Oklahoma Supreme Court Decisions

Oklahoma is one of only two states that have divided the highest court into civil and criminal branches. The Oklahoma Supreme Court is the highest court in the state for civil matters, while the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals holds exclusive appellate jurisdiction over criminal cases under the Oklahoma Constitution. The Oklahoma Supreme Court has the authority to decide which court should hear an appeal if there is any uncertainty. Nine justices serve on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, while five justices serve on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. The state legislature can change the size of the Court of Criminal Appeals but cannot change the size of the Supreme Court, which is set by the Oklahoma Constitution.

Both courts use an assisted appointment process for selecting justices, who serve six-year terms. Under Article VII of the Oklahoma Constitution, a candidate for justice must submit their name to the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. The Commission will provide the names of three candidates to the Governor of Oklahoma. Once the Governor chooses a justice, they will serve until the next general election, when they must win a retention election. The Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court will choose a candidate if the Governor does not make a decision within 60 days. The presiding judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals serves a two-year term and is selected by a vote of the other justices.

To be eligible to serve on the Supreme Court or the Court of Criminal Appeals, a candidate must be at least 30 years old and must have been a licensed practicing attorney or judge in Oklahoma for at least five years. They also must have been a registered voter in the judicial district that they represent for at least one year before pursuing this position. An active justice must maintain their certification as an attorney or judge throughout their tenure.

Browse Opinions From the Oklahoma Supreme Court
Recent Decisions From the Oklahoma Supreme Court
IN RE: AMENDMENT TO RULE 1.33 OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT RULES
Date: June 9, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 41
IN THE MATTER OF THE STRIKING OF NAMES OF MEMBERS OF THE OBA
Date: June 2, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 37
Docket Number: SCBD-7678
IN THE MATTER OF THE STRIKING OF NAMES OF MEMBERS OF THE OBA
Date: June 2, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 38
Docket Number: SCBD-7679
IN THE MATTER OF THE SUSPENSION OF MEMBERS OF THE OBA
Date: June 2, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 39
Docket Number: SCBD-7905
IN THE MATTER OF THE SUSPENSION OF MEMBERS OF THE OBA
Date: June 2, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 40
Docket Number: SCBD-7906
Flintco, LLC v Total Installation Management Specialists, Inc.  
Date: May 28, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 35
Docket Number: 120110

Justia Opinion Summary: A contractor, Flintco, LLC, entered into a subcontract with Total Installation Management Specialists, Inc. (Total) for flooring work on a construction project at Oklahoma State University. Total was required to secure a…

Oklahoma State Department of Health v Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority  
Date: May 28, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 36
Docket Numbers: 122524, 122775

Justia Opinion Summary: The Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Authority (OCCJA) filed a petition in the District Court of Oklahoma County seeking a writ of mandamus and an injunction against the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) to…

Bailey v State of Oklahoma ex rel. Service Oklahoma  
Date: May 28, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 34
Docket Number: 122782

Justia Opinion Summary: Treyton Bailey was stopped for a traffic violation and subsequently arrested for suspicion of DUI after officers observed signs of impairment. Although Bailey consented to a blood test, the result was excluded due to a…

Revocation of Credentials of Certified and Registered Courtroom Interpreters
Date: May 12, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 31
REINSTATEMENT OF CREDENTIALS OF CERTIFIED AND REGISTERED COURTROOM INTERPRETERS
Date: May 12, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 32
Lunn v. Continental Motors, Inc.  
Date: April 29, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 29
Docket Number: 121752

Justia Opinion Summary: William D. Lunn, individually and as the representative of the estates of his three deceased children, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Continental Motors, Inc. (CMI) in October 2009, alleging a design defect…

OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION v BOYD
Date: April 29, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 30
RE: Revocation of Certificates of Certified Shorthand Reporters
Date: April 28, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 27
RE: Reinstatement of Certificates of Certified Shorthand Reporters
Date: April 28, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 28
COUCH v STATEOF OKLAHOMA ex rel. DEPT. OF PUBLIC SAFETY  
Date: April 22, 2025
 Citation: 2025 OK 26
Docket Number: 121845

Justia Opinion Summary: Christopher Couch was stopped by an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper for a tag light violation. The trooper observed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol, and administered field…

The opinions published on Justia State Caselaw are sourced from individual state court sites. These court opinions may not be the official published versions, and you should check your local court rules before citing to them. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site, or the information linked to on the state site.

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.