
Oklahoma Senate approves electronic monitoring expansion for nonviolent offenders
Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
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OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that will help more nonviolent offenders qualify for the Electronic Monitoring Program passed out of the Senate unanimously late Tuesday evening (March 2). The proposal garnered 43 yes votes.
Senate Bill 456’s author, Sen. Bill Coleman, said the measure was needed to correct an oversight in state law that left inmates sentenced between five and ten years unable to participate in home monitoring.
“This bill will help address our overcrowded prisons and lower incarceration costs by allowing this group of nonviolent offenders to complete the remainder of their sentences at home, where they can return to the workforce and help support themselves and their families,” Coleman said in a press release this week sent to CapitolBeatOK.com, The City Sentinel newspaper and other news organizations.
“It’ll also ensure that those who prey on our most vulnerable citizens — our children and senior citizens — won’t be eligible for the program.”
The Ponca City Republican explained the bill prohibits those convicted of child abuse and neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, some instances of which are considered nonviolent crimes, from participating in the program.
In a February release concerning the bill, Coleman said:
“Current law inadvertently left certain nonviolent offenders sentenced between five and ten years unable to participate in the Electronic Monitoring Program. This was an oversight that needs to be corrected to allow more nonviolent offenders the ability to serve out the remainder of their sentence at home with their families. This not only helps reconnect families and get these individuals back into the workforce, it also helps lower incarceration costs and overcrowding in our prison system.”
S.B. 456 also adds inmates convicted on counts relating to child abuse and neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult to the list of individuals deemed ineligible to be placed in the Electronic Monitoring Program.
“While GPS monitoring is a good way to help most nonviolent offenders serve the remainder of their sentence at home, it’s not appropriate or safe for predators who have victimized children and vulnerable senior citizens,” Coleman said.
“Electronic monitoring only tracks offenders’ location, not who they’re around or what they’re doing — meaning when they return home, they may still be in close proximity of the individual they hurt or exploited, possibly putting the victim in danger or causing them undue stress and anxiety. We must protect our most vulnerable citizens from those who would prey on them.”
Participation in the Electronic Monitoring Program is not automatic. Inmates must apply to get into the program and meet numerous eligibility standards prior to enrollment.
The measure, which was requested by the Department of Corrections, now heads to the House where Rep. Garry Mize, R-Guthrie, is the House principal author.
Oklahoma Senate approves electronic monitoring expansion for nonviolent offenders Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK
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OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate approved legislation Tuesday expanding educational opportunities for Oklahoma families. Senate Bill 783, by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, modifies the Education Open Transfer Act to allow students to transfer to another public school district year-round.
Pugh, who serves as the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, said the bill is desperately needed to provide families more flexibility to find the school that meets the needs of their child.
“No other state service is based on geography except K-12 education. We’re also not told where we can go to the doctor, to church or to shop; and it’s time to stop telling parents where their kids have to go to school,” Pugh said. “Having the proper education to meet a child’s unique needs is the most important choice a parent can make, because it will impact their path and success in life. Senate Bill 783 gives parents the power to make this important decision for their children instead of letting zip codes choose for them.”
Under S.B. 783, beginning Jan. 1, 2022, a student can transfer up to two times per school year to any public school district as long as the district has not exceeded its transfer capacity for that grade level and the student has no discipline or truancy issues. If the number of transfer applications exceeds a district’s capacity, applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Currently, there are only two short transfer windows available for students, and many of those requests are denied. The current system is too complicated and leaves families stuck because there is no opportunity to appeal their denied requests,” Pugh said. “This bill will create an appeals process at the local and state level to help empower families to take charge of their children’s education.”
Under S.B. 783, a denied transfer request can be appealed within 10 days to the receiving local school board. If the local board denies the appeal, another appeal can be filed within 10 days to the State Board of Education. The measure prevailed 32-15 in the upper chamber of the Legislature.
Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, applauded Pugh’s work to reform Oklahoma’s open transfer system.
“Every parent deserves the chance to seek the best educational opportunity for their student. A student’s zip code should not limit their ability to attend a great school. Open transfer is a long-overdue education reform that will help parents and students to pursue schooling that best meets the needs of an individual student,” Treat said.
