Tulsa District Courthouse

Tulsa County facilities will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021

Given the forecasted inclement weather and anticipated road conditions, the Board of County Commissioners is announcing that all County facilities, including the Courthouse, will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021.

In light of these closures, Tulsa County District Court Presiding Judge William LaFortune has announced individual judges may still conduct scheduled video hearings at their own discretion.

Facilities are expected to reopen for normal operations on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 8:00 a.m.

In consideration of the safety of its employees and all court participants, Tulsa County District Court will be closed Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The only exception will be the bond docket which will be conducted via video. All other hearings, including video hearings, are cancelled.
The decision to close is "based on the sub-zero temperatures and wind chills forecast for Tuesday morning, the threat of rolling blackouts and treacherous roadways" said Presiding Judge William LaFortune.

Message to Jurors Summoned to Tulsa County District Court:

You may receive a summons for jury service in the coming weeks. Jury service is a legal obligation as well as a civic duty. The services performed by jurors are as important and essential to the administration of justice as those performed by the judge and the attorneys. Your service is requested and needed; however, we understand that we find ourselves in unprecedented times. Local and county officials are taking all necessary precautions to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for those that visit the Tulsa County Courthouse.

However, no one can guarantee an environment without any risk of exposure. You may be an individual who is at higher risk due to pre-existing health conditions and/or advanced age, or you may live with someone in a higher risk category. If you feel that this applies to you, please call 1-855-316-4847 or go to https://juror.oscn.net and an excusal from jury service will be authorized if this presents undue physical hardship.

Your very important service is appreciated, and we will take all reasonable steps to reduce exposure to COVID19 at the Tulsa County Courthouse. Your safety, health, and peace of mind are most important to us.

eResponse - Log In

The Tulsa County District Court has postponed much of its activity on the misdemeanor docket until August 1, 2020, due
to an attorney testing positive for COVID-19, Presiding Judge William LaFortune announced today.

“Our primary focus is keeping both our staff and participants in the courts safe,” LaFortune said. “We felt like this action
was necessary and we will continue to closely monitor all of our courts.”

The attorney had appeared on the misdemeanor docket last week and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19. Once
the incident was reported, LaFortune ordered that a judge, a bailiff, and several court reporters who worked on the
misdemeanor docket at the same time of the attorney to go home for 14 days.

Anyone scheduled to appear on the misdemeanor docket in June or July will be given a date for a new appearance, likely
sometime in August. The new dates also should be available on OSCN. In addition, the court will make some additional
announcements concerning the docket in the upcoming days.

The move is just the latest series of changes in an effort to reduce the number of people in each courtroom, including
high-volume dockets such as criminal and small claims.

The Courthouse, Administration Building, and Annex Building (located at 3rd and Houston) will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2020, due to street closures and other security measures that will be implemented in preparation for President Trump’s visit. Normal business hours will resume at 8:00 am, Monday June 22, 2020.

Tulsa County District Court announced today that its small claims, exemptions from garnishments, and Forcible Entry and Detainer (FED) (aka Eviction) dockets will move temporarily on Monday, June 1, to the Tulsa County Family Juvenile Justice Center at 500 W. Archer St. to ensure adequate social distancing for judges, staff, and the public.

These dockets are among the most populated dockets in the courthouse. The docket will start Monday at the Juvenile Justice Center. However, filing of all cases on these dockets will remain at the second floor of the Courthouse at the court clerk's office.

More information: https://bit.ly/2TMShIe

www.tulsacounty.org

ATTENTION!


Those scheduled for the criminal, small claims, and traffic court dockets between May 18, 2020 and
May 29, 2020 do not need to appear. Your case will be moved to a different date sometime on or after
June 1, 2020. New dates will be posted on oscn.net. If you have an attorney, you also can contact
them for the new date. This is being done to reduce the number of people in the courthouse during
those dates.

