A. Except as otherwise provided by law, if a child is charged with a delinquent act as a result of an offense which would be a felony if committed by an adult, the court on its own motion or at the request of the district attorney shall conduct a preliminary hearing to determine whether or not there is prosecutive merit to the complaint. If the court finds that prosecutive merit exists, it shall continue the hearing for a sufficient period of time to conduct an investigation and further hearing to determine if the child should be held accountable for acts of the child as if the child were an adult if the child should be found to have committed the alleged act or omission.
Consideration shall be given to:
1. The seriousness of the alleged offense to the community, and whether the alleged offense was committed in an aggressive, violent, premeditated or willful manner;
2. Whether the offense was against persons or property, greater weight being given to transferring the accused person to the adult criminal justice system for offenses against persons and, if personal injury resulted, the degree of personal injury;
3. The sophistication and maturity of the juvenile and capability of the juvenile of distinguishing right from wrong as determined by consideration of a psychological evaluation of the juvenile, home, environmental situation, emotional attitude and pattern of living;
4. The record and previous history of the accused person, including previous contacts with community agencies, law enforcement agencies, schools, juvenile or criminal courts and other jurisdictions, prior periods of probation or prior commitments to juvenile institutions;
5. The prospects for adequate protection of the public;
6. The likelihood of reasonable rehabilitation of the juvenile if the juvenile is found to have committed the alleged offense, by the use of procedures and facilities currently available to the juvenile court; and
7. Whether the offense occurred while the juvenile was escaping or in an escape status from an institution for delinquent children.
After the investigation and hearing, the court may in its discretion proceed with the juvenile proceeding, or it shall state its reasons in writing and shall certify, based on clear and convincing evidence, that the child shall be held accountable for acts of the child as if the child were an adult and shall be held for proper criminal proceedings for the specific offense charged, by any other division of the court which would have trial jurisdiction of the offense if committed by an adult. The juvenile proceeding shall not be dismissed until the criminal proceeding has commenced and if no criminal proceeding commences within thirty (30) days of the date of the certification, unless stayed pending appeal, the court shall proceed with the juvenile proceeding and the certification shall lapse.
If not included in the original summons, notice of a hearing to consider whether a child should be certified for trial as an adult shall be given to all persons who are required to be served with a summons at the commencement of a juvenile proceeding, but publication in a newspaper when the address of a person is unknown is not required. The purpose of the hearing shall be clearly stated in the notice.
B. Prior to the entry of any order of certification, any child in custody shall have the same right to be released upon bail as would an adult under the same circumstances. Subsequent to the entry of an order that a child stand trial as an adult, the child shall have all the statutory and constitutional rights and protections of an adult accused of a crime. Upon conviction, the juvenile may be incarcerated in an adult jail, adult lockup, adult detention facility or other adult facility if that facility is licensed by the State Department of Health to detain children under eighteen (18) years of age while the person is awaiting housing by the Department of Corrections. If, prior to the entry of any order of certification, the child becomes eighteen (18) years of age, the child may be detained in a county jail or released on bail. If a child is certified to stand trial as an adult, the court shall make every effort to avoid duplication of the adult preliminary hearing and the prosecutorial hearing in the juvenile certification process. The parties may jointly stipulate to the court that the record for the prosecutorial merit hearing in the juvenile proceeding be used for all or part of the preliminary hearing.
C. Any child who has been certified to stand trial as an adult pursuant to any order entered by any competent court of this state or any other state shall be tried as an adult in all subsequent criminal prosecutions, and shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court or be eligible to be tried as a youthful offender in any further proceedings.
D. An order either certifying a person as a child or an adult pursuant to subsection A of this section or denying such certification shall be a final order, appealable when entered and shall not be modified.
Added by Laws 1968, c. 282, § 112, eff. Jan. 13, 1969. Amended by Laws 1973, c. 227, § 1, emerg. eff. May 24, 1973; Laws 1974, c. 272, § 2, emerg. eff. May 29, 1974; Laws 1977, c. 79, § 2; Laws 1978, c. 231, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 1978; Laws 1979, c. 257, § 4, eff. Oct. 1, 1979; Laws 1981, c. 141, § 1; Laws 1988, c. 76, § 2, emerg. eff. March 25, 1988; Laws 1989, c. 363, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 1989; Laws 1993, c. 342, § 7, eff. July 1, 1993; Laws 1994, c. 290, § 39, eff. July 1, 1994; Laws 1995, c. 352, § 126, eff. July 1, 1995. Renumbered from § 1112 of Title 10 by Laws 1995, c. 352, § 199, eff. July 1, 1995. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 293, § 17, eff. July 1, 1997; Laws 2004, c. 75, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2004; Laws 2009, c. 234, § 49, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009. Renumbered from § 7303-4.3 of Title 10 by Laws 2009, c. 234, § 180, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009. Amended by Laws 2021, c. 432, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.
