Oklahoma is a decentralized state, meaning that delinquency services are organized at both the state and county level in Oklahoma. The Office of Juvenile Affairs, Department of Juvenile Justice Services oversees juvenile detention and contracts for service from a range of providers. However, facilities are created and operated by county government.

How is detention organized? 

The Juvenile Code requires every county board of commissioners to provide for secure detention services and designates specific methods for meeting this requirement.  The  Office of Juvenile Affairs, Department of Juvenile Justice Services (OJA/DJJ) oversees a State Plan for Juvenile Detention Services and is the state agency responsible for standards certification for all secure detention facilities.

Under the Oklahoma Juvenile Code (section 7303-4.6(B)), a court may defer delinquency proceedings for 180 days for any youth that has not been previously adjudicated delinquent, is currently charged with a misdemeanor, submits a guilty plea, and if the youth and their parent or legal guardian agree to participate in a court-approved alternative program for first-time offenders.

Oklahoma’s Victim Bill of Rights specifically extends rights to victims of juvenile violence, including the right to be notified concerning an alleged juvenile offenders' identity and address and to be notified of hearings, the right to attend juvenile court hearings.

The Department of Juvenile Justice Services, within the Office of Juvenile Affairs, provides probation services in 73 counties. Canadian, Comanche, Oklahoma, and Tulsa counties have Juvenile Bureaus that provide intake and probation services.

A single set of state standards governing all juvenile probation practice currently does not exist.  As a result, county hiring requirements largely determine hiring requirements in the Bureau-operated offices while OJA/DJJ staff are subject to state requirements.

Juveniles are committed to the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Department of Juvenile Justice Services (OJA/DJJ). By statute, the Department of Juvenile Justice Services must not place a youth under 10 years of age in an institution maintained for delinquent children.

The Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) makes residential discharge decisions for youth in its custody based on its determination that there is a reasonable probability that residential care is no longer necessary, either for the rehabilitation and treatment of the youth, or for the protection of the public.

The Department of Juvenile Justice Services, within the Office of Juvenile Affairs, administers all aftercare/parole/reintegration services for youth committed to their custody, including commitments to the Office of Juvenile Affairs, Department of Juvenile Justice Service from counties with Juvenile Bureaus. Where Juvenile Bureaus exist, the Bureau is responsible for aftercare services, unless the court orders OJA supervision services upon release.

Oklahoma’s purpose clause is rooted in Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) philosophies.  The BARJ movement advocates that juvenile courts give balanced attention to three primary interests: public safety, individual accountability to the victims and community, and the development in offenders of those skills necessary to live law-abiding and productive lives.

Lower Age: None specified

Upper Age: 17

Extended Age : 18  

By statute, Oklahoma is required to have a court intake risk-assessment for children alleged or adjudicated to be delinquent and structured decision-making instruments utilizing risk-assessment, offense, needs-assessment, and other appropriate criteria for determining the imposition of appropriate specific sanctions for youth adjudicated delinquent or youth who have violated a condition of probation or parole.