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Rule 4. Chief Judge

Oklahoma Statutes AnnotatedLocal District Court RulesEffective: June 12, 2018

Oklahoma Statutes Annotated
Local District Court Rules
Rules of the Seventh and Twenty-Sixth Administrative Districts [Oklahoma and Canadian Counties]
Effective: June 12, 2018
Okl.St.Ann. Rule 4
Rule 4. Chief Judge
Currentness
A. The Presiding Administrative Judge will designate a Chief Judge for the succeeding year on a monthly rotating schedule from among the district judges and for July and August on a weekly rotating schedule from among the district judges. In the event a judge is unable to serve as Chief Judge according to the rotating schedule, the Presiding Administrative Judge shall designate a replacement.
B. Notices showing the name of the Chief Judge shall be posted in conspicuous places in the Court Clerk's office, and such other places as directed by the Presiding Administrative Judge.
C. Should the Chief Judge find it necessary to be temporarily absent from the courthouse during normal business hours, or be temporarily unable to serve as Chief Judge, he or she shall arrange for another judge to handle the assignment during that time. The Presiding Administrative Judge shall designate a replacement should the Chief Judge fail to do so.
D. The Chief Judge shall handle the following matters:
1. Transfers of cases to and from the civil dockets assigned to District or Associate District Judges and the felony dockets.
2. Motions for recusal of assigned judge.
3. Applications for excuse from jury duty.
4. Election disputes requiring immediate action.
5. Upon a grand jury being called by the Presiding Judge, the Chief Judge shall have the responsibility to empanel and preside over the grand jury until it is dismissed, even though grand jury sessions may extend beyond the monthly term of that judge as Chief Judge.
6. May call for conference of judges on own initiative or upon the request for a meeting made by any other District Judge.
7. Any other matter directed to the Chief Judge by statute or rule.
E. The Chief Judge shall be in charge of the jury panel and with the assistance of the Court Administrator and the Jury Clerk, shall discharge and excuse those jurors not engaged when their services are no longer required.
F. The Chief Judge shall hear and decide all individual juror requests to be excused from jury duty prior to the juror being sent to a courtroom as part of a trial panel. Once a juror is assigned to a courtroom the judge presiding over the trial may permanently excuse the juror without consulting with the Chief Judge. If a juror is so released the Trial Administrator shall be notified.

Credits

[Adopted effective May 1, 2000. Amended effective May 15, 2007; April 1, 2010; June 12, 2018.]
Okl. St. Ann. Rule 4, OK ST T. Rule 4
Current with emergency effective legislation through Chapter 257 of the Second Regular Session of the 59th Legislature (2024). Some sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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