NOTE: Laws 1974, c. 35, § 1 repealed by Laws 1974, c. 272, § 3, emerg. eff. May 29, 1974.
Structure Oklahoma Statutes
Title 10A. Children and Juvenile Code
§10A-1-1-101. Short title - Subsequent enactments - Article, chapter and part captions.
§10A-1-1-102. Recognition of duties, rights and interests – Legislative intent.
§10A-1-1-104. Jurisdiction to enforce Oklahoma Children's Code.
§10A-1-2-102. See the following versions:
§10A-1-2-102v1. Department of Human Services – Required actions for reports of child abuse.
§10A-1-2-103. Judicial authority to request investigation.
§10A-1-2-104. Immunity from civil and criminal liability - Presumption.
§10A-1-2-106. Notice to person being investigated.
§10A-1-2-107. Disclosure of information.
§10A-1-2-108. Central registry for child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and neglect.
§10A-1-2-110. Abandonment of child in voluntary placement.
§10A-1-2-111. Pilot program to improve socioeconomic outcomes for children in state custody.
§10A-1-3-101. Authorization to consent to medical or dental care.
§10A-1-3-102. Medical care and treatment – Definitions – Authorization and consent.
§10A-1-3-104. Safety plan monitor – Authorization of medical or dental treatment.
§10A-1-4-101. Jurisdiction – Venue – Residence of child – Transfer of proceedings.
§10A-1-4-202. Written notification of emergency custody hearing.
§10A-1-4-203. Emergency custody hearing – Affidavit – Notice to relatives.
§10A-1-4-204. Placement preferences.
§10A-1-4-206. Restraining order - Hearing.
§10A-1-4-207. Immediate assumption of custody to protect child's health or welfare.
§10A-1-4-208. Standardized assessment for children taken into custody.
§10A-1-4-302. Amendment of petition – Postadjudication petition.
§10A-1-4-303. Summons - Contents – Waiver of service.
§10A-1-4-304. Service of summons.
§10A-1-4-306. Appointment of counsel - Guardians ad litem - Court-appointed special advocates.
§10A-1-4-501. District attorney to act as petitioner.
§10A-1-4-503. Conduct of hearings.
§10A-1-4-504. Alternative dispute resolution.
§10A-1-4-505. Admissibility of prerecorded statements of child who is victim of abuse.
§10A-1-4-506. Taking testimony of child age 12 or under in room other than courtroom - Recording.
§10A-1-4-507. Admissibility of evidence.
§10A-1-4-508. Immunity for testimony – Records – Statements during evaluation or treatment.
§10A-1-4-601. Adjudication hearing.
§10A-1-4-602. Allegations of petition not supported by evidence.
§10A-1-4-603. Order of adjudication finding child to be deprived.
§10A-1-4-701. Reimbursements and costs by parents able to pay.
§10A-1-4-702. Deprived child - Paternity - Support.
§10A-1-4-703. Examination of child – Investigation of home conditions.
§10A-1-4-704. Individualized service plan.
§10A-1-4-706. Dispositional hearing.
§10A-1-4-707. Dispositional orders - Determinations.
§10A-1-4-708. Deprivation based on repeated absence from school.
§10A-1-4-709. Permanent guardianship.
§10A-1-4-711. Motion for modification or termination of a permanent guardianship.
§10A-1-4-712. Authority to establish family drug court – Procedures.
§10A-1-4-713. Family drug court assessment.
§10A-1-4-714. Family drug court program eligibility.
§10A-1-4-715. Family drug court judge - Powers.
§10A-1-4-716. Family drug court costs – Family Drug Court Revolving Fund.
§10A-1-4-801. Stay pending review of release order.
§10A-1-4-802. Hearing to determine release of child from state custody.
§10A-1-4-803. Placement of child in the custody of the Department of Human Services.
§10A-1-4-804. Notification of movement of child in the custody of Department of Human Services.
§10A-1-4-805. Change in foster or group home placement.
§10A-1-4-806. Trial home reunification.
§10A-1-4-807.1. Emergency hearings.
§10A-1-4-808. Review hearing report - Child's access to counsel.
§10A-1-4-809. Findings establishing that reasonable efforts to reunify child are not required.
