HB 3242 Summary

• County sheriffs in Oklahoma may enter private contracts to locate and notify persons of outstanding misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrants, administered by a statewide association of county sheriffs.

• Contractors are authorized to accept warrant payments through multiple methods including phone, mail, internet, and various payment forms (checks, money orders, credit/debit cards).

• Payments collected by contractors must be remitted to the court clerk within 15 days, and payment in lieu of court appearance constitutes a guilty finding and waives jury trial rights.

• An administrative cost of 30% of the outstanding warrant amount, fine, and assessments shall be added and is not waivable except by court order; this cost compensates the contractor and administering association.

• The act applies to misdemeanor warrants, traffic bail bond proceedings, failure-to-pay warrants in criminal cases, and warrants allowing resolution by payment without personal court appearance, and becomes effective November 1, 2010.