The logic of the “tough on crime” movement holds that punishing people harshly for their offenses — whether violent or nonviolent — is a critical tool to prevent crime. That attitude was the driving force behind criminal justice policy in…
Read more [More...]
In June, Governor Fallin announced the formation of the Oklahoma Justice Task Force, a group that will bring together a wide range of stakeholders to study the criminal justice system and propose legislation aimed at reducing Oklahoma’s high and growing…
Read more [More...]
By:
Gene Perry
September 12, 2016 // Updated: May 2, 2019
Learn about other state questions on the ballot in Oklahoma.
Download this fact sheet as a pdf.
En Español
The Gist
SQ 776 is a constitutional amendment that affirms the state of Oklahoma’s right to perform executions. It gives the…
Read more [More...]
Learn about other state questions on the ballot in Oklahoma.
Download this fact sheet as a pdf.
The Gist
SQ 780 changes the classification of simple drug possession crimes from felony to misdemeanor. It also raises the dollar amount that…
Read more [More...]
The criminal justice system tends to move slowly. The time between a person’s arrest and sentencing usually stretches for months, depending on the charges, but where that time is spent depends mainly on whether the person can afford to pay…
Read more [More...]
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. You can find past Capitol Updates archived on his website.
There was an important announcement…
Read more [More...]
Steve Lewis served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1989-1991. He currently practices law in Tulsa and represents clients at the Capitol. You can sign up on his website to receive the Capitol Updates newsletter by email.…
Read more [More...]
The Oklahoma Legislature took some important steps on criminal justice reform in the 2016 session. This progress is the result of a collaborative effort by dozens of stakeholders to reduce penalties on low-level crimes and make alternative sentencing more accessible.…
Read more [More...]
The 2016 session began with some high hopes and grave concerns given the state’s massive budget shortfall. Prior to session, OK Policy laid out our top priorities in the areas of budget and taxes, health care, education, criminal justice, economic…
Read more [More...]
The beginning of this year’s legislative session brought hope that lawmakers would begin to scale back justice system fines and fees that have grown enormously in size and number over the past two decades. Instead, the problem is likely to…
Read more [More...]
OKPOLICY.ORG
