Oklahoma Lets Cold Case Families Seek Independent Review
A new state law requires agencies to assign a fresh detective or bring in an outside agency when families request a review of unsolved cases.
Oklahoma Criminal Justice News
Criminal justice in Oklahoma runs on court activity, sentencing, prisons and reform, and coverage here follows all of it. Reporting takes in the legal system as it functions from the prosecution and bail process to trial outcomes.
Recent news
November 5, 2026
Pardoned Driver Seeks Expungement of Crash RecordJordan Powell, pardoned by Gov. Kevin Stitt earlier this year, has asked that his criminal record be sealed.
November 4, 2026
Oklahoma Voters Retain Nine Appellate JudgesVoters also filled three Tulsa County district judge seats in the November 3, 2026 election.
October 31, 2026
Oklahoma District Attorneys Association Honors Todd GollihareSenator Todd Gollihare receives the 2026 Heavy Hitter award for his contributions to public safety and justice.
October 30, 2026
Oklahoma Historical Society Archives Prison RecordsThe state archives now provide public access to approximately 400,000 inmate records from the state penitentiary.
October 30, 2026
Oklahoma Inmate Faces Illegal Voting ChargesSara Polston returned to prison after authorities revoked credits for voting while serving a sentence on an ankle monitor.
October 29, 2026
Governor Stitt Appoints Marion Fry to Appeals CourtOklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has named Judge Marion D. Fry to the state's Court of Criminal Appeals.
October 28, 2026
Wrongfully Convicted Oklahoma Man Glynn Simmons DiesGlynn Simmons, who served 48 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, has died at age 73.
October 27, 2026
Oklahoma Lawmakers Receive 2026 Bulldog AwardState legislators Warren Hamilton and Tim Turner are recognized for their recent contributions to public safety laws.
October 27, 2026
Oklahoma Approves Funds for Tribal Jurisdiction CaseThe state legislature allocates $500,000 for Tulsa County's legal battle against the Muscogee Nation.
October 26, 2026
Oklahoma to Allow Aggregated DUI Felony ChargesNew legislation enables prosecutors to combine multiple DUI violations from a one-year period into a single felony charge.
More in Criminal Justice
Coverage takes in judicial proceedings, sentencing practices, prison conditions and legislative reform bills. It reaches from the capital to the rural counties where legal oversight and facilities are spread thin. State statutes regarding bail and sentencing often determine how crowded jails become, creating a recurring pressure on the system. Case law developments and changes in administrative policy within state facilities are the two factors that most consistently shift the landscape of the justice system.