“I applaud Senator Pugh’s work on this important piece of education reform that will help our students get the best education possible. I see this as an important first step in putting parents in charge of their children’s education.”
The bill also directs district school boards to adopt a policy by Jan. 1, 2022, to determine how many students their district has the capacity to accept in each grade level per school. Capacity must be established and published on the school website and reported to the State Department of Education (SDE). Local school boards must also submit to the SDE the number of transfers approved and denied and the reason for denial. The agency will publish the data on its website and share it with the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability.
S.B. 783, which has the support of the State Chamber of Commerce, the State Department of Education and various school advocacy groups, now moves to the House where Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, is serving as the House principal author.
Bill strengthening state’s open transfer system moves to House of Repesentatives Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK Measure Placing National Motto on Public Buildings passes Oklahoma House of Representatives3/2/2021 ![]()
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that would require the national motto of “In God We Trust” to be displayed on all state government buildings passed the House on Monday (March 1).
House Bill 2085, authored by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Speaker Pro Tempore Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa, would require the display of the motto to be prominent and in keeping with the one in the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center.
In debating for the measure on the state House floor, O’Donnell pointed out that the United States Congress has reaffirmed “In God We Trust” as the national motto several times in recent years since the motto was first adopted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. The last affirmation came in 2011 with a vote of 396-9.
“Clearly, this national motto unified our national leaders,” O’Donnell said. “When we really look at it, it unifies us as Americans and as Oklahomans. Isn’t that what both political parties claim must happen right now – that we must come together in unity? This motto is woven into the fabric of our society, and reminds us of who we are as Americans.”
McCall and O’Donnell pointed out that the motto is already on the nation’s currency and on many government buildings throughout the nation, as well as on license plates and in many other places.
“‘In God We Trust’ has been our national motto for more than 70 years,” McCall said.
“Long before that, our founding fathers used the Declaration of Independence to give credence to the belief that Americans are ‘endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.’ This important piece of our history deserves to be celebrated here as it is in thousands of government buildings nationwide.”
H.B. 2085 is a revision of a measure that passed last year in the House by a wide majority but did not make it through the legislative process because of pandemic interruptions. The legislation on Monday passed with a vote of 81-19.
A press release from the state House majority, sent to CapitolBeatOK and other news organizations, pointed out, “The measure received no Democrat votes. Just more than a decade ago, a Democrat-authored bill that created Oklahoma’s ‘In God We Trust’ specialty license plate received bipartisan support in both legislative chambers."
Senate Bill 2 in 2009, by former Sen. Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, and former Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, created the ‘In God We Trust’ license plate.
“As it did more than a decade ago, I was proud the Oklahoma House majority stood again in favor of widely-accepted American history and Oklahoma values,” McCall said.
The bill now moves to the state Senate where Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the principle author.
Measure Placing National Motto on Public Buildings passes Oklahoma House of Representatives Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]() One of the best thought leaders on free speech was Frederick Douglass. While advocating for the freedom of all in the United States of America and advocating for the U.S. Constitution, he made two extremely relevant points: “To suppress free speech is a double wrong. It violates the rights of the hearer as well as those of the speaker,” and, “Liberty is meaningless where the right to utter one’s thoughts and opinions has ceased to exist.” The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs www.ocpathink.org works every day to shape culture, policy and politics for freedom. For the better part of a year, we have been fighting for a crucial fundamental right: the First Amendment right to free speech and a free press. Oklahomans and OCPA recently won a huge victory. The development of good government policy requires open public debate. When one side of a debate is gagged, poorly designed or harmful policies advance without question and working families pay the price. Last spring, OCPA proudly advocated for sensible safety measures that would protect citizens from COVID-19 while also allowing their continued pursuit of their lives and livelihoods. This came when many businesses were being forced to close and many Oklahomans were losing their jobs. We argued for a better approach that would keep businesses safely open and Oklahomans employed. At the same time, the CEO of Paycom, a $22 billion Oklahoma City-based tech company, was advocating for a broader suspension of businesses services and increased use of government’s power. We referenced that fact in an article and linked directly to a letter by Paycom’s CEO endorsing those actions. In response, Paycom filed a meritless lawsuit, attempting to silence and cancel OCPA’s free-speech advocacy for working families. The lawsuit received much publicity, as news outlets noted Paycom’s allegations against OCPA. Paycom’s lawsuit has been dismissed — with prejudice. In the court’s order dismissing the case, the judge found that Paycom’s claims against OCPA “relate to or are in response to the OCPA’s exercise of the right to free speech,” noted the “absence of any evidence” that Paycom suffered any specific loss of business as the result of OCPA’s reporting, and noted the “absence of any evidence of actual malice by OCPA.” In fighting for our free-speech rights, OCPA is fighting for the free-speech rights of all Oklahomans. If we can be silenced by the filing of meritless lawsuits, so can anyone. At OCPA, we welcome open, robust debate. George Washington may have said it best: “For if Men are to be precluded from offering their Sentiments on a matter, which may involve the most serious and alarming consequences, that can invite the consideration of Mankind, reason is of no use to us; the freedom of Speech may be taken away, and, dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the Slaughter.” Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Fighting for free speech for all Oklahomans Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
OKLAHOMA CITY – New and compelling evidence has emerged that Julius Jones, a man on death row in Oklahoma since 2002, did not commit the murder he was convicted of and for which he was sentenced to death.
