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The Guide to Oklahoma Courts


The Oklahoma trial court system consists of District Courts, Municipal Courts, The Workers' Compensation Court, The Court of Tax Review, and The Court on the Judiciary.
 
District Courts and Municipal Courts are the primary trial courts in Oklahoma. District Courts have general jurisdiction and handle most civil and criminal cases. Municipal Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of criminal cases. Oklahoma also has specialized courts that handle limited types of civil cases for the entire state, including The Court on the Judiciary, The Workers' Compensation Court and The Court of Tax Review.

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Please select a Oklahoma county below to view directory of all courts with links to court record resources for each court. Find Oklahoma court pages by Town or Zip Code. Select a court record or online resource category below to view all resources at both the statewide and county level. Go to the court records pages for another state.
 


 

Oklahoma District Courts

District Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, but typically handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

Each District Court has a Small Claims division that handles most general civil claims for less than $6000, exclusive of attorney fees and costs. The Small Claims Court handle most cases seeking money damages based on a contract or tort, the return of personal property valued at less than $6000, and interpleader when less than $6000 is in dispute. Certain types of parties, including collection agents, and certain types of claims against a city, county or state agency may not be heard in Small Claims Court.

District Courts may have specialized divisions for certain types of cases, including Business Court and Drug Courts. In counties with large populations, a Business Court division may exist to handle complex commercial cases. District Courts may have a Drug Court division and/or a Juvenile Drug Court division to handle some non-violent criminal cases where the defendant has a treatable condition or addiction.

The Court of Tax Review is a specialized panel that operates out of one office location and handles certain types of civil cases for the entire state.

District Courts have jurisdiction previously exercised by abolished Oklahoma courts as well as the civil jurisdiction formerly granted to Municipal Courts. Municipal Courts continue to exist in some cities and towns in Oklahoma, but Municipal Courts only handle certain types of criminal and traffic cases.

Oklahoma Municipal Courts

Municipal Courts handle most criminal and traffic cases based on violations of municipal ordinances, and some Municipal Courts also handle misdemeanor criminal cases.

There are two types of Municipal Courts, referred to as either "of record" or "not of record." Cases typically heard by Municipal Courts 'of record' include most violations of parking, traffic, criminal and environmental ordinances and some misdemeanor criminal cases. Cases heard by Municipal Courts 'not of record' are limited to violations of municipal ordinances.

Oklahoma The Workers' Compensation Court

The Workers' Compensation Court has limited jurisdiction over claims made pursuant to the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Act, including claims for compensation, the liability of employers and insurers, and any rights asserted under the Act.

Oklahoma The Court of Tax Review

The Court of Tax Review is a panel of District Court with limited and exclusive jurisdiction over certain cases related to ad valorem taxation.

The Court of Tax Review handles cases for the entire state from one office location.

Oklahoma The Court on the Judiciary

The Court on the Judiciary has a trial division with limited and exclusive jurisdiction over proceedings against judges for their removal or compulsory retirement from office.

Where to find court cases in Oklahoma

The chart below gives general information on the types of cases heard in each type of court in Oklahoma.
 

Most Cases = Most or all cases.     Some Cases = Some cases.

Case Type Court Type
CivilDistrict CourtsMunicipal Courts
General Civil - Unlimited
Most or all General Civil - Unlimited cases can be found in the District Courts
 
General Civil - Limited
Most or all General Civil - Limited cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Small Claims
Most or all Small Claims cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Civil Equity
Most or all Civil Equity cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Complex Commercial
Most or all Complex Commercial cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Foreclosures and Liens
Most or all Foreclosures and Liens cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Real Estate Title and Boundary
Most or all Real Estate Title and Boundary cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Landlord / Tenant
Most or all Landlord / Tenant cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Ordinance Violations
Some Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the District Courts
Most or all Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the Municipal Courts
Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders
Most or all Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Administrative Agency Appeals
Most or all Administrative Agency Appeals cases can be found in the District Courts
 
CriminalDistrict CourtsMunicipal Courts
Felony
Most or all Felony cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Felony Preliminary Hearings
Most or all Felony Preliminary Hearings cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Misdemeanors
Some Misdemeanors cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Misdemeanors cases can be found in the Municipal Courts
Ordinance Violations
Some Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the District Courts
Most or all Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the Municipal Courts
Juvenile
Most or all Juvenile cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Traffic and Infractions
Some Traffic and Infractions cases can be found in the District Courts
Most or all Traffic and Infractions cases can be found in the Municipal Courts
Domestic RelationsDistrict CourtsMunicipal Courts
Divorce
Most or all Divorce cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Child Custody and Visitation
Most or all Child Custody and Visitation cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Child Support
Most or all Child Support cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Paternity
Most or all Paternity cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Domestic Violence Protection Order
Most or all Domestic Violence Protection Order cases can be found in the District Courts
 
JuvenileDistrict CourtsMunicipal Courts
Adoptions
Most or all Adoptions cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Juvenile Delinquency
Most or all Juvenile Delinquency cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Child Abuse and Neglect
Most or all Child Abuse and Neglect cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Termination of Parental Rights
Most or all Termination of Parental Rights cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Children in Need of Supervision
Most or all Children in Need of Supervision cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Mental HealthDistrict CourtsMunicipal Courts
Involuntary Commitments
Most or all Involuntary Commitments cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Other Mental Health Cases
Most or all Other Mental Health Cases cases can be found in the District Courts
 
ProbateDistrict CourtsMunicipal Courts
Wills & Estates
Most or all Wills & Estates cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Name Changes
Most or all Name Changes cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Trusts
Most or all Trusts cases can be found in the District Courts
 
Guardianships and Conservatorships
Most or all Guardianships and Conservatorships cases can be found in the District Courts
 

Note: Some courts in Oklahoma are not included in the chart above. Please use the following links for descriptions and types of cases heard:
 
  The Workers\' Compensation Court  The Court of Tax Review  The Court on the Judiciary


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