By : Journal Record Staff//June 2, 2026//
Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation creating new requirements for pretrial risk assessments and release decisions in Oklahoma courts. (Deposit Photos)
Oklahoma courts to use risk assessments for pretrial release decisions
Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation creating new requirements for pretrial risk assessments and release decisions in Oklahoma courts. (Deposit Photos)
By : Journal Record Staff//June 2, 2026//
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed Senate Bill 1618, creating the Public Protection Act and establishing new requirements for how Oklahoma courts evaluate defendants for pretrial release.
The legislation requires courts to use validated risk assessments and public safety reporting tools when determining release conditions. The assessments are intended to help judges evaluate the likelihood that a defendant will commit additional crimes, fail to appear in court or otherwise pose a threat to public safety.
Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, who carried the bill in the House, said courts have lacked consistent tools and data to identify high-risk offenders before release and that the legislation is designed to provide judges with more reliable information.
“When someone is arrested for a crime, one of the first questions should be whether releasing that individual poses a risk to the public,” Harris said. “For too long, courts have lacked consistent tools and data to identify high-risk offenders before they’re released, which can have significant consequences for victims and communities. The Public Protection Act will protect communities by giving judges better information to make informed decisions and preventing dangerous criminals from slipping through the cracks.”
Under the law, courts must consider evidence-based risk assessments when setting release conditions. The measure also establishes reporting requirements that will provide lawmakers, courts and the public with additional information on pretrial outcomes and reoffending rates.
Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville and the bill’s Senate author, said the law balances public safety with fair and consistent treatment of defendants by incorporating criminal history and offense severity into release decisions.
Supporters say the measure is intended to improve transparency and accountability in Oklahoma’s pretrial release system while helping courts identify defendants who may present a greater risk to communities.
The Public Protection Act takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
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