Oklahoma County judge promises changes to bail system after concerns of constitutional violations

November 6, 2026 The Frontier and KOSU previously reported that judges in Oklahoma County routinely fail to consider whether defendants can afford bail, leaving poor and homeless people jailed on low-level charges. Other counties have already faced civil rights lawsuits. Tweet Share Share Author Maddy Keyes and Sierra Pfeifer, KOSU [email protected] Reading Time 4 min Posted In Criminal Justice The Oklahoma County Courthouse in downtown Oklahoma City SIERRA PFEIFER / KOSU Oklahoma County Presiding Judge Sheila Stinson told state lawmakers she will issue orders to mandate reforms to bail hearings that keep many poor people in jail. Stinson spoke during an interim study at the Oklahoma Capitol on Oct. 29, where attorneys, court staff and advocates urged the state to step in and fix the county’s court system to avoid costly lawsuits. People booked into the Oklahoma County jail can wait days for their first appearance, depending on when they are booked.

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