Senate Passes Bill Granting Law Enforcement Equal Right to Appeal Stand Your Ground Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, secured the Senate’s approval for Senate Bill 657 Wednesday. The measure authorizes an officer whose use of deadly force is found during any pretrial hearing or proceeding to be unjustified to appeal such ruling to the Court of Criminal Appeals within 10 days.

“This legislation will ensure that law enforcement officers have the same right to an appeal as any citizen,” Weaver said. “Every individual, whether a civilian or a law enforcement officer, should have the right to stand their ground and defend themselves when facing a threat to their life or safety. No one should be denied the ability to appeal the denial of that right, and today, we’ve taken the necessary steps to guarantee that fairness for our state’s law enforcement officers.”

Weaver’s measure also provides that if an appeal is not brought within 10 days of the ruling, the officer waives the right to immediate appeal of the ruling but does not waive any right to assert the claim at trial or upon direct appeal.

SB 657 is now eligible for consideration in the House of Representatives, where Representative Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, is carrying the measure.

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For more information, contact:

Sen. Darrell Weaver at 405-521-5569 or email Darrell.Weaver@oksenate.gov.