The Oklahoma Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals have filed SCAD No. 2020-36: Third Emergency Joint Order Regarding the COVID-19 State of Disaster. This order modifies the First and Second Joint Emergency Orders (SCAD Nos. 2020-24 and 2020-29) and is intended to assist judges and court clerks in all 77 counties with transitioning from shelter in place directives. This order also includes important dates and procedures of which bar members should be aware.

Bar members may leave comments or suggestions regarding this or future emergency orders related to the COVID-19 state of disaster on the Court Feedback form. Submissions from this form will be relayed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court on a weekly basis.

Dear Fellow OBA Members:

I hope everyone is doing as well as possible during this time. This crisis has caused all of us to be creative in figuring out how to handle all kinds of matters in innovative new ways, and the work of the OBA is continuing remotely despite the bar center being closed. Many sections have assembled virtual working groups to address the use of remote notaries, courthouse access and other issues. Executive Director John Morris Williams and his staff have been working tirelessly – and creatively – to keep member services functioning, to facilitate online committees and section meetings and to communicate with the courts, including our Supreme Court liaison Justice Rowe. Carol Manning, Laura Stone and Laura Wolf in the Communications Department continue to quickly send emails and social media posts to keep Oklahoma lawyers and the public informed of developing state and federal laws and announcements. Susan Damron and the CLE Department have made CLEs available on working from home and wellness. Jim Calloway and the MAP Department have many tips and resources about practicing during a crisis. Director of Administration Craig Combs and his staff are making sure the phones get answered and the bills are paid. Ethics Counsel Richard Stevens is answering your ethical questions. General Counsel Gina Hendryx and her team continue their work of representing the OBA and protecting the public. For all of you getting your MCLE requirements from home, Beverly Petry and her group are keeping track of your credits. All while Robbin Watson and her IT team are doing the critical task of keeping everyone connected. Our entire OBA staff deserves the highest praise for all they have done, and are doing, to keep everything running smoothly, and I am very grateful for their hard work and dedication.

If the OBA can assist you with during this time, please call or email, and remember to regularly check the OBA's COVID-19 resource page for important information that may be helpful to you and your clients.

Be well and stay well,
Susan B. Shields
2020 President
Oklahoma Bar Association

Dear OBA Members,

Today Governor Kevin Stitt issued an Amended Executive Memorandum 2020-01 that provides, among other things, that professional services, including legal services and accompanying administrative and support services, are essential. This clarifies that legal services provided by Oklahoma lawyers are exempt from yesterday’s Executive Order 2020-07 and may continue without interruption, allowing Oklahoma lawyers to provide the necessary legal work that our clients critically need during these challenging times. However, this does not mean business as usual. Oklahoma lawyers are leaders in our state and in our communities. It is incumbent upon all of us to lead during this time of crisis. For your own health and the health of others, please model best practices in adhering to all of the health and safety guidelines when in contact with clients, colleagues and members of the public, which includes following the CDC guidelines on limiting crowd sizes, social distancing, frequent hand washing and other precautions. Oklahoma lawyers are strongly encouraged to continue to work from home when that is an adequate venue to meet the needs of clients while maintaining personal safety and privacy.

In the event additional guidance is issued or the OBA receives further information, we will send a message out to all OBA members through all of our available communication tools. Together our OBA community will get through this challenging time together. Be well and stay well.

Susan B. Shields
2020 President
Oklahoma Bar Association

Dear OBA Members,
The OBA has been, and continues to be, hard at work on the issues raised by Gov. Stitt's March 24 executive order and the OBA is seeking clarification from the highest levels of Oklahoma government. Without exception legal services are essential to protect the rule of law and to help Oklahoma citizens and businesses in times of crisis. We are optimistic that we will have something positive to report back to OBA members before the Governor’s Executive Order goes into effect at midnight tonight.
We will update this webpage as soon as we receive clarification, and will continue to post regular updates via social media. Please check the webpage regularly to stay informed, and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

Susan B. Shields
2020 President
Oklahoma Bar Association

On March 15, 2020, the Governor of the State of Oklahoma declared a state of emergency in Executive Order 2020-07. The Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA), as a judicial agency of the State of Oklahoma, in adherence to the directives of the Governor of the State of Oklahoma, is asking that all interactions with the OBA be conducted by telephone or electronically.

The OBA, as a result of the state of emergency and directive by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma, is implementing a remote work policy that balances the safety and welfare of OBA employees with the critical services it provides.

OBA employees are precluded from non-essential out-of-state travel during this time.

The OBA can be reached by telephone at 405-416-7000 or 800-522-8065 and by fax at 405-416-7001. Inquires to staff may also be made electronically.  A staff directory is available on our website. Direct email links have been disabled, however to contact a staff member, email addresses are formatted as first name and last name initial followed by @okbar.org (e.g., FirstnameL@okbar.org).

If events and plans change, we will update our website and our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

All of us at the OBA regret the events that are transpiring and wish to continue to give as high a level of member and public service that we can under the circumstances.  If we can be of assistance, please contact us.

     John Morris Williams
     Executive Director
     johnw@okbar.org

The Oklahoma Bar Association is monitoring the potential impact of the Coronavirus on the OBA, its members and the public. In the last couple of weeks, in anticipation of the spread of the Coronavirus, we have developed contingency plans based on our existing disaster plan and the unique issues that pertain to a pandemic. The OBA will remain open for business as usual until such time as that is no longer the best thing for the health and safety of the public, our members and our staff.

