OKPOLICY.ORG
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is the state’s highest appellate court for civil matters. The nine justices of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Governor from a list of three names submitted by the Judicial Nominating Commission. The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals serves as the highest appellate court for criminal matters. M. John Kane IV, appointed to the Court by Gov. Kevin Stitt in 2019, currently serves as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
In addition to deciding cases, the Supreme Court is responsible for administering the state’s entire judicial system. The Court establishes rules of operation for all other courts in the state, formulates the rules for practice of law, which govern the conduct of all attorneys, and administers discipline in appropriate cases. The Chief Justice appoints the Administrative Director of the Courts, who is responsible for operating all the state’s appellate and district courts. Diana O’Neal was appointed to the position as of September 2024, replacing Jari Askins.
