JANUARY 2025 | 23 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff. office should give you a copy of the charging information. If your client is in custody, the court may have given them a copy prior to court. The information must contain the title of the action, the name of the court to which the information is presented and the name of the party.10 The information must also contain a statement outlining the charged offense, written in a way that “a person of common understanding” will know what they are charged with.11 Endorsement of witnesses is required at the time of filing the information. If the state wants to redact endorsements for witness safety, the district attorney’s office is required to ask the court prior to redaction.12 If your client’s case contains a charge involving rape, sodomy, sex crimes, sexual images, lewd or indecent conduct, pornography, child abuse or neglect, domestic abuse, kidnapping, extortion of a vulnerable victim, human trafficking or a similar offense, some documents may not be available for viewing on the Oklahoma State Courts Network website.13 You will be able to get document copies from either the district attorney or the court clerk. BOND If bond was not set prior to the initial appearance, you may be able to address the issue of bond. If bond was set prior, many courts will allow you to request bond reductions.14 However, some courts will require a written request and the bond reduction hearing to be set for a later date. Most counties follow a predetermined bond schedule,15 but several charges require the court to review the individual charges prior to setting bond.16 The district attorney’s office may present additional information about the circumstances relating to the charges as well as the defendant’s criminal history to the court for the setting of bond. Charges relating to violations of protective orders and domestic violence are not eligible for personal recognizance bonds. There are also some crimes for which a judge can order no bond.17 If bond is denied, the court must do a written finding of fact outlining
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