§10A-1-4-810. Permanency meeting and reports.
§10A-1-4-811. Permanency hearing and findings.
§10A-1-4-812. Determination of eligibility of foster parent to adopt.
§10A-1-4-813. Postadoption agreements with birth relatives.
§10A-1-4-814. Modification of decrees or orders.
§10A-1-4-901. Filing of petition or motion for termination of parental rights.
§10A-1-4-902. Termination motion or petition by district attorney.
§10A-1-4-903. Order to terminate parent-child legal relationship – Show cause.
§10A-1-4-904. Termination of parental rights in certain situations.
§10A-1-4-905. Notice of hearing to terminate parental rights.
§10A-1-4-906. Effect of termination of parental rights.
§10A-1-4-907. Vesting authority to consent to adoption.
§10A-1-4-909. Application by child to reinstate parental rights.
§10A-1-5-101. Appeal of order or decree.
§10A-1-5-102. Initial of child's surname required in court opinions.
§10A-1-6-101. Court to make and keep records - Definitions.
§10A-1-6-102. Confidential records.
§10A-1-6-103. Inspection of records without court order.
§10A-1-6-104. Redaction of other children's information.
§10A-1-6-105. Disclosure of certain information in cases of death or near-death of a child
§10A-1-6-106. Filing of social records with the court.
§10A-1-6-107. Confidentiality - Violation - Penalty.
§10A-1-6-108. Maintenance of records.
§10A-1-7-101. Duties and rights of persons or agencies receiving custody - Exception.
§10A-1-7-102. Responsibility for deprived children.
§10A-1-7-103. Department of Human Services - Additional duties and powers.
§10A-1-7-104. Information to accompany child placed outside child's home – Passport Program.
§10A-1-7-105. Rules, policies and procedures regarding children in Department custody.
§10A-1-7-106. Placement of child into foster care.
§10A-1-7-107. Placement with siblings – Contact and visitation with siblings.
§10A-1-7-108. Liability for costs voluntarily expended by foster parent.
§10A-1-7-109. Foster placements - License or authorization - Exception.
§10A-1-7-110. Grounds for determination of placement.
§10A-1-7-112. Voluntary foster care placement.
§10A-1-7-113. Visitation requirements for the Department of Human Services or child-placing agency.
§10A-1-7-114. Foster parent eligibility assessment – Completion and costs - Reimbursement.
§10A-1-7-115. Emergency placement home - Criminal records check.
§10A-1-7-116. Notice to placement agencies when a child in custody becomes eligible for adoption.
§10A-1-8-104. Mileage fees and witness reimbursement.
§10A-1-8-106. Applicability of the Oklahoma Minor Identification Act.
§10A-1-8-107. Order for transportation of child by sheriff's office - Reimbursement.
§10A-1-8-108. Appointment of legal guardian – Appointment of guardian ad litem.
§10A-1-8-110. Falsification of documents relating to deprived children proceedings - Penalties.
§10A-1-8-111. Annual credit report for youth in custody.
§10A-1-9-101. Community-based programs.
§10A-1-9-102. Multidisciplinary teams - Intervention in reports of abuse or neglect - Duties.
§10A-1-9-103. Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Account.
§10A-1-9-103a. Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team Account (CAMTA) Fund.
§10A-1-9-103b. CAMTA Fund – Administration – Purpose - Contents of Fund.
§10A-1-9-104. Allocation of monies in Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Account.
§10A-1-9-104a. Contract with eligible providers.
§10A-1-9-104b. Promulgation of rules.
§10A-1-9-105. Program planning and monitoring.
§10A-1-9-106. Kinship Foster Care Program.
§10A-1-9-107. Successful Adulthood Act - Short title - Purpose.
§10A-1-9-108. Pilot program to serve children at high risk of abuse and neglect.
§10A-1-9-109. Performance-based incentive compensation program for child welfare specialists.
§10A-1-9-110. Community-based services and care for deprived children - Grants and contracts.
§10A-1-9-111. Management, operation and use of children’s shelters.
§10A-1-9-112.1. Investigation of reported abuse or neglect - Written response.
§10A-1-9-112. Office of Client Advocacy.
§10A-1-9-113. Provision of shelter and care to minor mothers who are victims of domestic abuse.
§10A-1-9-115. Foster parent associations - State agencies to cooperate and promote development.
§10A-1-9-116.1. Liability of foster parent.
§10A-1-9-116. Foster parent training and continuing education.
§10A-1-9-117. Allegations against employees of Department or child-placing agency by foster parent.
