A. Notwithstanding any other section of law, the county sheriffs of any Oklahoma county may contract with a statewide association of county sheriffs to administer contracts with third parties attempting to locate and notify persons of their outstanding misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrants. County sheriffs contracting with a statewide association of county sheriffs for the administration of third-party contracts may assign their rights and duties regarding these contracts to the association.

B. A person may make payment directly to the court, as allowed by law, or the contractor shall be authorized to accept payment on misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrants by various means including, but not limited to, payment by phone, mail, or Internet, and in any payment form including, but not limited to, personal, cashier’s, traveler’s, certified, or guaranteed bank check, postal or commercial money order, nationally recognized credit or a debit card, or other generally accepted payment form. Any payment collected and received by the contractor shall be paid within fifteen (15) days to the court clerk of the entity that issued the outstanding misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant.

C. As provided for by this section, a person may pay in lieu of appearance before the court and such payment accepted by the court shall constitute a finding of guilty as though a plea of nolo contendere had been entered by the defendant as allowed by law and shall function as a written, dated, and signed plea form acceptable to the court. Such payment shall serve as a written waiver of a jury trial.

D. The court shall release the outstanding misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant upon receipt of all sums due pursuant to said warrant including the misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant, scheduled fine or sum due, all associated fees, costs and statutory penalty assessments, and the administrative cost pursuant to Section 514.5 of this title.

E. The provisions of any contract entered into by a county sheriff shall be administered by a statewide association of county sheriffs in Oklahoma.

F. The provisions of this section and Section 514.5 of this title shall be applicable to:

1. Any misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant issued or relating to any proceeding pursuant to the State and Municipal Traffic Bail Bond Procedure Act;

2. Any misdemeanor or failure-to-pay warrant issued that allows a defendant to resolve the matter by payment in lieu of a personal appearance in court; and

3. Any failure-to-pay warrant issued in a criminal case.

Added by Laws 2003, c. 254, § 1, eff. July 1, 2003. Amended by Laws 2005, c. 208, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2005; Laws 2010, c. 87, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2010; Laws 2018, c. 147, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2018.