Chapter 36: Small Claims Procedure Act · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified August 3, 2026
In one sentenceCaps each side's trial time in an expedited actions case at 8 hours (extendable to 12 for good cause) covering jury selection through closing arguments, while excluding time spent on objections, bench conferences, and juror challenges from that limit.
1.Each side shall be allowed no more than eight (8) hours to complete jury selection, opening statements, presentation of evidence, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, and closing arguments. On motion and a showing of good cause by any party, the court may extend the time limit to no more than twelve (12) hours per side.
2.For purposes of this subsection, "side" means one or more litigants who have common interests on the matters with which the jury is concerned, and is not synonymous with "party", "litigant", or "person".
B.Time spent on objections, bench conferences, bills of exception, and challenges for cause to a juror shall not be included in the time limit set forth in subsection A of this section.
Amendment History
Added by Laws 2025, c. 311,s. 6, eff. 9/1/2025.
Plain-English Summary
Section 1780 puts a clock on expedited actions trials. Each side gets no more than 8 hours total to complete jury selection, opening statements, presenting evidence, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and closing arguments -- though on a motion showing good cause, the court can extend that to as much as 12 hours per side. For this purpose, "side" means one or more litigants who share common interests in the matters before the jury, and isn't necessarily the same as counting individual parties or litigants.
That clock doesn't run the whole time. Time spent on objections, bench conferences, bills of exception, and challenges for cause to a juror doesn't count against the time limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does each side get at trial under the Expedited Actions Act?
Up to 8 hours total, covering jury selection, opening statements, evidence, witness examination, and closing arguments.
Can that 8-hour limit be extended?
Yes -- up to 12 hours per side, if a party moves for it and shows good cause.
What does "side" mean for purposes of the time limit?
One or more litigants who share common interests in the matters the jury is deciding -- it isn't necessarily the same as counting individual parties or litigants.
Does time spent on objections count against my trial time?
No -- time spent on objections, bench conferences, bills of exception, and challenges for cause to a juror doesn't count toward the limit.
Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from
Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature.
Last verified August 3, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:8 hour trial time limit oklahomaexpedited actions act trial ruleswhat counts as a side jury trial12 O.S. § 1780