Okla. Stat. tit. 19, § 19-514.4v1

Payment to court or contractor - Payment in lieu of court

appearance.

A. Notwithstanding any other section of law, the county

sheriffs of any Oklahoma county may contract with a statewide

association of county sheriffs to administer contracts with third

parties attempting to locate and notify persons of their outstanding

misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrants. County sheriffs contracting

with a statewide association of county sheriffs for the

administration of third-party contracts may assign their rights and

duties regarding these contracts to the association.

B. A person may make payment directly to the court, as allowed

by law, or the contractor shall be authorized to accept payment on

misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrants by various means including,

but not limited to, payment by phone, mail, or Internet, and in any

payment form including, but not limited to, personal, cashier’s,

traveler’s, certified, or guaranteed bank check, postal or

commercial money order, nationally recognized credit or a debit

card, or other generally accepted payment form. Any payment

collected and received by the contractor shall be paid within

fifteen (15) days to the court clerk of the entity that issued the

outstanding misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant.

C. As provided for by this section, a person may pay in lieu of

appearance before the court and such payment accepted by the court

shall constitute a finding of guilty as though a plea of nolo

contendere had been entered by the defendant as allowed by law and

shall function as a written, dated, and signed plea form acceptable

to the court. Such payment shall serve as a written waiver of a

jury trial.

D. The court shall release the outstanding misdemeanor or

failure-to-pay warrant upon receipt of all sums due pursuant to said

warrant including the misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant,

scheduled fine or sum due, all associated fees, costs and statutory

penalty assessments, and the administrative cost pursuant to Section

514.5 of this title.

E. The provisions of any contract entered into by a county

sheriff shall be administered by a statewide association of county

sheriffs in Oklahoma.

F. The provisions of this section and Section 514.5 of this

title shall be applicable to:

1. Any misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant issued or relating

to any proceeding pursuant to the State and Municipal Traffic Bail

Bond Procedure Act;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 19. Counties and County Officers Page 229

2. Any misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant issued that allows

a defendant to resolve the matter by payment in lieu of a personal

appearance in court; and

3. Any failure-to-pay warrant issued in a criminal case.