The OBA has a business continuity plan in the event we must shut down the headquarters building. It is our belief that essential services can be maintained remotely if it comes to that. Each department has a plan. If things change, we will update our website and our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As for now if you have a meeting at the bar center and wish to attend remotely, let us know and we will do our best to make the meeting available by telephone or using BlueJeans conferencing service. If you belong to a section or committee, MyOKBar Communities are an excellent place to post information about meetings and meeting changes.

The OBA spring CLE programs will continue as usual. If you have registered for an in-person program and wish to attend remotely, please call 405-416 7029 or 800-522-8065 and the CLE staff will assist you in making that change. You may review CLE information online at www.okbar.org/cle.

Lastly, we take the situation at hand seriously. If you have need for support to assist you during this time the OBA is here for you. If you have concerns about ethical issues related to working remotely or need advice on how best to securely work from a remote location, email the Ethics Counsel at ethicscounsel@okbar.org. The OBA staff is here to assist you and it is our desire to maintain as high a level of member services as the situation allows. Although this is our first pandemic to work through, we have seasoned staff who have a demonstrated ability to meet almost any challenge and we intend to face these times with the same vigor.

     John Morris Williams
     Executive Director

CDC: Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the
Further Spread of COVID-19, September 1

2020 OK 96

In the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma

and 

In the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals

SCAD NO 2020-107 FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION

Fourth Emergency Joint Order Regarding The Covid-19 State of Disaster

SCAD 2020 107

1. Governor J. Kevin Stitt issued The Seventh Amended Executive Order 2020-20 on November 16, 2020, extending the health emergency in all 77 Oklahoma counties caused by the impending threat of COVID-19 to the people of the state. This order is issued to clarify the procedures to be followed in all Oklahoma district courts and to avoid unnecessary health risks to judges, court clerks, court employees and the public.
2. This order supplements the First, Second, and Third Joint Emergency Orders (SCADS Nos. 2020-24, 2020-29 & 2020-36) from the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals. Certain provisions in the prior three (3) orders concluded based on their own terms. Nothing in this Order extends any provision that has concluded.
3. Judges of the District Courts are authorized to take any and all necessary steps to protect the health and safety of all participants in any court proceeding. Decisions should be made on a courthouse by courthouse basis. Decisions should be based upon the number of judges, clerks, and courthouse personnel who are currently under treatment and/or in quarantine due to COVID-19. Other relevant factors to consider include but are not limited to hospitalizations, the community rate of COVID-19 infections and any other directives from the Oklahoma Department of Health and regional and county health departments.
4. Local county officials will continue to guide the extent to which county buildings are closed or have restricted access to the public. All area of a county facility occupied by judges, judicial staff, court clerks and staff may remain closed to the public with exceptions for necessary and emergency matters and as permitted by local order.
5. Orders and Notices should be made available to the public, which may include restrictions on access to courtrooms, judges' offices, the court clerk's office and any other areas of the courthouse designated for the use of court functions. Conditions required by the public in order to permit entrance may include the requirement that all persons wear two-ply masks. The taking of temperatures may be required. People who are ill should be restricted from entering courtroom or other areas designated for use by the court. Social distancing should be practiced and crowded hallways should be avoided. All persons should be reminded to wash their hands. To that end, county facilities are responsible for providing soap and water.
6. The decision to schedule or proceed or continue or reschedule any jury term, Civil or Criminal jury trial, non-jury trial or any other proceeding rests solely with the judges of the District Court.
7. In the event that there is an objection to the continuance of any civil or criminal jury trial, non-jury trial or other proceeding, the assigned judge shall make a full record including reference to all Joint Emergency Orders, any local directives, and any other facts and circumstances necessary for later appellate review.
8. Judges and other courthouse personnel shall continue to use all available means to ensure the health of all participants in any court proceeding. Judges are encouraged to continue to use remote participation to the extent possible by use of telephone conferencing and video conferencing pursuant to Rule 34 of the Rules for District Courts. The use of TEAMS is recommended. BlueJeans.com may be used with approval of the Chief Justice. Zoom remains blocked on all equipment provided by the AOC/MIS. Judges are encouraged to develop methods to give reasonable notice and access to the participants and the public.
9. To the extent that in person dockets are held, judges may restrict the number of persons wo are permitted to enter the courtroom or other areas designated for use by the court, including courtroom, offices of the judge and court clerks and areas adjacent thereto.
10. Court clerks and judges may continue to use mail, email, and drop off boxes for acceptance of written materials and correspondence with parties/counsel.
11. All rules and procedures, and all deadlines whether prescribed by statute, rule or order in any civil, juvenile or criminal case, are in force and effect, including all appeals rules and procedures for the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Civil Appeals.
12. All appellate filing shall continue to be made by mail, third party commercial carrier or in person devilry to a specified area at the Oklahoma Judicial Center, subject to the conditions set forth in notices posted on OSCN.
13. It is anticipated that additional orders may be entered as deemed necessary.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DONE BY ORDER OF THE Supreme Court IN CONFERENCE THIS 23rd DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2020.

CLICK HERE FOR SIGNATURES AND DISSENT. 

IN RE: SUSPENSION OF JURY TRIALS IN DECEMBER 2020

"In light of surge of new cases, the Court has determined to continue the limited jury trials set on the december 2020 docket, to be reset by the presiding judge. The presiding judge will also address trial-related deadlines."

Download the order.

For the full set of guidlines, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0308-vaccinated-guidelines.html