to hear appeals for death sentence convictions. The Court of Civil Appeals is an intermediate appellate court that handles appeals from civil lawsuits. Created by the Supreme Court, it functions to help relieve the apex court in resolving civil disputes.

Oklahoma Trial Courts

Oklahoma trial courts are where all legal disputes are initially brought and adjudicated. The trial courts are responsible for hearing evidence, reviewing the facts of the case, applying the law, and issuing sentences or rulings. Oklahoma trial courts are courts of original jurisdiction. It is the starting point for all lawsuits before a case progresses to the higher courts for appeals. Oklahoma trial courts consist of the following:

District Courts in Oklahoma

Oklahoma District Courts have general jurisdiction over civil cases, including disputes between individuals and businesses, contract issues, property damage, and criminal cases such as felonies and misdemeanors. The court also presides over family law (divorce, child custody, and adoption), probate (wills, estate, and conservatorships), and juvenile (foster care placement, child abuse, and delinquency) matters. The District Court has a Small Claims Division that handles civil claims below $10,000. All 77 counties in Oklahoma have a District Court organized into 26 judicial districts.

Municipal Courts in Oklahoma

The Municipal Courts in Oklahoma preside over cases involving violations of local ordinances. Municipal Courts handle traffic violation cases, including speeding tickets and parking violations, and local ordinance violations, such as building code violations and zoning issues. The court also presides over minor criminal offenses, such as public intoxication and disorderly conduct.

Oklahoma Municipal Courts, also called City Courts, are organized into two types: Court of Records and Court of Not Records. The Courts of Records are found in larger Oklahoma cities. Appeals from this court go directly to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. The Court of Not Record operates in smaller cities. Appeals from this court require a new trial.

What are the Specialty Courts in Oklahoma?

Specialty courts, also called treatment courts in Oklahoma, are problem-solving courts tailored to address specific issues contributing to an individual's criminal behavior. Specialty courts focus on treating the root cause of criminal acts rather than incarceration to help reduce its recurrence. Oklahoma specialty courts use treatment and rehabilitation programs to address underlying problems such as mental health conditions or substance abuse. Oklahoma Treatment Courts include:

• Drug Courts
• Family Treatment Courts
• DUI Courts
• Veterans Treatment Courts
• Mental Health Courts
• Early Diversion Program
• Juvenile Diversion program
• Community Courts

Oklahoma State Court Records vs. Federal Court Records

State of Oklahoma court records and federal court records are documents from the courts detailing a legal proceeding and its outcome. However, both records differ in jurisdiction, method of accessing the records, and scope.

Oklahoma state court records preside over cases that deal with violation of state law such as misdemeanors, felonies under state law, contract disputes, probate, including estates and wills, family law, such as divorce, and traffic violation cases. Access to state court records is through a centralized repository provided by the state's judicial branch or a visit to the county courthouse.

Federal court records are documents from court proceedings governed by federal law. Federal crimes include drug trafficking, wire fraud, bankruptcy, disputes between states, and tax offenses. Federal court records contain information on complaints, filings, motions, and judgments for cases within the federal judicial system. Federal court records are available online and are readily accessible by anyone using the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER). Access to the records requires registration and fees. Oklahoma has three federal courts serving as the point of origin entry for federal lawsuits. They include:

• The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
• The United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
• The United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma

What Are Public and Non-Public Court Records in Oklahoma?

Public court records are documents from legal proceedings open to the general public for inspection and copying. Generally, most public court records are considered public records in Oklahoma. However, state law restricts certain court records from disclosure. Non-public court records are exempted from public access and typically require a court order to view the records. The following table simplifies what court records are public and non-public in Oklahoma:

How To Seal or Expunge Oklahoma Court Records

Section 22-18 of the Oklahoma Statute provides the legal basis and requirements to seal or expunge court records. To seal a court record means to hide the record, such that it becomes publicly inaccessible. Sealed records still exist and may still be accessed by law enforcement officers and some government agencies. Expungement on the converse, wipes the court record, as though the record never existed. Expunged court records are erased from all criminal history databases. Neither the courts nor law enforcement can access expunged court records.

