Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 10A-1-4-503: Conduct of hearings

A. All cases initiated by the filing of a petition alleging

that a child is deprived shall be heard separately from the trial of

other cases against adults. The adjudicative hearings and hearings

for termination of parental rights shall be conducted according to

the rules of evidence. All other hearings and proceedings conducted

pursuant to the Oklahoma Children’s Code shall be informal and the

rules of evidence shall not apply.

1. a. Except as otherwise provided by this paragraph, all

deprived proceedings shall be private unless

specifically ordered by the judge to be conducted in

public, but persons having a direct interest in the

case shall be admitted, except as otherwise determined

by the court.

b. To the extent that deprived proceedings involve

discussion of confidential information from any child

abuse or neglect report and record, or any information

obtained from the Department of Human Services

concerning a child or family who is receiving Title

IV-B child welfare services, foster care or adoption

assistance pursuant to Title IV-E of the Social

Security Act (42 U.S.C. 678 et seq.), the

confidentiality requirements of those programs apply.

Accordingly, such information shall not be discussed

in open court. To the extent that confidential

information is relevant to the proceedings, it must be

discussed in the court’s chambers or some other

restricted setting, and the pertinent sections of the

transcript shall be kept confidential.

2. Stenographic notes or other transcript of the hearings shall

be kept as in other cases, but they shall not be open to inspection

except by order of the court or as otherwise provided by law.

3. Uniform orders shall be used by the court in all deprived

proceedings. The forms shall be prescribed and published by the

Administrative Office of the Courts. The Supreme Court Juvenile

Justice Oversight and Advisory Committee, the District Attorneys

Council, and the Department shall assist in the development of the

orders. In addition to the findings and determinations required to

be made by the court pursuant to the Oklahoma Children’s Code, the

forms shall include a section which will require the court to

memorialize the recommendations of the parties and participants made

at the hearing as it relates to custody or placement of the child or

children.

4. If authorized by the court, any proceeding held pursuant to

the Oklahoma Children’s Code may be conducted via teleconference

communication; provided, that when a parent or child appears for a

proceeding via teleconference communication, the attorney

representing that parent or child shall personally appear at the

hearing. For purposes of this paragraph, “teleconference

communication” means participation in the hearing by interactive

telecommunication, including telephonic communication by the absent

party, those parties present in court, the attorneys and others

deemed to be necessary participants to the proceeding including, but

not limited to, foster parents and facility staff where a child may

be receiving care or treatment. This paragraph shall also apply to

proceedings brought pursuant to the Inpatient Mental Health and

Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act when the subject child is

alleged or has been adjudicated to be a deprived child.

B. A child shall not refuse to be a witness in a hearing to

determine whether or not the child is deprived. The testimony of

the child may be given as provided by this part or as otherwise

authorized by law for the protection of child witnesses.

C. A decision determining a child to be deprived must be based

on sworn testimony and the child must have the opportunity for

cross-examination unless the facts are stipulated.