Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 10A-1-8-103

A. Any judge who is assigned to hear juvenile cases in counties

having a population in excess of eighty thousand (80,000) and where

funding is available may appoint a suitable person or persons to act

as referee or referees on a full-time or part-time basis, to hold

office at the pleasure of the judge. Referees shall be licensed to

practice law in this state and shall be specially qualified for

their duties. Reasonable compensation shall be fixed by the

presiding judge of the administrative district.

B. All referees are subject to the administrative authority and

assignment power of the chief judge of the juvenile court of the

county. The duties and powers of referees shall be to hear and

report all matters assigned by the chief juvenile judge and to

recommend findings of fact, conclusions of law, temporary and

interim orders, and final orders of judgment.

C. 1. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the referee shall

provide a copy in writing of the recommended findings, conclusions,

and orders to the parties, counsel, and the referring judge

instanter.

2. Unless stayed by order of the referee or the reviewing

judge, all orders of a referee shall become immediately effective

and shall continue in full force and effect until vacated or

modified upon rehearing by order of the reviewing judge. Any order

entered by a referee becomes a final order of the reviewing court

upon expiration of three (3) judicial days following its entry,

unless a review was ordered or requested. The chief judge of the

juvenile court may establish requirements that any or all

recommended orders of the referee must be expressly approved by the

reviewing judge before becoming effective.

D. 1. Any party, as well as the Department of Human Services

when the child is in the legal custody of the Department, may file a

written objection to the referee’s recommendations within three (3)

judicial days after notice of the recommendations. The objection

shall clearly specify the reason and grounds for the objection. On

receipt of the objection, the reviewing court shall set a hearing

date for the review. The objecting party shall promptly provide a

copy of the objection and notice of the review to the Department and

all parties to the action. Failure to file a timely request for

district court review shall constitute a waiver of any and all

objections to the recommendations of the referee.

2. The review of the district court shall be limited to a

review of the record developed before the referee.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 10A. Children and Juvenile Code Page 210

3. The court shall accept the findings of fact of the referee

unless they are clearly erroneous. After a review of the objection,

the court may confirm or reconfirm the recommendations, reject, or

modify them in whole or in part, receive further evidence, or remand

them with instructions.