Comprehensive Case Review for Judicial Scorecard
STRICKLAND V. STEPHENS PRODUCTION CO. (2018)
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT’S PROBLEMATIC USE OF THE ‘SPECIAL LAW’ PROVISION
We’re starting to see a pattern here: The prohibition on special laws is frequently used by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to strike down laws it deems politically unpalatable.
Ryan Haynie | August 1, 2024
GIBBY V. HOBBY LOBBY STORES, INC. (2017)
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT FINDS (YET ANOTHER) WAY TO MAKE POLICY
Oklahoma has a state legislature. It passes laws. This is foundational to representative government and based in popular sovereignty. But often the Oklahoma Supreme Court doesn’t like it.
Ryan Haynie | August 15, 2024
TORRES V. SEABOARD FOODS, LLC (2016)
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT CONFUSES ISSUES TO ACHIEVE ITS FAVORED RESULT
Several decisions of the Oklahoma Supreme Court are not only bad as a matter of policy, but also are bad as a matter of law. Many of the justices are simply not skilled at judging.
Ryan Haynie | September 9, 2024
2024 Judicial Scorecard
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OKLAHOMA V. ZIRIAX (2020)
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT WEAKENS ELECTION INTEGRITY, LEGISLATURE FORCED TO FIX IT
With its illegitimate activism in 2020, the Oklahoma Supreme Court nearly weakened election integrity. Fortunately, the Oklahoma Legislature stepped in to fix the Court’s blunder.
Ryan Haynie | October 4, 2024
OKLAHOMA CALL FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE V. DRUMMOND (OKLAHOMA CALL I) (2023)
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT LEGISLATES ON ABORTION
After the Dobbs decision, abortion advocates asked state courts to exercise raw judicial power. Unsurprisingly, those advocates found an ally in the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Ryan Haynie | September 9, 2024
OKLAHOMA CALL FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE V. DRUMMOND (OKLAHOMA CALL III) (2023)
TO UNDERSTAND THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT’S LATEST ABORTION RULING, READ THE DISSENTS
To understand the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s abortion jurisprudence, your best bet is to read the dissenting opinions. The majority opinion lacks substance and analysis, and the dissenting justices' arguments challenge the majority's interpretation of the law and highlight concerns about the court's competence. Ultimately, it is time for a change in the judicial nomination process to better align with the state's values.
Ryan Haynie | November 21, 2023
STATE CHAMBER OF OKLAHOMA V. COBBS (2024)
DESPITE ITS PRECEDENT, OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT ALLOWS MINIMUM-WAGE INITIATIVE TO PROCEED
Once again, it seems that the Oklahoma Supreme Court ignored its own precedent in order to reach a policy conclusion it preferred—without giving the public a good explanation of why. Are you seeing a pattern yet?
Ryan Haynie | July 24, 2024
OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS RISK MANAGEMENT TRUST V. MCALESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS (2019)
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT REWRITES AN INSURANCE CONTRACT
Many Oklahoma Supreme Court justices have an uncanny ability to find ambiguity in statutes and contracts where none exists. They consistently employ this special power to expand legal liability and assist plaintiffs in their quest for damages.
Ryan Haynie | August 7, 2024
STRICKLEN V. MULTIPLE INJURY TRUST FUND (2024)
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT STRUGGLES WITH BASIC VOCABULARY
The Oklahoma Supreme Court is legislating from the bench again. In this instance, the Court decided it would just completely change the meaning of a word.
Ryan Haynie | June 27, 2024
HAYES V. PENKOSKI (2024)
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT GETS IT RIGHT, STILL BLUNDERS
The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision to vacate a restraining order against a street preacher, while not perfect, is good news for those who speak their mind—especially online.
Ryan Haynie | June 14, 2024
BEASON V. I.E. MILLER SERVICES, INC. (2019)
TORT-REFORM CASE SHOWS HOW OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT ACTS LIKE A SUPER-LEGISLATURE
Setting policy is not the job of the judicial branch. And yet the Oklahoma Supreme Court continues to inject itself into the policymaking process.
Ryan Haynie | July 19, 2024
RITTER V. STATE (2022)
OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT SETS ITS OWN POLICY TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO MASK CHILDREN
The Oklahoma Supreme Court often makes rulings based on whatever its members feel justify their preferred outcome. Such was the case in a recent case on school masks.
Ryan Haynie | July 19, 2024
