OklahomaCourts could consider other abuse by defendants in domestic violence cases
For criminal cases involving domestic violence or abuse, the text allows relevant evidence of another act by the defendant and requires prosecutors to share it before trial.
What it does
In a criminal case involving domestic violence or abuse, another act of abuse by the defendant may be admitted as evidence and considered when relevant.
When prosecutors plan to use evidence under this rule, they must share it with the defendant at least 15 days before trial, unless the court allows more time for good cause.
Argument forConsidering relevant evidence of other abuse could help jurors assess the facts in cases involving domestic violence or abuse.
Argument againstJurors could give another abuse incident too much weight when deciding a different issue in the case.
More detail
In a criminal case involving domestic violence or abuse, another act of domestic violence or abuse by the defendant may be admitted as evidence and considered when relevant. The case must accuse the defendant of an offense involving domestic violence or abuse. The term covers controlling, coercive, or threatening behavior, violence, or other abuse against a person in a relationship specified in Oklahoma law. Abuse may be psychological, physical, sexual, economic, or emotional. The evidence may be considered only for a matter to which it is relevant. This section does not limit evidence allowed under other laws or rules. The text sets November 1, 2026, as the effective date.
The state's attorney must disclose evidence the state intends to offer under this section to the defendant. This applies when the state intends to offer evidence under this section in a criminal case involving domestic violence or abuse. Disclosure must include witness statements or a summary of expected testimony. The court may allow disclosure later for good cause. Disclosure is due at least 15 days before trial, or at a later time allowed by the court for good cause. The text sets November 1, 2026, as the effective date.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 14Filed with Secretary of StateLatest
- Vote recorded Veto Override No Emergency. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14Measure returned to House
- May 14Veto overridden: Ayes: 41 Nays: 5Major
- May 6To Senate
- Vote recorded Veto Override Without Emer. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Veto overridden: Ayes: 93 Nays: 0Major
- May 4Vetoed 05/01/2026Major
- Apr 28Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 28Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- Apr 28Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- Apr 28Referred for enrollment
- Apr 28Engrossed measure signed, returned to HouseMajor
- Apr 28Measure passed: Ayes: 40 Nays: 4Major
- Apr 28General Order, Considered
- Apr 16Placed on General Order
- Apr 14Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Judiciary. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Second Reading referred to JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 12Coauthored by Representative Hefner
- Mar 12First ReadingMinor
- Mar 12Engrossed, signed, to SenatePassed Senate
- Mar 11Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 91 Nays: 0Passed House
- Mar 11General Order
- Feb 24CR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Judiciary And Public Safety Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Authored by Senator Gollihare (principal Senate author)
- Vote recorded Civil Judiciary Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Coauthored by Representative(s) Deck
- Feb 12Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Civil JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 4Referred to Civil JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 4Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety OversightMinor
- Feb 4Withdrawn from Rules Committee
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Representative Moore
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
- May 14Filed with Secretary of StateLatest
Criminal Justice