In response to the expected influx of visitors to the Courthouse when the Tulsa County District Courts reopen on Monday, May 18, the BOCC has announced several new building access requirements that will be in place for an initial two week-period only (effective May 18 through May 29, 2020).

1. Masks Required to Enter. At the direction of the CDC; Dr. Bruce Dart, Director of the Tulsa Health Department; and the Oklahoma Supreme Court, everyone will be required to wear a mask when entering the Courthouse.

2. Plaza Entrance for Court Participants Only. Located on the north side of the Courthouse, the Plaza Entrance will be used exclusively for entrance by court participants, including attorneys, parties, victims, and witnesses. Family members or those not directly involved in a court proceeding will be prohibited from entering the Courthouse. Visitors will be required to discuss their court need with court staff located at the Plaza entrance before being allowed entrance into the Courthouse.

3.Denver Entrance for County Personnel and Citizens with County Business Only. The Denver Entrance, located on the east side of the Courthouse, will be used exclusively for entrance by County personnel and those citizens who need to conduct County-related business, including with the Court Clerk, County Assessor, County Treasurer, and County Clerk. Attorneys may also enter on the Denver side of the Courthouse if needed.

More info: https://bit.ly/2AqdlxA

www.tulsacounty.org

Administrative Order AO-2020-5, outlining Phase One of the Reopening Plan for Tulsa County District Court operations, has been posted to the Tulsa County District Court’s website (www.tulsacountydistrictcourt.org).

Tulsa County District Court Home

All jurors that were scheduled for jury duty on May 4, May 18, June 1, and June 15 have been excused from service. No further action on your part is required.

Per order of the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, SCAD NO. 2020-29, the Tulsa County Court Clerk’s office will be closed to the public with exceptions for emergencies as permitted by local order until further notice.

Issues of emergency guardianships should make contact with the Tulsa County Court Clerk Probate Division at 918-596-5439.

The Court Clerk is still available by phone and mail at:

Tulsa County Court Clerk
Suite 200
500 South Denver Ave
Tulsa, OK 74103

Should you need to contact any of the other Court Clerk Divisions they may be reached at:

Criminal Division: 918-596-5471
Cost Administration: 918-596-5461
Family Division: 918-596-5445
Civil Division: 918-596-5437
Juvenile Division: 918-596-5913
Small Claims Division: 918-596-5466
Probate Division: 918-596-5439
Imaging Division: 918-596-5486
General Office Number: 918-596-5420

The BOCC today renewed a March 18, 2020 resolution limiting access to the Tulsa County Courthouse to prevent further community spread of the COVID-19 virus. This renewed restriction will be in effect until midnight April 13, 2020, unless renewed by the BOCC during an open meeting.

With the renewal of the resolution, Tulsa County officials continue to urge the public to conduct its business over the phone, through email, or through postal mail.

Contact info for all Elected Offices and Departments: https://bit.ly/TCcontacts.

Tulsa County, Oklahoma Tulsa County Government Website

Presiding District Court Judge William LaFortune today released the third supplement to AO-2020-4, announcing that jury trials now set for April 20, 2020 and May 4, 2020 are cancelled. The amended order reads:

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the recent Executive Orders issued by the Governor of Oklahoma and the Mayor of the City of Tulsa, and after consultation with the Court’s Executive Committee, the District Court of Tulsa County hereby orders:

All jury trials now scheduled for April 20, 2020 and May 4, 2020 are hereby cancelled. Tulsa County citizens who have received a summons for April 20, 2020 are hereby excused from service. No summonses will be sent out for May 4, 2020.

Jury trials which were previously cancelled for March 30, 2020 and April 13, 2020, as well as jury trials now cancelled for April 20, 2020 and May 4, 2020, will be rescheduled by the specific judge on that specific docket when Court operations resume.

Presiding District Court Judge William LaFortune today released the following Second Supplemental Order to Administrative Order (AO -2020-4):

Juvenile Division dockets are formally closed until April 20, 2020 except for the following matters:

1. Detention hearings pursuant to specific procedures outlined by the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Division. No in person reporting shall be required. Written reports via email shall be sufficient.

