JUVENILE JUSTICE IN OKLAHOMA
The juvenile justice system is a unique process that is different from the adult criminal justice system in several ways. Click on any icon to learn more about youth justice in Oklahoma.
detention
arrest
sentencing
referral
adjudication
reentry
WHAT’S DIVERSION?
Diversion programs work to keep young people out of the system while balancing accountability and public safety. Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system needs reform to make sure every youth has access to diversion and community support.
Detention
Not all youth are placed in detention (a secure holding facility, similar to jail) while they await a hearing. But those who do go to detention facilities experience significant disruptions to their lives, like being separated from their families and being unable to attend school normally. Detention can create lasting psychological trauma, and it is especially harmful to brain development for younger children. As you can see, the number of young Oklahomans placed in detention has risen over the past three years.
[1]
2022
2023
2024
Data Source: Office of Juvenile Affairs
Diversion
Diversion programs vary widely in terms of who they serve and what they offer. For example, some programs might focus on treating substance use, while others might facilitate family therapy or peer mentoring. Depending on the type of program, diversion can happen at virtually any stage of the juvenile justice process. Currently, Oklahoma does not have any statewide programs, and youth in more remote areas may not have access to diversion programs at all. However, there are many smaller, more localized programs across the state that offer invaluable support to youth. Click on any icon to learn more about diversion programs across our state. (Note: This is not a comprehensive list.)
Reentry
Re-adjusting to life outside the justice system is challenging, especially if the youth has been separated from their family, friends, and school for a while. Reenry planning helps make the transition smoother by connecting them with community supports. In 2024, the Council of State Governments found that reentry services are "inconsistent" across the state, and reentry policies "lack clarity." Older youth who do not receive these services may face higher likelihood of homelessness, substance use, and justiice involvement.
[1]
Adjudication
When a young person is found in court to be responsible for a crime, they are are not "convicted" or "found guilty" of a crime-- instead, they are adjudicated delinquent. This distinction is important, because it helps prevent the stigma associated with a criminal record from following the child into adulthood. In Oklahoma, juvenile records are often sealed when a person turns 21. However, there are some instances when young people may face more serious consequences. For example, District attorneys have discretion to defer the proceedings to adult criminal court if the crime would have been charged as a felony if committed by an adult.
[1,
2]
In 2023, 49.8% of Oklahoma's adjudicated offenses were felonies and 48.1% were misdemeanors. The remainder were non-criminal offenses such as warrants, status offenses (like skipping school or running away), and probation violations.
[3]
[3]
Arrest
Not all youth who enter the juvenile justice system in Oklahoma are arrested. However, 86% of all referrals to the system are made by law enforcement.
[1]
Arrest can be traumatizing for young people. Statistically, youth with formal filings are more likely to end up in the adult criminal justice system later in life.
[2]
In 2020 (the most recent data available), 1,500 youth were arrested in Oklahoma--about 20% of all juvenile justice referrals.
4]
[3,
Sentencing
[1,
2,
3,
4]
Referral
Most referrals do not result in justice involvement for youth. In 2024, the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) received 9,072 referrals. Of those, only 3,115 youth were given intake assessments; the rest did not have any further involvement from OJA. Of those who did complete intakes:
- 2,147 did not have cases filed,
- 403 resulted in "informal adjustments" (sent to diversion programs instead of court), and
- 643 were "deferred filings," meaning the youth is asked to complete some kind of program before going to court. If they are successful, the case is dismissed.
A referral is the first step toward juvenile justice involvement. It is a recommendation from an adult, like school officials, law enforcement, or parents, that a young person needs intervention. Referred youth may go through an intake and assessment process that helps determine what kind of intervention is needed based on the root issue, like substance use or mental health treatment, and/or punishment for misbehavior. The assessments also help staff decide whether to file a case. In some instances, district attorneys have discretion to file charges in (adult) criminal court instead.
[4,
[1,
2,
3]
5]
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Transcript
JUVENILE JUSTICE IN OKLAHOMA
The juvenile justice system is a unique process that is different from the adult criminal justice system in several ways. Click on any icon to learn more about youth justice in Oklahoma.
detention
arrest
sentencing
referral
adjudication
reentry
WHAT’S DIVERSION?
Diversion programs work to keep young people out of the system while balancing accountability and public safety. Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system needs reform to make sure every youth has access to diversion and community support.
Detention
Not all youth are placed in detention (a secure holding facility, similar to jail) while they await a hearing. But those who do go to detention facilities experience significant disruptions to their lives, like being separated from their families and being unable to attend school normally. Detention can create lasting psychological trauma, and it is especially harmful to brain development for younger children. As you can see, the number of young Oklahomans placed in detention has risen over the past three years.
[1]
2022
2023
2024
Data Source: Office of Juvenile Affairs
Diversion
Diversion programs vary widely in terms of who they serve and what they offer. For example, some programs might focus on treating substance use, while others might facilitate family therapy or peer mentoring. Depending on the type of program, diversion can happen at virtually any stage of the juvenile justice process. Currently, Oklahoma does not have any statewide programs, and youth in more remote areas may not have access to diversion programs at all. However, there are many smaller, more localized programs across the state that offer invaluable support to youth. Click on any icon to learn more about diversion programs across our state. (Note: This is not a comprehensive list.)
Reentry
Re-adjusting to life outside the justice system is challenging, especially if the youth has been separated from their family, friends, and school for a while. Reenry planning helps make the transition smoother by connecting them with community supports. In 2024, the Council of State Governments found that reentry services are "inconsistent" across the state, and reentry policies "lack clarity." Older youth who do not receive these services may face higher likelihood of homelessness, substance use, and justiice involvement.
[1]
Adjudication
When a young person is found in court to be responsible for a crime, they are are not "convicted" or "found guilty" of a crime-- instead, they are adjudicated delinquent. This distinction is important, because it helps prevent the stigma associated with a criminal record from following the child into adulthood. In Oklahoma, juvenile records are often sealed when a person turns 21. However, there are some instances when young people may face more serious consequences. For example, District attorneys have discretion to defer the proceedings to adult criminal court if the crime would have been charged as a felony if committed by an adult.
[1,
2]
In 2023, 49.8% of Oklahoma's adjudicated offenses were felonies and 48.1% were misdemeanors. The remainder were non-criminal offenses such as warrants, status offenses (like skipping school or running away), and probation violations.
[3]
[3]
Arrest
Not all youth who enter the juvenile justice system in Oklahoma are arrested. However, 86% of all referrals to the system are made by law enforcement.
[1]
Arrest can be traumatizing for young people. Statistically, youth with formal filings are more likely to end up in the adult criminal justice system later in life.
[2]
In 2020 (the most recent data available), 1,500 youth were arrested in Oklahoma--about 20% of all juvenile justice referrals.
4]
[3,
Sentencing
[1,
2,
3,
4]
Referral
Most referrals do not result in justice involvement for youth. In 2024, the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) received 9,072 referrals. Of those, only 3,115 youth were given intake assessments; the rest did not have any further involvement from OJA. Of those who did complete intakes:
A referral is the first step toward juvenile justice involvement. It is a recommendation from an adult, like school officials, law enforcement, or parents, that a young person needs intervention. Referred youth may go through an intake and assessment process that helps determine what kind of intervention is needed based on the root issue, like substance use or mental health treatment, and/or punishment for misbehavior. The assessments also help staff decide whether to file a case. In some instances, district attorneys have discretion to file charges in (adult) criminal court instead.
[4,
[1,
2,
3]
5]