§10A-1-9-119.1. Rights of children being served by Child Welfare Services.
§10A-1-9-119. Statement of foster parent's rights.
§10A-1-9-120. Grievance procedures for foster parents.
§10A-1-9-122. Supported guardianship program.
§10A-1-9-123. Policies and procedures for children and youth at risk of sex trafficking.
§10A-1-9-124. Zero to Three Court Program.
§10A-2-1-102. Legislative intent - Construction of chapter - Purpose.
§10A-2-2-102. Personal jurisdiction.
§10A-2-2-104.1. Diversion services.
§10A-2-2-104. Preliminary inquiry - Petition.
§10A-2-2-105. Order removing child from home prohibited absent certain determinations.
§10A-2-2-106. Petition - Subsequent pleadings - Amended petitions.
§10A-2-2-107. Summons – Warrant - Service.
§10A-2-2-108. Examination by health care professionals - Order for treatment.
§10A-2-2-301. Conduct of interrogations - Appointment of counsel - Guardians ad litem.
§10A-2-2-401.3. Motion for determination of competency - Competency evaluation.
§10A-2-2-401.4. Credentialed forensic evaluators - Exceptions.
§10A-2-2-401.5. Competency evaluation report.
§10A-2-2-401.6. Competency hearing.
§10A-2-2-401.7. Court responses to competency determination.
§10A-2-2-402. Conduct of adjudicative hearings.
§10A-2-2-403. Preliminary hearing.
§10A-2-2-404. Deferral of delinquency adjudication proceedings.
§10A-2-2-501. Dispositional hearings.
§10A-2-2-502. Recommendation for disposition - Probation - Risk and needs assessment tools.
§10A-2-2-503. Disposition orders - Revocation, modification and redisposition.
§10A-2-2-504. Periodic review of disposition orders.
§10A-2-2-505. Juvenile drug court program.
§10A-2-2-506. Juvenile drug court investigation – Report - Eligibility.
§10A-2-2-507. Juvenile drug court program – Final eligibility hearing – Admittance into program.
§10A-2-2-508. Juvenile drug court program – Periodic review, progress reports and hearings.
§10A-2-2-701. Summons - Bench warrants - Obligations of parent, legal guardian, or custodian.
§10A-2-2-703. Expenses for care and maintenance of child.
§10A-2-2-801. Procedures and requirements for placement of adjudicated children.
§10A-2-2-802. Termination of parental rights.
§10A-2-2-803. Review and assessment of children committed to Office of Juvenile Affairs.
§10A-2-2-804. Child in need of mental health treatment.
§10A-2-3-103. Temporary detention - Transportation - Certification of juvenile detention facilities.
§10A-2-3-105. Grievance process for children.
§10A-2-4-101. Juvenile bureau and citizens' advisory committee.
§10A-2-4-102. Director and other personnel.
§10A-2-4-103. Administrative work of court - Uniformity of procedures and care.
§10A-2-4-104. Investigations and reports - Legal proceedings.
§10A-2-4-105. Arrests - Service of process.
§10A-2-4-106. Transportation of juveniles - Expenses.
§10A-2-4-107. Salaries and expenses - Offices and equipment.
§10A-2-4-108. Detention and group homes.
§10A-2-4-109. Citizens' advisory committee.
§10A-2-4-110. Appointment of personnel for Juvenile Docket of district court.
§10A-2-5-201. Short title - Youthful Offender Act.
§10A-2-5-202. Definitions – Purpose – Legislative intent.
§10A-2-5-203. Court proceedings - Jurisdiction.
§10A-2-5-205. Certification as youthful offender or juvenile.
§10A-2-5-206A. Motion for certification as a juvenile - Certification study - Guidelines.
§10A-2-5-207A. Motion for imposition of adult sentence - Certification study - Guidelines.
§10A-2-5-209A. Youthful offender review hearing - Extended jurisdiction.
§10A-2-5-211. Commitment to Department of Corrections - Judgment and sentence.
§10A-2-5-301. Educational needs during confinement or incarceration.
§10A-2-6-101. Court to keep records - Definitions.
§10A-2-6-102. Confidential juvenile records.
§10A-2-6-103. Confidentiality of social records.
§10A-2-6-104. Inspection and disclosure of confidential records without court order.
§10A-2-6-105. Inspection and disclosure of juvenile court records without court order.
§10A-2-6-106. Inspection and disclosure of Office of Juvenile Affairs records without court order.
§10A-2-6-107. Fingerprinting of persons under 18.