2. Scheduling related to surrenders and hearings thereon shall be set thirty (30) days later.

3. Routine docketed matters for detained juveniles are suspended until April 20, 2020. Attorneys for juveniles who are detained may request an “emergency” setting, if necessary.

4. Detention visitation and interviews are discontinued, except reasonable telephonic visitation.

5. Show cause hearings pursuant to removal of children by DHS/CWS, pursuant to specific procedures outlined by the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Division. However, in person appearances shall be limited as much as possible, utilizing all legally permissible video and telephone conferencing protocols. Similar protocols shall apply to filing announcements. All other deprived child matters shall be set thirty (30) days from the date originally set, including adjudications, permanency hearings, safe baby court reviews, and family treatment court.

6. All INT matters shall be conducted in a similar manner as detention matters.

7. All adoption matters are continued thirty (30) days from the date originally set.

8. This second supplemental Administrative Order No. AO-2020-4 supersedes the “March 20, 2020 Procedures of Juvenile Division, Tulsa County District Court Implemented to Comply with the Oklahoma Supreme Court and Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals SCAD 2020-24, First Emergency Joint Order” issued previously by the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Division.

Presiding District Court Judge William LaFortune has issued an Administrative Order closing the courts until April 20, 2020 in light of COVID-19. Read the full details: https://bit.ly/AOTCCourts

www.tulsacounty.org

Updated Information on Filing and Granting Emergency Protective Orders During COVID-19 Epidemic from Presiding District Court Judge William LaFortune:

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic and the reduction in staff at the Family Safety Center the following procedure must be followed until further notice to obtain an Emergency Protective Order:

The victim of an assault covered by the Oklahoma Protection from Domestic Abuse Act must call their local law enforcement agency and request an officer to respond.

The officer will then determine whether the victim qualifies for an Emergency Protective Order under the Act; if so, the officer will assist the victim in completing the Petition. The officer will then call a judge for approval.

If an Emergency Protective Order is granted by the judge, the victim will be given a copy of the Petition and the Order and the officer will begin the process of having the defendant served with copies. Once served, the defendant must remain away from the victim or risk arrest.

The victim will be given a date to appear in approximately 30 days at the Family Safety Center at the Police Department downtown.

The victim must appear at the Family Safety Center on the date indicated by the Order or the Emergency Protective Order will expire.

If a victim has questions, he/she may call the Family Safety Center at 918-742-7480.

IMPORTANT UPDATED DISTRICT COURT INFORMATION

Supreme Court of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Court of Appeals Issue Emergency Joint Order Regarding COVID-19 State of Disaster

Presiding District Court Judge William LaFortune has requested the release to Tulsa County citizens of this March 16, 2020 Joint Order of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals:

1. Governor J. Kevin Stitt issued Executive Order 2020-07 on March 15, 2020, declaring an emergency in all 77 Oklahoma Counties caused by the impending threat of COVID-19 to the people of the state. This joint order is issued to clarify the procedures to be followed in all Oklahoma district courts and to encourage social distancing and to avoid risks to judges, court clerks, court employees and the public.

2. All district courts in Oklahoma shall immediately cancel all jury terms for the next 30 days and release jurors from service. No additional jurors shall be summoned without approval of the Chief Justice. All civil, criminal and juvenile jury trials shall be continued to the next available jury dockets.

3. Subject only to constitutional limitations, all deadlines and procedures whether prescribed by statute, rule or order in any civil, juvenile or criminal case, shall be suspended for 30 days from the date of this. order. This suspension also applies to appellate rules and procedures for the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Civil Appeals.

