Evictions To Continue During Pause In Tulsa County Courthouse Proceedings

Even though most in-person proceedings at the Tulsa County Courthouse are on hold for a month due to COVID-19, that does not include eviction proceedings.

People being evicted need to show up and give their side, or they could be evicted from their home.

Evictions and small claims hearings will continue to be held during this time at the Family Center for Juvenile Justice. Housing advocates warn renters facing an eviction to not miss their hearings.

City and county leaders said canceling in-person proceedings at the Tulsa County Courthouse for the next month was a recommendation from the Tulsa Health Department.

However, hearings will continue as planned for eviction, small claims and juvenile cases at the Juvenile Justice Center.

"It stated that because the Justice Center allows for greater social distancing, they feel it will accommodate and meet the necessary safety requirements," Tulsa Housing Coordinator Kristin Maun said.

Maun said they're expecting to see an increase in eviction filings over the next couple of months. The eviction moratorium ends at the end of December, but it only covers renters who've been impacted financially by COVID-19 or a few other criteria.

"If you don't come to an eviction hearing, a default judgment will be entered against you, if you're a tenant, which means you basically already lose, " Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation Executive Director Katie Dilks said.

Dilks said if that happens, you can be evicted after 48 hours and you may also be ordered to pay your landlord.

Dilks and Maun said it's important to make it to your hearing and to ask for legal aid by calling 211 if you need it.

"They don't have to wait to receive a summons, they don't have to wait to miss a rent payment,” Maun said. “If they call now, they can get early intervention services, early, and hopefully that will help them address their housing issues and keep them stable during this public health crisis.”