Bill > SB1609

This bill, effective November 1, 2026, amends the Oklahoma Evidence Code to allow certain statements made by victims of serious violent crimes to be admissible in criminal and juvenile proceedings. Specifically, statements that describe or explain incidents of poisoning with intent to kill, shooting with intent to kill, or assault with intent to kill, as defined in Oklahoma Statutes Title 21, Sections 651, 652, and 653, can be used as evidence if they were made by the victim to a law enforcement officer within one week of the incident, included in an application for a protective order within one week of the incident, or given as testimony at a hearing for a protective order. This provision aims to ensure that statements from victims of these severe offenses can be considered in various stages of legal proceedings, including preliminary hearings, hearings to determine if a case has merit, and hearings related to probation or deferred judgments.

Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1609&Session=2600