OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, the Senate approved Senate Bill 261 to allow courts to terminate the parental rights of anyone who, after being properly notified of their court date and without good cause, does not show up for their jury trial. The measure, by Sen. Ron Sharp, is an effort to hold individuals in parental rights’ cases more accountable and help save time for backlogged courts.
“When someone requests a jury trial to fight for their parental rights, they need to show up or let their attorney know they can’t make it. To not do so is disrespectful to their child, the court, jury and attorneys,” said Sharp, R-Shawnee. “Our courts are so backlogged with cases that they don’t have the time to spare on continuing a trial, which they are required to do under current law, for someone who obviously doesn’t care. This bill will ensure that courts aren’t tied up in further proceedings and that taxpayer money isn’t wasted.”
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