Civil courts hear civil matters—which are generally lawsuits regarding disputes between persons or entities in which money, property, or personal rights under the law are at issue. Civil matters are distinguishable from criminal matters, which generally involve a city, state, or federal government prosecuting a person or entity for the commission of a crime.
In Oklahoma, civil courts are responsible for adjudicating non-criminal disputes between parties, which may include individuals, businesses, or other entities. These disputes often involve issues such as contracts, property, personal injury, family law, and other matters where the parties seek monetary damages, equitable relief, or the enforcement of legal rights. Unlike criminal cases, where the government prosecutes violations of criminal law, civil cases are typically initiated by a plaintiff seeking remedy for a perceived wrong by a defendant. The civil court system in Oklahoma includes Small Claims Court for minor monetary disputes, District Courts for general civil matters, and specialized courts like Family and Probate Courts for specific types of cases. Appeals from these courts can be taken to the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals and, in some cases, to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.