Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 10A-2-7-503: Delinquent children - Intent of Legislature - Powers

and duties of Office.

A. It is the intent of the Legislature of this state to provide

for the creation of all reasonable means and methods that can be

established by a state for:

1. The prevention of delinquency;

2. The care and rehabilitation of delinquent children; and

3. The protection of the public.

It is further the intent of the Legislature that this state, through

the Office of Juvenile Affairs, establish, maintain and continuously

refine and develop a balanced and comprehensive state program for

children who are potentially delinquent or are delinquent.

B. Except as provided in subsection C of this section, whenever

a child who has been adjudicated by the court as a delinquent child

has been committed to the Office of Juvenile Affairs, the Office

shall provide for placement pursuant to any option authorized by

paragraphs 1 through 7 of this subsection; provided, nothing in this

subsection shall be construed to establish a priority in regard to

the selection of an option or to mandate the exclusive use of one

particular option:

1. Place the child in a secure facility, including a collocated

secure facility, or other institution or facility maintained,

operated or contracted by the state for delinquent children if the

child has:

a. exhibited seriously violent, aggressive or assaultive

behavior,

b. committed a serious felony constituting violent,

aggressive and assaultive behavior,

c. habitually committed delinquent acts if such acts

would constitute felonies if committed by an adult,

d. committed multiple serious delinquent acts, or

e. violated any condition of probation or parole,

to the extent that it is necessary for the protection of the public.

For purposes of placement, all deferred prosecutions for serious,

habitual, violent, aggressive or assaultive crimes shall count

toward placement decisions;

2. Place the child in a facility maintained, operated or

contracted by the state for children, or in a foster home, group

home, transitional living program or community residential center;

3. Allow the child his or her liberty, under supervision, in an

independent living program;

4. Allow the child his or her liberty, under supervision,

either immediately or after a period in one of the facilities

referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this subsection;

5. Place the child in a state school for individuals with

intellectual disabilities, if the child is eligible for admission

thereto;

6. Place the child in any licensed private facility deemed by

the Office of Juvenile Affairs to be in the best interest of the

child; or

7. Place the child as provided by Section 2-2-804 of this title

and the Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of

Minors Act, if the delinquent child has been found by a court to be

in need of mental health or substance abuse treatment.

C. The Office shall place priority on the placement of

delinquent youth held in secure juvenile detention facilities.

D. Placement of a juvenile pursuant to this section or any

other provision of law shall be the responsibility of the Office of

Juvenile Affairs and shall occur as soon as reasonably possible

after adjudication and after the selected placement option becomes

available.

The court shall not have authority to require specific placement

of a juvenile in a time frame which would require the removal of any

other juvenile from such placement.