The majority of the judiciary in Oklahoma is composed of Judges of the District Court. Often these Judges serve as the first contact a party may have with the judicial system. District Court Judges hear both civil and criminal matters, and they are the backbone of the judiciary. Appeals from the District Courts in civil matters are to the Oklahoma Supreme Court; appeals in criminal matters from these courts are to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals

Nine Presiding Judges are elected by their peers to assist in the administration of Oklahoma's trial courts. These judges, representing separate geographic areas, meet monthly with members of the Supreme Court and Court of Criminal Appeals to discuss the administration of justice and topics, trends and developments affecting Oklahoma's judiciary. These meetings provide an effective forum for exchanging information by and between the trial and appellate judges.