In FY 2021, an estimated $41 million was collected from felony and misdemeanor cases across the state.
After being named the state with the highest incarceration rate in 2016, Oklahoma made intentional policy changes, reducing its prison population by 21 percent. This report chronicles the progress made in Oklahoma and the impact of reforms intended to create a smaller, better, fairer, and safer justice system. It also highlights areas where continued improvement is needed, including its massive fines and fees systems. As part of the discussion on reentry, the authors detail the state of fines and fees in Oklahoma and the collateral consequences people face when they do not have the ability to pay.
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Key Findings:
- More than 100 statutory fines and fees exist at the state level in Oklahoma.
- Since FY 2007, 66 to 90 percent of annual district court funds have come from court collections.
- Nearly $590 million in fees was sent to programs unrelated to district courts between FY 2007 and FY 2017.
- 85 percent of court-imposed costs go uncollected.
- The median cost associated with a court case in the four largest counties in Oklahoma is $1,120 for a felony case and $886 for a misdemeanor case in FY 2021.