Okla. Stat. tit. 11, § 11-27-104

A. The number of judges for each municipal court shall be

determined by the governing body of the municipality where the court

is established. The judge of each municipal court shall be

appointed by the mayor of the municipality where the court is

established, with the consent of the municipal governing body. The

judge of any municipal court shall be licensed to practice law in

this state, except as provided for in subsections B and C of this

section. The judge shall serve for a term of two (2) years, said

term expiring on a date fixed by ordinance, and until his or her

successor is appointed and qualified, unless removed by the vote of

a majority of all members of the governing body for such cause as is

provided for by law for the removal of public officers. Any

appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term.

Nothing in the provisions of this section shall be construed to

prevent the judge from engaging in the practice of law in any other

court during the tenure of office. The judge shall be paid a salary

to be fixed by the municipal governing body and in the same manner

as other municipal officials or employees as determined by the

municipality. A municipal judge in a court not of record is not an

"officer" of the municipality pursuant to paragraph 6 of Section 1-

102 of this title and shall not be considered a state officer for

the purposes of Section 6 of Title 51 of the Oklahoma Statutes. All

municipal judges, including nonlawyer judges, are subject to the

code of judicial conduct and legal ethics.

B. In any municipality with a population of less than seven

thousand five hundred (7,500), the mayor, with the consent of the

governing body of the municipality, may appoint as judge:

1. An attorney licensed to practice law in this state;

2. A suitable person who resides in the county in which the

municipality is located or in an adjacent county; or

3. Beginning July 1, 2026, no person may be newly appointed

pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subsection as a municipal judge. A

municipal judge appointed pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subsection

prior to July 1, 2026, who has completed the requirements in

subsections D and F of this section, may continue to be reappointed.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 11. Cities and Towns Page 240

C. If the judge of the municipal court is not a licensed

attorney and has not complied with the education requirements

pursuant to subsection E of this section and the education

requirements pursuant to Section 18-101 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma

Statutes, the trial shall be to the court, and the court shall not

impose a fine of more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00), and shall not

order the defendant imprisoned except for the nonpayment of fines or

costs or both.

D. If the judge of the municipal court is not a licensed

attorney but has complied with the education requirements of

subsection F of this section and the education requirements pursuant

to Section 18-101 of Title 47 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the maximum

fine that may be imposed shall be Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

E. In order to impose the fine authorized by subsection D of

this section, a nonlawyer judge must, within a period not to exceed

the preceding reporting period in this state for mandatory

continuing legal education, complete courses held for municipal

judges which have been approved by the Oklahoma Bar Association

Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission for at least six (6)

hours of continuing education credit. Verification may be made by a

statement of attendance signed by the course registration personnel.

F. 1. Beginning July 1, 2026, any person currently appointed

or serving as a municipal judge shall have completed a certification

program as approved by the Oklahoma Municipal Judges Association.

The certification program shall have a minimum of twelve (12) hours

of continuing legal education approved by the Oklahoma Bar
a

statement of attendance signed by the course registration personnel.

F. 1. Beginning July 1, 2026, any person currently appointed

or serving as a municipal judge shall have completed a certification

program as approved by the Oklahoma Municipal Judges Association.

The certification program shall have a minimum of twelve (12) hours

of continuing legal education approved by the Oklahoma Bar

Association Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission to

include laws specific to municipal courts, trial evidentiary

matters, criminal cases eligible for municipal courts, and indigency

hearings.

2. Any person appointed as a municipal judge after July 1,

2026, shall have one (1) year from the date of appointment to

complete the certification program described in paragraph 1 of this

subsection.

G. If a municipal judge has not completed the training required

pursuant to subsection F of this section, the maximum fine that may

be imposed by the municipal court in all traffic and criminal cases

shall not exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00).

H. A copy of the Oklahoma Municipal Judge certification shall

be filed with the county clerk in the county in which the

municipality is located and with the municipal court clerk.