Ceremonial signing held for bill to stop unfair court practices

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, joined Gov. Kevin Stitt for a ceremonial signing of her Senate Bill 44 in the Blue Room at the state Capitol last week. The bill will stop the unfair practice of fining individuals for missing a court date, while they are in holding or being detained by law enforcement.

“Honestly, I was shocked to learn that this occurs. This unfair practice of fining folks for missing a court date because they are incarcerated or in police custody and can’t appear in court had to stop.” Hicks said. “This will be an important change to halt the double penalization within our criminal justice system. Additionally, it calls to light ways in which the state can make meaningful reforms to reduce recidivism by removing the unfair practice of stacking fines and fees.”

Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan, was the principal House author of SB 44, which received unanimous, bipartisan support in the Legislature and will become law Nov. 1, 2021.

Sen. Hicks: (405) 521-5543 or Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov