Tulsa County Criminal Court

Tulsa County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Tulsa County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Tulsa County.

Required Court Appearances in Tulsa County

Any required court appearances in Tulsa County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.

Who is the prosecutor for Tulsa County?

Depending upon the case, the prosecutor for Tulsa County criminal cases will either be a representative of Tulsa County or a representative from Oklahoma. After reviewing evidence it is the prosecutor’s decision whether to file charges or drop a case. Most prosecutors have the ability to negotiate plea bargains, and determine how the case will be prosecuted.

Tulsa County Criminal Court

Tulsa County Criminal Court

What if I can’t afford an attorney?

The 6th Amendment guarantees you the right to an attorney whether or not you can afford one. If you cannot afford one, a public defender will be appointed by the court to represent you.

I need help for my Tulsa County criminal case

The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Tulsa County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Tulsa County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.

Where will Tulsa County criminal case hearings take place?

Criminal cases will take place at the criminal courts of Tulsa County. See here for the location of the criminal courts in Tulsa County.

Burden of Proof

The burden of proof is always on the prosecution in a criminal trial. In other words, the prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense must only prove that there is a reasonable possibility that the defendant did NOT commit the crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury will be instructed to find the defendant not-guilty.

Plea Agreements

A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Tulsa County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.

What happens in Tulsa County at an arraignment?

In Tulsa County the defendant is brought into court and informed by the judge of the charges that have been filed against them along with informing them of their rights. At this time, the defendant can plead guilty, not guilty or no contest. If the defendant pleads guilty or no contest, there will be no trial and the defendant may be sentenced immediately or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty a trial date is set.

Jury Deliberation

In a jury trial in Tulsa County, after both the prosecution and defense have rested, the judge will give instructions to the jury and jury deliberations will begin. The jury will convence in a private room to discuss and deliberate the innocence or guilt of the defendant. Once the jury arrives at a unimanous decision, they will inform the judge that they have reached a decision. They will return to the court and the verdict will be read aloud. If the jury cannot reach a unaminous decision, the jury is said to be deadlocked and a mistrial will be declared in the case.

Jury by Trial Right

The US Constitution (Article 3 along with the 6th Amendment) ensures an accused defendant the right to a jury trial. This applies to crimes that have a $500 fine or a potential sentence of six months in jail (aka Serious Crimes). This right to trial by jury can also be waived by a defendant.

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

Sentencing in Tulsa County

In Tulsa County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.

Tulsa County Criminal Court Locations

  • Tulsa County District Court

    Address: 500 South Denver Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74103
    Phone: 918-596-5000 Fax: 918-596-5402

  • Tulsa County District Court – Juvenile Division

    Address: 315 South Gilcrease Museum Road, Tulsa, OK 74127
    Phone: 918-596-5971 Fax: 918-596-4523

  • Bixby Municipal Court

    Address: 116 West Needles Avenue, PO Box 70, Bixby, OK 74008
    Phone: 918-366-4430

  • Broken Arrow Municipal Court

    Address: 2304 South 1st Place, Broken Arrow, OK 74012
    Phone: 918-451-8558

  • Collinsville Municipal Court

    Address: 106 North 12th Street, PO Box 730, Collinsville, OK 74021
    Phone: 405-371-1010 Ext. 2022 Fax: 918-371-1019

  • Glenpool Municipal Court

    Address: 14526 South Elwood Avenue, Glenpool, OK 74033
    Phone: 918-322-5442 Fax: 918-322-5443

  • Jenks Municipal Court

    Address: 211 North Elm Street, Jenks, OK 74037
    Phone: 918-556-7409 Fax: 918-299-2011

  • Owasso Municipal Court

    Address: 111 North Main Street, PO Box 180, Owasso, OK 74055
    Phone: 918-376-1550 Fax: 918-376-1551

  • Sand Springs Municipal Court

    Address: 100 East Broadway Street, PO Box 338, Sand Springs, OK 74063
    Phone: 918-246-2530 Fax: 918-245-5046

  • Sperry Municipal Court

    Address: 115 North Cincinnati Avenue, Sperry, OK 74073
    Phone: 918-288-7056

  • Tulsa Municipal Court

    Address: 600 Civic Center, Tulsa, OK 74103
    Phone: 918-596-2100

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