New kind of specialized court proposed in Oklahoma for domestic violence cases

Lawmakers have given final approval to a new kind of specialized court for domestic violence cases.

House Bill 1121 lets district courts and some municipal courts establish a domestic violence program that streamlines the civil processes that come out of a domestic situation.

“There's a lot of aspects of domestic violence,” said state Rep. Ryan Martinez, R-Edmond. “There might be a criminal part. There might be child custody, you name it.”

If Gov. Mary Fallin signs the bill, it would let cases in the same domestic situation be assigned to the same judge. The family members involved could also be able to attend fewer court dates if hearings are scheduled together.