FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 12, 2026 

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Attorney General’s opinion issued late yesterday confirms what this office has consistently maintained: under Oklahoma law and the Trust Indenture, detainee transportation between the Oklahoma County Jail and courthouse remains the statutory responsibility of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office. 

To quote the opinion: “So, while title 19, section 513.2 imposes a sheriff’s jail-related duties onto a jail trust, the trust may assume only those duties that it is authorized to carry out. As a result, the Trust Indenture dictates which of the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s duties were imposed upon the Jail Trust. It is clear from the Trust Indenture that transportation of jail inmates to and from the courthouse, and supervision of inmates while in the courthouse, were intentionally left to the Oklahoma County Sheriff.” 

Prior to the AG’s Opinion, the Presiding Judge of the Oklahoma County District Court ordered that the Sheriff’s Office shall continue transporting inmates facing Oklahoma County charges to the Oklahoma County Courthouse and Juvenile Justice Center until further order of the court or resolution of the dispute between the involved entities (The Board of County Commissioners, the Jail Trust and the Sheriff’s Office). The court also ordered the Sheriff’s Office to maintain custody and security of inmates during transport and throughout court proceedings in accordance with applicable law and established security procedures.The court’s ruling, as well as the AG’s Opinion, ensure transportation services continue without interruption so the criminal justice system can operate efficiently and safely for all involved. 

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