Oklahoma Indigent Defense System and Norman Capital Trial Division

The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System's (OIDS) head office is located in Norman, OK. This office also includes a Capital Trial Division responsible for handling all death-sentenced defendants resulting from lawsuits filed against indigent clients. The OIDS is governed by a five-member board who are attorneys with criminal defense experience and licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma. The OIDS is neither appointed to nor assigned a trial case directly. But, the district court may appoint OIDS to represent the defendant on appeal if an appellate conflict of interest exists between the defendant and the county indigent defender. If the case is on appeal, OIDS may also be appointed in Oklahoma or Tulsa County to any criminal case if the defendant had a private attorney at trial. District court judges determine whether a defendant is indigent by applying standards developed by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. The defendant fills out a form about their assets, liabilities, and sources of income. If the judge determines the defendant is indigent, OIDS is appointed. If you have any questions about OIDS, please use the contact information on the right-hand side of the page.