Bill > SJR43

This Joint Resolution directs the Secretary of State to present to the voters for their approval or rejection a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution that would replace the current judicial system with a new one. Specifically, it seeks to repeal Articles VII and VII-B, which govern the Judicial Department and how justices and judges are chosen, and add a new Article VII-C. This new article would establish the state's judicial power, create various courts including a Supreme Court and a Court of Criminal Appeals with specific requirements and jurisdictions, and shift the selection of appellate judges to a gubernatorial appointment process requiring Senate confirmation, with appellate judges then facing retention elections every six years. Judges of courts of general jurisdiction would be elected similarly to county officers. The resolution also outlines procedures for filling vacancies, grants administrative authority over the courts to the Supreme Court, and allows the Legislature to enact further laws as needed, with an effective date of January 1, 2023.