Oklahoma Watch v. State of Oklahoma

Case Number: cv-2025-1910

Court: Oklahoma County District Court

Clients: John Christopher Hallman, Oklahoma Watch

Background: In March 2025, Oklahoma Watch reporter John Christopher Hallman submitted a public records request to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety seeking access to “black box” data from a law enforcement vehicle that was involved in a fatal traffic accident in August 2023. Black boxes, also known as Event Data Recorders, provide information about a vehicle’s operation before, during, and after a crash.

An open records officer denied Hallman’s request, stating that the department was not required to release the black box data. 

On behalf of Hallman and Oklahoma Watch, Leslie Briggs, the Reporters Committee’s Local Legal Initiative attorney for Oklahoma, filed this lawsuit alleging that the state violated the Open Records Act and asking the Oklahoma County District Court to order state officials to turn over the requested information. 

From the lawsuit: “The public has an overriding interest in understanding fatal car accidents in which a law enforcement officer was involved. This interest outweighs any justification for keeping the records private as it reflects the public safety of entire communities and the conduct of those hired to protect them.”

Filings:

2025-08-04: Petition for relief for violations of the Oklahoma Open Records Act