Statute of Limitations Overview

Criminal SOL

Oklahoma has no criminal statute of limitations when DNA evidence is available to identify the perpetrator. Without DNA evidence, the following apply:

Child victims: Criminal SOL runs until the victim turns 45, giving substantial time for prosecution. For some serious felony offenses involving children, expanded criminal SOL applies.

Adult victims: 12 years from the date of discovery of the crime (discovery rule). Oklahoma Criminal SOL for adult rape without DNA evidence follows the 12-year discovery framework.

DNA exception: No criminal SOL applies if DNA evidence is available. Charges may be filed at any time based on DNA identification.

Civil SOL

Child survivors (Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 95): Oklahoma extended the civil SOL for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to the victim’s 45th birthday. This extended deadline took effect November 1, 2017. It is not retroactive: claims that were already time-barred before November 1, 2017 under the prior 2-year-from-majority rule are not revived.

Under prior law (applicable to claims already time-barred), survivors had only 2 years after turning 18 to file civil claims. The new law provides until age 45 for claims accruing after the effective date and claims that were not yet time-barred when the new law took effect.

Adult survivors: 2 years from the date of the incident OR 5 years after the perpetrator is released from incarceration, whichever is later. This alternative deadline provides additional time when a criminal conviction preceded the civil filing.

No general lookback window: Oklahoma has not enacted a broad revival window. Reform legislation eliminating the SOL entirely or creating a lookback window has been introduced in multiple legislative sessions since 2019 but has not become law. The absence of a lookback window bars many older claims even under the expanded framework.

Workplace sexual harassment: EEOC complaint must be filed within 300 days of the harassment.

Institutional Liability

Oklahoma law allows civil claims against schools, churches, youth organizations, employers, and other institutions for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention of abusers. Nix Patterson secured a $3.5 million judgment against an Oklahoma school district for 14 women abused by a teacher’s assistant. No criminal conviction is required for civil claims.

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Attorney Firms

(1) Nix Patterson, LLP

Location: Oklahoma offices (statewide); primary offices Austin TX and national
Phone: 512-328-5333
Website: https://nixlaw.com/oklahoma/sexual-abuse-lawyers/ | nixlaw.com/tulsa/sexual-abuse-lawyers/

Leading institutional abuse litigation firm with proven Oklahoma track record. Obtained $3.5 million judgment against Oklahoma school for 14 women abused by teacher’s assistant. Handles claims involving schools, religious organizations, youth organizations, and individual perpetrators statewide. Contingency fee, free consultation.

(2) McGuire Law Firm

Location: Oklahoma City
Phone: 405-513-5658
Website: https://kentmcguirelaw.com/oklahoma-city-sexual-assault-lawyer/

60+ years combined experience. Oklahoma City-based personal injury firm with dedicated sexual assault civil practice. Handles claims involving direct perpetrators and institutional defendants including employers and organizations with inadequate security. Free consultation, contingency fee.

(3) Bryan & Terrill Law

Location: Tulsa (statewide)
Website: https://bryanterrill.com/sexual-assault-rape-molestation/

Tulsa-based civil plaintiff firm handling sexual assault, rape, and molestation civil claims throughout Oklahoma. Detailed experience navigating Oklahoma’s civil SOL including the age-45 deadline and the 2-year/5-year adult framework. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(4) Stipe & Belote

Location: Oklahoma City (statewide)
Website: https://stipeinjurylaw.com/rape-sexual-abuse-lawyer/

Personal injury and civil rights firm in Oklahoma City handling rape and sexual abuse civil claims. Experienced with Oklahoma’s specific consent law framework including age-of-consent provisions and institutional liability claims. Free consultation, contingency fee.

(5) Herman Law

Location: National practice (active in Oklahoma)
Phone: 800-976-8552
Website: https://hermanlaw.com

Nationally recognized survivor-focused firm with 35+ years experience. Represents survivors throughout Oklahoma against institutional defendants including clergy, schools, and youth organizations. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

(6) Levy Konigsberg LLP

Location: National practice (active in Oklahoma)
Phone: 800-315-3806
Website: https://levylaw.com

Nationally recognized institutional abuse firm. $3B+ recovered for survivors. Active against Oklahoma Catholic dioceses, juvenile detention facilities, and other institutional defendants. Free confidential consultation, contingency fee.

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Important Context

Age-45 deadline is non-retroactive: Survivors whose claims were already time-barred under the prior 2-year rule before November 1, 2017 cannot use the new extended deadline. For survivors abused after approximately 1999 (who would have been under 18 on November 1, 2017 or had claims not yet expired), the age-45 deadline may apply. Confirm your specific situation with an attorney.

Oklahoma Catholic clergy: The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and Diocese of Tulsa have disclosed credibly accused priests. Claims involving these institutions should be evaluated by an attorney experienced in Catholic clergy abuse litigation.

Crisis resources: Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: 405-524-0700 | 24-hour hotline: 800-522-9054