4. In any civil case, the statute of limitations shall be extended for 30 days from the date of this order.

5. Subject only to constitutional limitations, assigned judges should reschedule all non-jury trial settings, hearings, and pretrial settings. Emergency matters, arraignments, bond hearings, and required proceedings of any kind shall be handled on a case by case basis by the assigned judge. Judges shall use remote participation to the extent possible by use of telephone conferencing, video conferencing pursuant to Rule 34 of the Rules for District Courts, or other means. The use of email, fax and drop boxes for acceptance of written materials is encouraged, except that the use of email may not be used for appellate filings at this time. If any party or counsel objects to a continuance of any matter, assigned judges are encouraged to hold hearings in the same manner as emergency matters.

6. The following persons are prohibited from entering any courtroom, court clerk's office, judges' offices, jury room or other facility used by the district courts
a. Persons who have been diagnosed with or have direct contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19.
b. Persons with symptoms such as fever, severe cough, or shortness of breath.
c. Persons who have traveled to any country outside of the U.S. in the past 14 days, and those with whom they live or have had close contact.
d. Persons who are quarantined or isolated by any doctor or who voluntarily quarantine.
e. If you are in one of these categories (a-d) and are scheduled for a court appearance or are seeking emergency relief, contact your attorney, and if you have no attorney, call the court clerk's office in the county where you are required to appear.

7. All courts may limit the number of persons who may enter any courtroom, judges' or clerk's office, jury room or any other facility used by the district courts.

8. This order is subject to extension or modification as necessitated by this emergency.
# # #

UPDATE:
In a continuing effort to help curb the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Presiding Judge William D. LaFortune approves additional temporary measures:

Forcible Entry and Detainer dockets are suspended for the weeks of March 16 and March 23, 2020. All FED cases which were set on these suspended dockets are hereby reset for the same day of the week, at the same time, exactly two (2) weeks later.

For additional information, contact the Court Administrator at 918-596-5400.

Long post, but stay with us please!

In an effort to help curb the potential spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Presiding District Judge William D. LaFortune approves the following temporary measures affecting the work of the Tulsa County District Court:

All Civil Division dockets will be suspended for the weeks of March 16 and March 23, 2020, with the exception of forcible entry and detainer matters, civil mental health matters, and emergency temporary restraining orders;

All Criminal Division dockets will continue to operate as scheduled;

All Family Division dockets will be suspended for the weeks of March 16 and March 23, 2020, with the exception of emergency custody hearings and the protective order docket;

All Juvenile Division docket matters will continue to operate as scheduled;

All Probate Division docket matters will be suspended for the weeks of March 16 and March 23, 2020, with the exception of emergency guardianship matters and other emergency hearings;

All cases which were set on the suspended dockets are hereby reset for the same day of the week, at the same time, exactly two (2) weeks later;

All Judges and judicial staff should go to work as normal;

Judges who preside over dockets that remain open should continue to use their discretion in granting continuances requested for reasons related to public health. Those Judges should be especially cognizant of persons who fall into the following categories:

Persons who have been diagnosed with, or have had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with, coronavirus,

Persons with apparent symptoms of coronavirus, such as fever, severe cough, or shortness of breath,

Persons who have been asked to self-quarantine by any doctor, hospital, board of health, or other medical provider, or health agency, or who reside with anyone who has been asked to self-quarantine,

Persons whom have travelled to the following countries within the last fourteen (14) days: China, Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea.

“As Presiding Judge, I am requesting all attorneys and parties who may fall into any of these categories, and who have cases on the open dockets, to call the specific Judge`s chambers and request a new court date as necessary,” Judge LaFortune said.

For further information, contact the Court Administrator at 918-596-5400.

March 30 and April 13 JURY TRIALS CANCELLED: In the interest of public health and safety, Tulsa County Presiding District Judge William LaFortune has announced that all jury trials previously set for the dates of March 30 and April 13, 2020 are now cancelled.

If you received a summons to appear for jury service on those dates, you are excused. There is no need to contact the Tulsa County Jury Clerk’s Office if you were summoned on those days.

Judge LaFortune continues to closely monitor all issues relating to court operations.

The Tulsa County District Courthouse will be opening at 10:30 this morning.