The information was circulated to journalists -- including The City Sentinel newspaper, CapitolBeatOK.com and the public – along with a press release and video, on March 1, 2021.
Jones is currently awaiting execution for the 1999 killing of Edmond businessman Paul Howell. Since Jones’ conviction, the state has faced scrutiny for relying on the testimony of Jones’ co-defendant, Christopher Jordan, who told jurors that Jones shot and killed Mr. Howell. Jordan, who admits to being at the scene of the murder, took a plea deal in exchange for his testimony and is now a free man after serving 15 years in prison.
Jones has always maintained his innocence. His family says he was eating dinner at their home during the time of the murder.
Today (Monday, March 1), Jones’ legal team released a video and a letter in which Roderick Wesley, a man who served time with Jones at an Arkansas penitentiary, says Jordan confessed multiple times to murdering a man and framing Julius.
(https://mcusercontent.com/7b7ae9b9127a38fcf02b3236f/files/616286e6-067f-4479-8f0a-c9e1b88deb6c/2020.07.21_Letter_from_Roderick_Wesley_to_Dale_and_Amanda.pdf).
In the letter to Jones’ legal team, Wesley wrote that Jordan said “my co-defendant is on death row behind a murder I committed.” In a video call with Jones' attorneys, Wesley said Jordan was apologetic when delivering his confession, but said he was not “going to jump out there and give himself up to the wolves.”
Wesley provided more details about Jordan’s confession during videoconference calls with Jones’ legal team. It has been independently verified that Wesley and Jordan both served at the East Arkansas Regional Unit facility, also known as Brickeys, in 2010. Both worked at the prison commissary.
[Cut and paste link to access this link to the YouTube posting of the Roderick Wesley video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GGY2oUPxcc&feature=youtu.be
]
Roderick Wesley is now the third person who has come forward to say that Christopher Jordan confessed in prison to murdering Paul Howell.
In 2004, a former cellmate of Christopher Jordan’s, Manuel Littlejohn, signed a sworn affidavit
(https://ift.tt/3c5VeMH ) that read, in part:
“Jordan stated that he felt guilty because he was going to implicate his co-defendant, Julius Jones, in a murder case to avoid getting the death penalty[.] . . . Jordan stated that he had wrapped the gun used to commit the murder in his case in a bandana and hidden it in Julius Jones’ house[.] . . . Regarding the murder case, Jordan stated to me, ‘Julius didn’t do it,’ and ‘Julius wasn’t there.’”
Also in 2004, Christopher Berry, a prisoner in Oklahoma, signed a sworn affidavit saying that Jordan bragged “about how he was the actual person who shot the victim in his case. Mr. Jordan also said that because he was the first person to talk to the police, he was getting a deal and would not get the death penalty.”
(https://ift.tt/3e6l5q2)
Neither Berry, Littlejohn, nor Wesley were offered shorter sentences or incentives in exchange for disclosing their conversations with Jordan. None of them know each other or have met Julius Jones.
