Supporters say the measure will give judges more information when deciding whether criminal defendants should remain in jail or be released while awaiting trial.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation creating a new framework for how Oklahoma judges determine whether criminal defendants should remain in jail or be released while awaiting trial.
Senate Bill 1618, known as the Public Protection Act, requires courts to consider evidence-based risk assessments and public safety reports when determining release conditions for defendants awaiting trial. Supporters say the measure is intended to provide judges with more information about whether a defendant is likely to commit additional crimes, miss court appearances or pose a risk to public safety if released.
Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, who carried the measure in the House, said the legislation addresses longstanding concerns about the information available to courts during the early stages of criminal proceedings.
“When someone is arrested for a crime, one of the first questions should be whether releasing that individual poses a risk to the public,” Harris said in a statement. “The Public Protection Act will protect communities by giving judges better information to make informed decisions and preventing dangerous criminals from slipping through the cracks.”
The law also establishes new reporting requirements intended to provide lawmakers, courts and the public with additional data on pretrial outcomes, including rates of reoffending and court appearances.
Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, the bill’s Senate author, said the measure seeks to balance public safety concerns with consistent treatment of defendants awaiting trial.
“By using pretrial risk assessments to determine release conditions, we are keeping communities safe while upholding consistent standards that treat defendants fairly under the law,” Gollihare said.
Supporters contend the law will help judges make more informed decisions by incorporating information about criminal history and the seriousness of alleged offenses into the review process before defendants are released from custody.
SB 1618 takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