Although state law permits the expungement of certain court records, not all criminal convictions are eligible for expunction in Oklahoma. The following offenses do not qualify for expungement:

• Aggravated assault and battery
• Aggravated assault and battery on a peace officer
• Shooting or poisoning with the intention to kill
• Murder in the first and second degree
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Child abuse
• Rape in the first and second degree
• Burglary
• Armed Robbery
• Arson in the first-degree
• Child pornography
• Aggravated trafficking

How To Expunge Court Records in Oklahoma

Expunging court records in Oklahoma requires the record holder to file a petition at the court location where the case was tried. Filing for expungement in Oklahoma, requires the record holder to fulfill certain requirements, including:

• The person was found not guilty in court
• The appellate court reversed the conviction and dismissed the charges
• The person's innocence was proven by a DNA test
• The person received a full pardon from the governor
• Arrest without charges or dismissed charges
• The person was charged with a misdemeanor or nonviolent felony offense and the charges were dismissed after completing a deferred judgment
• The person was convicted of a misdemeanor offense and there are no pending felony or misdemeanor charges
• The waiting period has elapsed. 5 years for misdemeanor and single nonviolent felony offenses. 10 years for multiple misdemeanor felonies. The waiting period starts after completing the sentence, probation, or parole.

Persons seeking to expunge their court records may file a petition at the District Court in the county where the case was handled. The petition must include the case information and reasons for requesting expungement. After the court filing, the petitioner must serve a copy of the petition to relevant parties, including the District Attorney, the OklahomaBureau of Investigation, prosecutors, and the arresting agency.

The court sets a date for a hearing to determine if expunging the record is in the public's best interest. Where the courts approve the expungement, all relevant agencies are notified, and the record is deleted from their databases.

How Do You Access State of Oklahoma Court Records?

Oklahoma court records are accessible online through a database provided by the state's judiciary. Alternatively, each District and Municipal Court in Oklahoma maintains records of all legal proceedings within its jurisdiction; these records are available at the clerk of court offices. Interested persons may access the court document at the courthouses or mail written requests to the record custodian.

Online Access to Oklahoma Court Records

The Oklahoma judiciary provides online access to court records through two main platforms. They are:

• Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN): The database provides free electronic access to court records from the Appellate and District Courts across most counties in Oklahoma. The platform offers access to case information on civil, criminal, probate, family law, and traffic lawsuits. Record seekers may also look up dockets, case updates, and filings via the web tool. Access to the record requires users to search the database by party name, case number, or by traffic citation number.
• On Demand Court Records (ODCR): The ODCR includes court records from all Oklahoma counties, including those not covered by the OSCN. The platform provides access to all Oklahoma court records, including records from the Municipal Courts. Record seekers may utilize the party name, case number, or filing date to search the database. Access to basic information on the platform is free. However, detailed court documents may require subscription and fees.

In-Person Access to State of Oklahoma Court Records

Oklahoma counties permit in-person access to court records at the courthouse. Persons seeking Oklahoma court records may contact the specific courthouse where the case was tried. Record seekers may use dedicated record request forms provided by the clerk of the court's office or submit written requests to obtain the record. Searchers may mail the request to the courthouse to receive copies of the court document.

Alternatively, most Oklahoma courts provide public access terminals at the courthouses to view court records. Record seekers may view the records at the courthouse at no cost. However, searchers may pay fees to print the court documents.

How To Request Judicial Administrative Records?

Judicial administrative records are records from the courts relating to the administration and operations of the courts. Judicial administrative records are documents from the court's daily operations rather than documents from legal proceedings. To request judicial administrative records, interested persons may fill out the Open Records Act Request form. Searchers may email the complete form or send the same by mail to:

How To Access Older and Archived Court Records in Oklahoma

Generally, older court records are unavailable using the state's online court databases. Usually, older court records are kept at the courthouse where the case was tried. Interested persons may visit the relevant District or Municipal Courts to retrieve older court records. Also, the state makes provisions to move older court records to the state's archives. Therefore, record seekers may access archived court records through the State Archives and Records Management Divisionof the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.