Besides Jordan’s multiple confessions behind-bars, eye-witness testimony also calls into question whether Jones could have been the shooter and whether the description more closely matched Jordan.
At the time of the murder, an eyewitness described a man wearing a bandana with a least a half-inch of hair hanging out. Photos taken at the time show Jones with a nearly shaved head, whereas Jordan’s braids more closely matched the eye-witness description.
Cece Jones-Davis, an activist and faith leader who helped launch the “Justice for Julius” movement in Oklahoma, said the new evidence suggests the state has now been imprisoning an innocent man for over two decades.
“Julius Jones did not murder Paul Howell,” said Jones-Davis.
“At this point, it is clear who did. It is unthinkable to proceed with this execution knowing that the real killer is out there and has confessed, on multiple occasions, to his crime. “
Jones has filed an application to commute his sentence to time-served with the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. The Board is scheduled to begin their initial review of that application on March 8. If his application is denied, he will receive an execution date.
New Evidence Supports Julius Jones’ Claims of Innocence Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
In the first three episodes, the new CBS TV series “The Equalizer” featured solid, appealing, and fully “now” story lines, delivered by a fine cast whose work was edited efficiently – and, at times, beautifully – for the home screen.
In the lead role of Robyn McCall, Queen Latifah is stellar. A little at a time, we are learning her back-story. She is a woman with deadly skills exercised for the Central Intelligence Agency in service of the United States. A mother who loves her daughter Delilah (Laya DeLeon Hayes) and the family elder Vi Marsette (Lorraine Toissant). A veteran of human warfare distrustful of most past colleagues, but respectful of her former handler, William Bishop (Chris Noth, playing himself – and that’s just fine).
Robyn relies on friends to carry forth her new role as urban vigilante (willing to kill for justice). Former agent Mel (played with appealing verve by Liza Lapira) and cyber-whiz Harry (Adam Goldberg) are the two people Robyn most trusts – and perhaps the only persons who know her full story, to the extent anyone can truly know another.
The outsider in the story is NYPD Detective Dante Marcus (Tory Kittles). Initially he was angry and furious at the mysterious woman (‘captured’ in security camera footage, yet a mystery even to experts in identification), he is drawn to her righteousness. Still, he promises to
hold her accountable as time continues.
Actor Alexis Suarez and actress Erica Camrano have turned up in initial cameos and are likely to return. The full range of supporting performers have delivered believably.
The stories have touched on simply thuggery in the criminal class, and abuse of power by persons and authorities. Delilah, Robyn’s child, is dubious of the “woke” world and does not always appreciate her material/spiritual blessings – educational and otherwise – but Mom and Vi seek to acquaint her with the ‘real-world’ that awaits. Background and featured music supports rather than detracts from the story-telling.
The first three episodes had all the characteristics of successful contemporary entertainment aimed at mass audiences – rapid story-telling, abrupt shifts in lighting and setting, deft use of music to propel the viewers interest. The performers are a realistic mix of big city ethnicity.
This reviewer, a fan of the Queen (Dana Elaine Owens), approached the series with a mix of trepidation and hope. Trepidation: Worried that the atmosphere of Hollywood these days would crush the narrative power of the original 1980s series and the two motion pictures of the past decade. Hope: Producers and the leading lady would try to appeal to a mass audience, knowing that their potential audience (as reflected in the politics and culture of the last four decades) is increasingly divided.
So far, the series is a shade better than might have been expected. The New York City setting (as in the original series) keeps the stories reality-based and further removed from Hollywood glitz than expected.
Robyn, our heroine, is not afflicted with self-doubt. She knows who she is, what she’s done, and where she’d like to go. She has remarkable ability with weaponry and gadgets, and hopes to use a half-lifetime of skills to help those who are in trouble and who need a friend. She remembers vividly the good, the bad and the ugly of her past work – including wrongs perpetuated in her former “job.” She regrets (but carries on) dissembling with loved ones to hide her true avocation, past and present.
The opening episode after the Super Bowl drew massive audiences, which increased in the days after with life-streaming and other means. Episodes 2 (“Glory”) and 3 (“Judgment Day”) must have put a smile on the faces around the table for CBS.
The program has settled into a 7 p.m. (Central Time) slot. Some warnings: The story is violent, but not as graphic as might be allowed on contemporary television.
