{"id":16333,"date":"2023-12-04T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norwoodlegal.com\/?p=16333"},"modified":"2023-12-04T09:38:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T15:38:05","slug":"in-the-courtroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/norwoodlegal.com\/in-the-courtroom\/","title":{"rendered":"A bribery scandal led to Oklahoma\u2019s modern court system"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
By G.W. Schulz<\/p>
The Oklahoma system of courts owes its current composition in part to a corruption scandal that took place during the 1960s. Three justices on the Oklahoma Supreme Court were accused of accepting bribes for over 20 years in exchange for favorable rulings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u201cThe scandal had a depressing effect on the judiciary and the practice of law in Oklahoma,\u201d writes the Oklahoma Bar Association about the affair. \u201cTime magazine called the scandal one of the worst in American history and referred to the quality of justice in Oklahoma as \u2018the best money can buy.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p> Reforms were instituted by Oklahoma voters in the scandal\u2019s wake. County courts and the so-called \u201cjustice of the peace\u201d system were abolished. Civil and criminal cases are today adjudicated by district courts. Unexpected vacancies are filled by the governor, but district judges are otherwise elected by the people every four years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Appeals are handled by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, and the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Judges from each of these non-district courts are appointed by the governor who chooses from a short list compiled by the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. These judges must then be voted for retention by the people every six years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p> What else should Oklahomans know about how their courts operate? Keep reading to learn more.<\/span><\/p> Are you tied up in a legal dispute? Is the government accusing you of a crime? If so, trust Norwood.Law to be your advocate and tell your side of the story. We practice criminal defense, personal injury, family, business law, and more. Need help with a will, trust, or estate? We do those, too. When the time comes that you need our help, visit Norwood.Law online or call us for a free consultation at 918-582-6464.<\/span><\/p>