Bill on Withdrawing Guilty Pleas Advances to Senate for Approval
OKLAHOMA CITY– Today, the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed House Bill 1066 with a bipartisan vote of 75-14. The bill, authored by Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, was approved on the House floor and will now head to the Senate for further consideration. “This bill simply formalizes the procedures already in place in our courts,” Manger said. “It ensures fairness and consistency in our criminal justice system while making certain that defendants clearly understand the timeframe for withdrawing a guilty plea.” HB1066 seeks to establish the process for withdrawing a guilty plea in Oklahoma courts, aligning with existing practices set by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to ensure uniformity and reliability in legal proceedings. This measure would also ensure that defendants who plead guilty in court fully understand they have ten days to request a withdrawal of their plea and enter a not guilty plea instead. Under HB1066, the request must include detailed reasons for withdrawal and a request for an evidentiary hearing. The bill aligns with existing Court of Criminal Appeals procedures, making the process clearer and more accessible for defendants. The bill received unanimous approval from the Public Safety Oversight Committee with a 11-0 vote before advancing to the House floor. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, has signed on as the Senate co-author of the legislation. HB1066 now advances to the Oklahoma Senate for further consideration. If passed and signed into law, it would take effect on Nov. 1, 2025.