Queen Latifah rules the reboot of “The Equalizer” – probably for years to come.
Queen Latifah rules ‘The Equalizer’ – Probably for Good (Reviewing the new series) Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]() OKLAHOMA CITY – Data released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) shows that new COVID-19 infections in long-term care (LTC) facilities have fallen to less than 10 percent of rates reported in late 2020. As a result, many facilities are poised to loosen visitation restrictions, a recent press release from an advocacy group of LTC facilities asserted this week. From February 11-18 of 2021, there were 39 new COVID cases among residents, according to data reported by OSDH. (https://ift.tt/37OtbzG) In the last week of December 2020, that weekly total was 443. Additionally, test positivity rates continue to decline. In data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, far fewer Oklahoma counties are listed as “red.” (https://ift.tt/2O22ctx) In the last week of December 2020, 29 Oklahoma counties were listed as red counties for high nursing home positivity rates. In the week ending on February 17, just 11 counties were listed as red. Most skilled nursing facilities in Oklahoma have now held at least one vaccination clinic, and many have completed the three clinic process.
Nationally, upwards of 80 percent of LTC residents have now received at least one dose of the vaccine, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7005e2.htm#F1_down). Those vaccinations appear to be contributing to declining rates of COVID transmission in nursing homes that are far outpacing the rest of the population, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. (https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/is-the-end-of-the-long-term-care-crisis-within-sight-new-covid-19-cases-and-deaths-in-long-term-care-facilities-are-dropping/). Care Providers Oklahoma President and CEO Steven Buck attributed the declining COVID positivity rates in nursing facilities to a combination of vaccines and rigorous infection control procedures. “These vaccines are successfully driving down positivity rates in our facilities,” said Buck. “That, combined with the enormous investment our skilled nursing facilities have made in enhanced PPE, infection control training, and ‘hero pay’ for staff are all contributing to these positive outcomes. It is also important to give a nod to our neighbors for helping minimize community spread, which is the number one indicator of whether COVID-19 impacts long term care settings.” While regulatory authorities have directed skilled nursing facilities to limit visitation for safety reasons, Buck said he anticipates those restrictions to be slowly relaxed as positivity rates continue to decline. “Our providers follow CMS guidelines and the guidelines laid out by the Oklahoma Department of Health when it comes to visitation, so there will still be significant precautions in place for the foreseeable future, including health screenings, social distancing and mask wearing,” said Buck. “Still, we are quickly reaching a point where nursing homes are the safest environments available for seniors because of our high vaccination rates among our residents and our safety protocols. We are on the cusp of being able to restore more normal visitation patterns which are so important to family and residents.” Buck said that skilled nursing facilities are encouraging state and federal officials to define standards for safe visitation and taking input from residents, family members, and staff about how to best balance family and visitor engagement with safety procedures. “This has been such a challenging time for all of us, especially our residents and their families,” said Buck. “We appreciate the patience and support we have experienced, and we expect that patience to be rewarded with meaningful and positive changes in the very near future. Our providers are eager to welcome visitors back into their facilities and look forward to the upcoming guidance.” Many Facilities Poised to Loosen Visitation Restrictions as State and National Data show steep decline in Nursing Home COVID cases Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Select Committee on Redistricting and the House State and Federal Redistricting Committee met Thursday (February 25) at the State Capitol and adopted redistricting rules and guidelines as well as the parameters for public map submissions.
“The rules, guidelines and map submission parameters are another key component in the open and transparent redistricting process. Public input is key, and the response so far through town hall meetings has been great. I encourage all Oklahomans to get involved in the process by sharing their questions and concerns directly with their senator or sharing map submissions that comply with the guidelines adopted by the committee,” said Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle and Senate redistricting committee chair.
“A representative form of government rests on the premise that the governed will have a clear say in selecting those who serve them,” said Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond and House redistricting committee chair.
“I would encourage all Oklahomans to go online, view the maps of proposed legislative and congressional districts from the public, participate in our town halls and talk to those who represent them so they are assured they have a true voice in this process.”
The Senate rules can be viewed here:
https://ift.tt/3su18gX
The House rules can be viewed here:
https://ift.tt/3su18gX
The redistricting rules in the respective chambers of the Legislature address procedural operations of the redistricting committees.
