OKLAHOMA CITY – All eviction proceedings in Comanche County, and other district courts across the state, have been suspended for the next month and a half.
“...[A]ll deadlines and procedures, whether prescribed by statute, rule or order in any civil, juvenile or criminal case, shall be suspended through May 15, 2020,” Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Noma Gurich wrote in an emergency order issued March 27.
In addition, all district courts in the state “shall immediately cancel all jury terms through May 15, 2020,” Justice Gurich mandated. “All civil, criminal and jury trials shall be continued to the next available jury dockets.”
Landlords can still file eviction applications with the court clerk. However, all eviction hearings are postponed and Oklahomans cannot be removed from their homes by eviction or foreclosure until May 15 at the earliest.
Comanche County Court Clerk Robert Morales explained that the county courthouse in Lawton is closed to the public except for emergency matters – such as domestic protective orders and emergency orders of detention.
Evictions are processed through small-claims court, Morales said – and for the next month and a half, no court hearings can be held to consider eviction petitions.
In fact, according to the office of Special District Judge Grant Sheperd, the earliest date an eviction application could be considered in Comanche County is May 19, when the next small-claims docket is scheduled.
Any Oklahoman who receives an eviction or foreclosure notice should not move out unless ordered to do so by a court or law enforcement official. Seek legal assistance by calling 2-1-1 or submitting your information at OKLegalConnect.org.