§10A-2-6-109. Expungement of juvenile court record.
§10A-2-6-110. Procedures for providing certain records to sheriffs - Confidentiality.
§10A-2-7-101. Board of Juvenile Affairs - Members - Duties and responsibilities.
§10A-2-7-201. Executive Director - Qualifications - Powers and duties.
§10A-2-7-202. Creation of office - Powers and duties.
§10A-2-7-203. Agreement with Supreme Court.
§10A-2-7-302. Division of Advocate Defender - Advocate General - Duties and responsibilities.
§10A-2-7-303. Community-based programs.
§10A-2-7-304. Financial agreements.
§10A-2-7-307. Cooperative agreements with Department of Human Services.
§10A-2-7-309. Department planning process for services to children and youth.
§10A-2-7-310. Defining services and programs.
§10A-2-7-401. Juvenile Detention Improvement Revolving Fund.
§10A-2-7-402. Court and hearing costs of Office of Juvenile Affairs - Special agency account.
§10A-2-7-501. Intake and probation services - Services related to juvenile offenders.
§10A-2-7-503. Delinquent children - Intent of Legislature - Powers and duties of Office.
§10A-2-7-504. Discharge of children adjudicated delinquent – Retention of custody and jurisdiction.
§10A-2-7-603. Rules, policies and procedures required in facilities.
§10A-2-7-604. Physical force, when authorized - Mechanical restraints – Chemical agents.
§10A-2-7-605. Run away or AWOL from a staff secure or nonsecure placement.
§10A-2-7-606. Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center - Supervision, management and control.
§10A-2-7-607. Lloyd E. Rader Children's Center - Administration and control.
§10A-2-7-609. Facilities and residential programs – Legislative intent.
§10A-2-7-611. Secure facilities - Certification - Violations.
§10A-2-7-612. Office of Juvenile Affairs - Sale of surplus real estate.
§10A-2-7-613. Office of Juvenile Affairs - Foster care.
§10A-2-7-614. Foster care - Requirement of licensing standards.
§10A-2-7-615. Foster care - Contract requirements.
§10A-2-7-616. Board of Juvenile Affairs - Charter school
§10A-2-7-617. Certification for secure detention center - Criminal history records search
§10A-2-7-618. Construction strategy for campus modifications - Best-value option.
§10A-2-7-619. Public/private partnership - Authority to sell OJA campus property.
§10A-2-7-701. Short title - Purpose - Intent.
§10A-2-7-704. Eligibility for contracts - Contract criteria - Duties of recipients.
§10A-2-7-801. Juvenile Offender Victim Restitution Work Program.
§10A-2-7-802. Juvenile Justice Public Works Program.
§10A-2-7-901. Juvenile Offender Tracking Program - Purpose.
§10A-2-7-903. Juvenile Offender Tracking Program - Components.
§10A-2-7-904. Implementation of Program - Duties of state and local agencies.
§10A-2-8-102. Juvenile sex offender defined.
§10A-2-8-103. Juvenile sex offender registry - Information included.
§10A-2-8-104. Application register - Criteria for qualifying - Court order.
§10A-2-8-105. Juvenile sex offenders ordered to probation - Notification of duty to register.
§10A-2-8-106. Annual registration - Notification of change of name and address.
§10A-2-8-107. Failure to register or provide notification of change of name or address.
§10A-2-8-108. Transfer of registration to adult sex offender registry - Petition.
§10A-2-8-109. Juveniles not subject to act.
§10A-2-8-110. Disclosure of information - Immunity from liability.
§10A-2-8-112. Rules, procedures, and forms.
§10A-2-8-221. Transmission of obscenity and child pornography.
§10A-2-8-222. Intoxicating beverages or low-point beer - Possession by persons under age 21.
§10A-2-9-104. Interstate Commission for Juveniles.
§10A-2-9-105. Interstate Commission - Powers and duties.
§10A-2-9-106. Interstate Commission - Organization and operation.
§10A-2-9-107. Interstate Commission - Rulemaking.
§10A-2-9-108. Interstate Commission - Oversight, enforcement and dispute resolution.
§10A-2-9-111. Compacting states - Effective date - Amendment.
§10A-2-9-112. Withdrawal - Default - Termination - Judicial enforcement.
§10A-2-9-113. Severability and construction.
§10A-2-9-114. Binding effect - Other laws.
§10A-2-9-115. Appointing authority - Compact administrator.
§10A-2-9-116. State Council for Interstate Juveniles Supervision.
§10A-2-10-101. Oklahoma Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program - Purpose.