The guidelines approved this week can also be viewed online.
The Senate guidelines can be studied here:
https://ift.tt/3su18gX
The House guidelines can be studied here:
https://ift.tt/3stsNi7
The guidelines outline the goals of the committees in drawing legislative boundaries with Census data.
The public map submission parameters include the technical criteria that maps must meet for submission. Additionally, map submissions are limited to Oklahoma residents only, and only one House and Senate map per person may be submitted.
Submissions are due by 5 p.m., Sunday, April 4.
The Senate’s full map submission parameters are here:
https://ift.tt/3qZoI4O
The House’s full map submission parameters are here:
https://ift.tt/3q12Qoq
Oklahomans can visit the Senate or House websites to contact their senator or representative. Questions and concerns relating to redistricting can also be emailed to redistricting@oksenate.gov or redistrictoklahoma2020@okhouse.gov .
Additionally, Senator Paxton, Representative Martinez and House and Senate redistricting committee staff will participate in a virtual town hall at 6 p.m. Monday, March 1, to provide an update and discuss these actions. The virtual town hall includes a training from a representative of Dave’s Redistricting App, a free redistricting mapping resource that Oklahomans can utilize to try their hand at drawing state legislative districts.
That meeting is open to the public and accessible online at: https://ift.tt/2P9GrZf .
Senate, House Redistricting Committees approve rules, guidelines and map submission process Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
Oklahoma City – The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) will host a recognition ceremony for the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in appreciation of the consulate’s large donation of face masks for Oklahoma state veterans at 9 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021 at the 45th Division Infantry Museum in Northeast Oklahoma City.
Consulate General Ahn Myung Soo is donating 10,000 KF94 face masks to be distributed to Oklahoma veterans. Masks will be shared with the veteran residents of the seven state owned and operated veteran centers and with various veterans’ service organizations to include those represented on the Oklahoma Veterans Commission. Representatives from other veterans’ service organizations in attendance will include the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart and the National Guard Association of Oklahoma who will also distribute masks to their members.
“We are honored to receive such a generous donation of face masks by Consulate General Soo,” said Joel Kintsel, ODVA executive director. “The KF94 masks are very similar to the N95 masks in that they offer a high-level of protection which boosts our confidence in distributing them to our state veterans.”
The masks originate in Korea with ‘KF’ standing for Korean filter and ‘94’ representing a 94 percent standard of filtering out airborne particles. The disposable masks have an adjustable bridge that can be manipulated to get a secure fit over the nose bridge and side flaps contouring the face.
Soo will travel to Oklahoma from the consular in Houston, Texas, where he oversees a jurisdiction of five south central states including Oklahoma.
About ODVA: The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs provides resources and services to military veterans residing in the state of Oklahoma including assistance with state and federal veterans’ benefits, disability claims, burial and survivor benefits, healthcare, employment, education, suicide prevention, entrepreneurship and veteran-owned businesses, women veteran services and veterans in agriculture.
ODVA also owns and operates seven nursing homes throughout Oklahoma for veterans needing long-term care. To learn more, visit www.odva.ok.gov.
Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs to host Friday, February 26 recognition ceremony for Korean Consulate General Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK ![]()
Staff Report
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Carri Hicks has cleared the first legislative hurdle to keep individuals from being unnecessarily punished for not appearing in court when they are incarcerated or detained by law enforcement.
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 44 Tuesday (February 23) to dismiss any charges or warrants for such individuals — a move the Oklahoma City Democrat says will help stop the unfair practice.
“When someone is in jail or police custody and aren’t allowed to appear in court, that individual shouldn’t be punished with a warrant or additional charges,” Hicks said. “This is a necessary change to drop the fines for a situation the individual has no control over.”
S.B. 44 requires any charges or warrants issued for failure to appear in court to be dismissed upon the defendant showing the court that he or she was incarcerated or otherwise detained by law enforcement at the time of the failure to appear.
The bill is now on the Senate floor.
Hicks’ bill ‘to stop unfair issuing of court charges/warrants’ goes to Oklahoma Senate floor Click on the headline to read the full article at CapitolBeatOK |
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