Oklahoma

Judge displayed photos of male lawyers in hot pink chairs, exchanged 500-plus texts during murder trial, petition says

Updated: A judge should be removed from office for exchanging more than 500 texts with a bailiff during a murder trial in which she mocked participant appearances and “displayed gross partiality,” according to a disciplinary petition filed by Oklahoma’s chief justice.

Oct 12, 2023 11:47 AM CDT

‘Congenial’ and ‘reasonable’ judge tells police he doesn’t remember alleged shooting spree

A judge in Garfield County, Oklahoma, has stopped hearing cases after his arrest in an alleged shooting spree and road-rage incident in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 11.

Sep 25, 2023 9:40 AM CDT

Federal prosecutor’s office in rural Oklahoma struggles to hire attorneys for spiking caseloads

The U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma is struggling to hire lawyers after obtaining funding to ramp up from eight criminal prosecutors to 159 employees.

Sep 21, 2023 12:42 PM CDT

Judge checked Facebook and texted during murder trial, courtroom video shows

Courtroom surveillance video leaked to the Oklahoman shows a judge scrolling through Facebook and texting on her cellphone while presiding in a murder trial.

Jul 24, 2023 11:40 AM CDT

Sexual relationship between judge and prosecutor entitles murder defendant to new trial, court rules

The top criminal court in Oklahoma has ruled that a defendant convicted of murder in 2021 is entitled to a new trial because the judge and one of the prosecutors had a prior sexual relationship.

Jul 18, 2023 1:11 PM CDT

3 justices on this state’s top court targeted after deadlock prevents abortion ban from taking effect

Three justices on the Iowa Supreme Court who voted against reviving an abortion ban are being targeted by the leader of a Christian conservative group.

Jun 20, 2023 9:53 AM CDT

Weekly Briefs: ‘Zero matrimonial knowledge’ judge gets reprimand; judge adopts AI policy

Judge sanctioned after disclaiming family law knowledge The New Jersey Supreme Court publicly reprimanded Judge Michael J. Kassel of the Camden County Superior Court in New Jersey on Wednesday for telling litigants that he was unfamiliar with their cases and with matrimonial law. In one case, he said he has…

Jun 2, 2023 3:16 PM CDT

The public defender approach to personal life

I started my legal career in the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office. During one of my 1L first-semester classes, the Oklahoma County public defender and the Oklahoma County district attorney spoke with my section. They conveyed the opportunities available in their offices and explained the application process. I knew from the beginning of law school that I wanted to practice criminal defense, so I showed up at the PD’s office the next day. The intern coordinator kindly told me to wait until I had at least finished my first round of final exams.

May 10, 2023 2:52 PM CDT

Supreme Court stays execution of inmate who won support from Oklahoma AG

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday stayed the execution of an Oklahoma inmate after the state attorney general said he supported vacating the conviction.

May 8, 2023 9:55 AM CDT

State constitution protects right to abortion to protect life of mother, top Oklahoma court rules

Women in Oklahoma have a state constitutional right to an abortion when needed to save their lives, the Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled.

Mar 22, 2023 3:09 PM CDT

Restaurant had no liability for death of patron who was overserved, challenged to drive in bet, state supreme court says

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled that a restaurant in Weatherford, Oklahoma, was not liable for the death of a patron in a lawsuit claiming that he was served 12 beers and five tequila shots before getting behind the wheel of his car in an attempt to collect on a bet.

Feb 21, 2023 9:16 AM CST

Judge displayed photos of male lawyers in hot pink chairs, exchanged 500-plus texts during murder trial, petition says

‘Congenial’ and ‘reasonable’ judge tells police he doesn’t remember alleged shooting spree

Federal prosecutor’s office in rural Oklahoma struggles to hire attorneys for spiking caseloads

Judge checked Facebook and texted during murder trial, courtroom video shows

Sexual relationship between judge and prosecutor entitles murder defendant to new trial, court rules

3 justices on this state’s top court targeted after deadlock prevents abortion ban from taking effect

Weekly Briefs: ‘Zero matrimonial knowledge’ judge gets reprimand; judge adopts AI policy

The public defender approach to personal life

Supreme Court stays execution of inmate who won support from Oklahoma AG

State constitution protects right to abortion to protect life of mother, top Oklahoma court rules

Restaurant had no liability for death of patron who was overserved, challenged to drive in bet, state supreme court says

‘Tulsa King’ and a look at organized crime

Former BigLaw associate gets suspension for inflating time spent on document review project

Relax with our favorite long reads of 2022

Poll: Which ABA Journal magazine cover from 2022 was your favorite?

Topics: Career & Practice

Trump's election sparks fight over judicial retirements, new judgeships

Your Voice

We should focus on—and invest in—AI that serves people without lawyers

Podcasts

Tune in to our favorite podcasts of 2024

Oklahoma

Most Read

Topics: Career & Practice

Your Voice

Podcasts