Prosecutor's Role

If the defendant feels they need to speak with an assistant city attorney concerning their court appearance, they should consider the following:

1. The assistant city attorney is the prosecuting attorney for the City of Norman. They do not represent the defendant and cannot give the defendant legal advice or advise them how to plead. For this type of assistance, the defendant must contact a private attorney.
2. The assistant city attorney does not determine the defendant's guilt or innocence; this is a function of the judge. However, they may be able to recommend a sentence based on the facts of the defendant's case and their prior record. The assistant city attorney will have a comprehensive record of the defendant's offense history.
3. Deferred Sentences - A deferred sentence may only be recommended in cases where the defendant has no prior offenses on their record. If a deferred sentence is recommended by the assistant city attorney and granted by the judge, the defendant will still have to pay fees and court costs.
4. The assistant city attorney cannot give time to pay on the fine, fee or the costs, only the judge can grant this extension. The defendant needs to be prepared to pay any fines, fees and costs that may be assessed at the time they appear in court. Additionally, the assistant city attorney cannot give the defendant a continuance on their court date. A continuance can only be granted by the court clerk.

The majority of all questions can be addressed on the defendant's court date. To meet with the assistant city attorney, the defendant should come to the Municipal Court at 3:00 p.m. on their scheduled court date.

PROCEDURES FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN NON-TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

In 1992, an Oklahoma law went into effect that allows a Municipal Court to assume jurisdiction from District Court of cases involving children under 18 years of age charged with violating non-traffic municipal ordinances. As a result of this law, the City of Norman has created the Juvenile Offender Program. The goal of the program is to reduce juvenile crime in Norman.

The juvenile defendants must appear within five days of the date of the violation for the purpose of scheduling a conference session with an assistant city attorney and a subsequent court date for appearance before a judge. In some violations, the defendant may elect to pay an administrative fine and costs and waive their right to court. (See table below) At the conference session, the assistant city attorney and the defendant agree on the mitigating factors that the defendant will do before their scheduled court date. These factors may include community service, attending a First Offenders Program, drug evaluations, drug testing, and letters of apology to parents and victims.

Juvenile Administrative Payments

Violation - 1st Offence / 2nd Offense

• Curfew - $285.00/ $335.00
• Tobacco - $185.00/ $285.00
• Littering - $285.00/ $335.00

Upon the defendant's appearance in court, the defendant may be fined or placed on probation depending on the nature of the violation, the defendant's past record, and the completion of the mitigating factors.

The program allows the community to become involved in youth offenses at an early stage and have a positive impact on the outcome. The Juvenile Offender Program is intended to be beneficial to the youth and serve as deterrent to future and continued undesirable activities.

Citizens with outstanding warrants may surrender any day Monday through Friday, prior to 3:00 p.m.