Washington County Criminal Defense & Court Guide

Washington County District Court in Bartlesville

Washington County criminal cases in the state court system are handled at the Washington County Judicial Center, 420 S. Johnstone Avenue in Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74003. The Court Clerk's office maintains the District Court records and the District Attorney's Office is also located in the courthouse.

Washington County Is Part of the 11th Judicial District

Washington County is part of Oklahoma's 11th Judicial District. The District Attorney's Office for District 11 serves both Washington and Nowata Counties, although a criminal prosecution filed in Washington County remains a Washington County District Court case.

Washington County has a District Judge, an Associate District Judge, and two Special Judges who handle different types and stages of cases. The judge assigned to a particular hearing depends on the case, the kind of proceeding, and where the case is in the process.

Judges Who Hear Criminal Cases in Washington County

The judges who hear criminal cases in Washington County are:

District Judge

• Honorable Linda Thomas, District Judge, Criminal Felony Docket

Associate District Judge

• Honorable Russell Vaclaw, Associate District Judge, Criminal Felony Docket, Protective Orders

Special Judges

• Honorable Kyra Franks, Special Judge, Preliminary Hearings and Expungements
• Honorable Jared Sigler, Special Judge, Arraignments, Misdemeanors, Juvenile Matters, and Preliminary Hearings

Checking a Washington County Case on OSCN and ODCR

Washington County District Court cases can be searched online through OSCN.net and ODCR.com. You can search by case number or a person's name and review the docket for filings, court dates, orders, and other entries.

The docket is useful, but short entries and court abbreviations do not always explain what happened at a hearing or what needs to happen next. Check the online docket if you have questions and discuss anything you do not understand with your attorney.

What Happens After a Washington County Criminal Case Is Filed?

What happens next depends on whether the case is a felony or misdemeanor and how far it has progressed. A felony case can involve bond issues, an initial appearance, a preliminary hearing conference, a preliminary hearing, later pretrial settings, motions, plea proceedings, trial, and sentencing. A misdemeanor case follows a different path and does not include a preliminary hearing.

Not every case goes through every possible setting. The current docket, court paperwork, and status of the case will tell Rob much more than simply knowing the charge that was originally filed.

Washington County Cases and Cherokee Nation Jurisdiction

Washington County lies within the Cherokee Nation Reservation. Cherokee Nation jurisdiction becomes an issue when the facts of the case bring tribal jurisdiction into play, and the analysis turns on where the alleged offense occurred, the tribal status of the defendant and alleged victim, and the nature of the charge.

Rob is admitted to practice in Cherokee Nation District Court and all Oklahoma state courts. If the facts raise a legitimate jurisdiction issue, he can evaluate whether the case belongs in Washington County District Court, Cherokee Nation court, or another court with jurisdiction over the prosecution.

If Someone Is in the Washington County Jail

The Washington County Correctional Facility is located at 611 SW Adams Blvd. in Bartlesville. The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides an online inmate search that shows people currently in custody and can help a family member confirm whether someone is being held there.

A person who has just been arrested may have limited access to information or may not be able to contact a lawyer easily. A spouse, parent, adult child, or other family member can contact Henson Law Firm with the person's name and whatever information is available.

Before the Next Washington County Court Date

Check the current docket and your most recent paperwork before the next court appearance. Keep the case number, charging documents, bond paperwork, and anything else you have received together so the information can be reviewed when necessary.

Court dates and hearing assignments can change, so check the current docket and your most recent paperwork before the next appearance. If the judge gave you a new court date at an earlier hearing, keep that information and use the online docket to confirm what is currently scheduled.

If You Are Out of Jail on Bond

If you have been released on bond, read the bond conditions carefully and follow them while the case is pending. Restrictions involving travel, reporting, testing, weapons, contact with another person, or other conduct can create additional problems if they are violated.

If you do not understand a condition, ask before acting. The actual bond order entered in your case controls, not what another person was allowed to do in a different case.

If Law Enforcement Wants to Question You

A pending criminal case does not prevent police or investigators from trying to obtain additional statements or evidence. If law enforcement wants to question you about the alleged offense or another suspected offense, do not answer questions and ask to speak with your attorney.

Trying to explain your way out of the situation before you know what evidence the police already have can make the case harder to defend. Statements you make during an investigation can later be used by the prosecution.

Criminal Charges Henson Law Firm Handles in Washington County

The specific charge determines what the prosecution has to prove, the possible punishment, and which factual and legal issues need to be addressed. Felony, misdemeanor, DUI, drug, assault, theft, burglary, gun, and sex crime allegations can involve very different evidence and defense issues even when they are filed in the same courthouse. Henson Law Firm handles a broad range of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases in Washington County. Related information includes:

• Felonies
• Misdemeanors
• DUI
• Drug Crimes
• Assault and Battery
• Theft Crimes
• Burglary
• Gun Crimes
• Sex Crimes

Useful Washington County Court and Custody Resources

The Washington County Court Clerk provides District Court information and links to both OSCN and ODCR for online case searches. The county's website also provides the courthouse location, court contacts, and current information about Washington County judges.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office provides information about the Correctional Facility and a searchable list of people currently in custody. Those resources can help a family member confirm the person's custody status.

Hiring Henson Law Firm for a Washington County Case

Henson Law Firm's only office is in downtown Tulsa, but Rob represents clients whose criminal cases are pending in Washington County. Initial consultations normally begin by telephone, with in-person and video meetings available when appropriate.

If you have the person's name, the charge, case number if available, custody status, and next court date, that is a good place to begin. You should still contact Rob if you do not have all of that information yet.

Learn More About Where We Practice

Rob represents clients in criminal cases in Tulsa and throughout Northeast Oklahoma. The Where We Practice page provides information about the district, municipal, and tribal courts where Henson Law Firm accepts criminal matters.

If the issue involves whether a Washington County case belongs in state court or Cherokee Nation court, the firm's Cherokee Nation Criminal Defense resource provides more focused information about representation in that court system.