Oklahoma Supreme Court moves into a new building

May 31, 2011

Oklahoma: The Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals have started their move into a new building and expect judges and justices to be fully moved by July. The move was initiated by Justice Yvonne Kauger who, then serving as chief justice, in 1997 addressed a joint session of the Legislature and asked for a separate building to house the two courts. The building she wanted was then housed by the Oklahoma Historical Society, but in 2005 they moved to the Oklahoma History Center. The courts' move prompted an addition to the building and further renovations in order to remove asbestos and bring it into compliance with standing building codes. The total cost was $44.2 million, all paid for through bond sales. As far as the current court housing on the second floor of the capitol goes, the state House of Representatives and Senate plan to take over the floor, all except for the courtroom itself, that is. It will remain in control of the Supreme Court, Kauger said, "That’s sacred, holy ground as far as I’m concerned."