Nowata County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Occupying a land area measuring 565.8 square miles, Nowata County is home to 9,460 people and is located in the northeastern part of Oklahoma. Its economy heavily relies upon cattle ranching and agriculture, and its county seat is the city of Nowata. The name is derived from the Delaware word “no-we-ta” which has the meaning of welcome or come here. The county's court system, which falls under Judicial District 11, is made up of a District Court and two Municipal Courts.

The city of Nowata is home to the Nowata County District Court, which serves as the county's main trial court with jurisdiction over a wide range of serious offenses such as arson, vandalism, kidnapping, possession of controlled substances, larceny, fraud, and unlawful carrying of firearms. In addition, it has appellate jurisdiction over the judgments passed in the Municipal Courts. Furthermore, the Municipal Courts in Nowata County are located in the cities of South Coffeyville and Nowata and are usually addressed as city courts. These courts hold hearings for minor state misdemeanors and violations of city ordinances, including zoning and noise infractions as well as traffic violations.

Nowata County has a higher number of reported crimes against property compared to other categories. The 2021 report from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation reveals that the crime rate in Nowata County stands at 43.36 per 1,000 people. The Court Clerks are entrusted with the responsibility of safekeeping the records of cases filed in the courthouses. Those interested can access publicly available records. Information about both criminal and civil cases, legal proceedings, and other court-related documents are accessible to the public under the Public Records Act. All aforementioned records are accessible except juvenile and adoption records. The types of records do in fact require a special court order or permission to gain access. Public court records can be viewed online through the On Demand Court Records (ODCR) platform or in person at the Clerk's office during regular business hours.

Nowata County residents have their legal requirements addressed by the judicial branch of government, which includes both District and Municipal Courts. While the Municipal Courts preside over cases within city limits, the District Court has jurisdiction in all criminal and civil matters. This two-tiered court system has proven to be effective in enforcing the laws and ensuring that the residents who reside in the county continue to feel safe while justice is being served. Moreover, individuals can conveniently access court records by either visiting the office of the recordkeeper or using the ODCR website.