Criminal Justice (Juvenile Justice)

SB 769 prohibits juveniles adjudicated for violent crimes from possessing or purchasing firearms until they turn 25 years old. It requires juvenile courts to inform these juveniles of the restriction before accepting a guilty plea or after a ruling, and mandates electronic submission of case details to background check systems. The bill also allows juveniles aged 19 or older (with at least one year since the offense) to petition courts for reinstatement of firearm rights, based on their behavior and future criminal risk. This policy directly affects young people convicted of violent offenses in juvenile court, with the law taking effect November 1, 2025.

HB 1563 allows criminal defendants to subpoena specific records from law enforcement and businesses in Oklahoma. It permits defendants to request body camera footage, traffic videos, incident reports, or security camera recordings covering the time of the alleged crime from businesses or commercial entities. The bill includes safeguards: law enforcement can object if records involve juvenile confidentiality, ongoing investigations, or informant privacy, and requires strict fee limits ($0.25/page for copies). This directly affects criminal defendants seeking evidence, while balancing access with protections for sensitive information.

HB 1885, the "Safeguarding Juvenile Justice Act," requires all interactions between juveniles and court personnel (including judges, attorneys, and court officials) to be recorded visually and audibly with trained advocates present. It mandates judges with juvenile cases complete six hours of annual training on ethical conduct and grooming prevention, while attorneys handling juvenile cases must complete three hours annually on similar topics. The bill also updates grievance procedures for youth in detention, requiring facilities to make complaint processes accessible and directing the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth to investigate complaints about facility conditions or staff misconduct. These changes apply directly to juvenile court participants, judges, attorneys, and detention facilities across Oklahoma, effective November 1, 2025.