A new look at old warrants for arrest

Tens of thousands of arrest warrants are issued in Oklahoma County each year. All warrants involve criminal charges, but there’s a perception that they are only issued for serious crimes. Many warrants are issued to address administrative issues, so they are not always a reflection of serious criminal behavior.

In 2021, more than 15,000 bench warrants were issued due to failure to appear and pay. These individuals aren’t actively pursued, instead the warrant languishes in the system until the individual has a chance encounter with law enforcement. Often this happens in the form of a traffic stop.

Forgetting to pay a traffic ticket and not showing up for a court date could result in being arrested and taken to jail the next time you’re pulled over, even if it’s decades later.

Individuals who were not worth pursuing otherwise experience the unexpected complication of being booked into jail. In some instances, the original charges may be so old that the DA chooses not to pursue them due to lack of evidence. It’s quite an ordeal for a simple administrative issue.

Recent efforts to simplify the court system and avoid unnecessary complications include amnesty programs where people can pay their overdue fines and fees without additional penalties. Some jurisdictions fol- low a cite and release model where law enforcement informs individuals about their warrant and releases them with information on how to resolve it. There are also many communities around the U.S. who have dismissed decades old warrants in bulk and focused on civil responses. Dismissing old warrants would help simplify the legal process and alleviate the burden on the jail while also addressing the unforeseen complications caused by old warrants. A civil response to individuals who have not interacted with the legal system in several years and are not a threat to public safety would be more appropriate than a criminal one.

OCU Women’s Leadership event set

Oklahoma City University’s 12th annual Women in Leadership conference on April 25 invites attendees to explore what it takes to advance women to the next level in their careers and personal lives.

Under the theme “Evolve,” more than 400 participants are anticipated to attend the annual conference at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. This year’s conference will feature prominent TV journalist

Trial

From Page B5 threw objects and shot at passing vehicles. After being arrested due to a tip from a witness, they admitted to 26 incidents of throwing objects or shooting at cars and faced multiple charges. The primary issue in this case was that the defendant, who had been previously diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had raised an insanity defense to their charges.

“The Mock Trial competition is one of a kind for students, teachers and legal community volunteers,” OBA Mock Trial Committee Chair Jennifer Bruner Soltani said. “We congratulate the top eight teams for their achievements, and we are proud of all the Ada students who participated in the mock trial competition.”

Judge Shon Erwin served as presiding judge during the competition finals. Scoring judges were Dan Crawford, Judge Stacie Hixon, Mark Schwebke and Judge Jane Wiseman. The judges evaluated the students based on their familiarity with the case and the formulation of their arguments. Students received points for each phase of the trial, opening, direct and cross examination, closing argument and how well their witnesses responded. Teams were paired with volunteer attorney coaches.

Oklahoma City’s Academy of Classical Christian Studies’ team was coached by attorney Jennifer Stall and teacher Anne Risch. Team members were Kate Cheng, Jackson Clark, Jack Dodson, Ethan Kazenske, Maura Koehler, George Leydorf, Ben McDaniel, Jack Miller, Charlie Peterson, Nick Simon and Logan Spencer.

Gretchen Carlson, Prairie Surf Media founder and co-CEO Rachel Cannon, and consumer behavioral scientist and Vanderbilt professor Kelly Goldsmith. In-person conference registration is $225 (lunch and refreshments provided), virtual registration is $125 and can be made online at okcwomeninleadership.com or by calling Melissa Cory at (405) 208-5540. For more information, including speakers’ bios, visit okcwomeninleadership.com.

We energize life, strengthen our communities

At OG&E, we do more than energize a power grid. We energize life.

“Life” truly is everything. It’s where we work and live. It’s where our children go to school. It’s where we shop. It’s who we hang out with. It’s the lives of our customers, our neighbors, our friends. And OG&E has an impact on it all.

“We Energize Life” means we take our role very seriously in providing life-sustaining and lifeenhancing products and services, all while honoring our commitment to strengthen our communities. In fact, this is OG&E’s noble purpose.

We provide choices you demand and deserve by creating pricing options, home improvement opportunities and renewable energy programs. We strengthen our communities by volunteering more than 11,000 hours annually through partnerships with the United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and more. Since 2021, we have helped support 81 new or expansion economic development projects that attracted an estimated 10,000 jobs and more than $4 billion in outside investments.

We look to our future by continually enhancing and improving our power grid to shorten outages, increase reliability and maintain affordable rates.

And we energize our environment through sustainable energy sources, while reducing carbon emissions.

We energize a lot of things at OG&E. Or maybe, just one thing: we energize life.

Accomplished attorney, community leader makes a name for herself

As a young professional, Lauren Ottaway Johnson can list accomplishments from her 20s and 30s that many hope to achieve in their entire career.

An attorney in the Oklahoma City office of Crowe & Dunlevy, she assists clients as a member of the firm’s Private Wealth & Closely Held Business and Taxation Practice Groups. She focuses on wealth planning, taxexempt organizations, trusts and estates and taxation. In recognition of her experience in these areas, Lauren has been listed in Best Lawyers for her Trusts & Estates and Nonprofit/Char- ities Law practice since 2019. Last year, she was named as an Associate to Watch by Chambers & Partners in the publication’s High Net Worth Guide.

In addition to her legal work, Lauren devotes considerable time to serving her community. She serves on the United Way Emerging Leaders Steering Committee, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Resource and Development Committee, and various committees of the Junior League of Oklahoma City.

“I am honored to have been recognized for my contributions both professional-

From Page B1 exclusive social and networking opportunities.

For more information, visit okcballet.org/support/associate-board/.

OKCMOA Moderns is a dynamic group of Museum members, patrons, and rising business, civic, and social leaders committed to supporting the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and engaging with the art in Oklahoma City and beyond. The organization seeks to engage the community by providing an enriching and social atmosphere that creates personal connections between community and art. Anyone 21plus with an active museum membership at Individual or dual levels may join.

Artisans is the Young Professionals Group of

Arts Council Oklahoma City. Young professionals can connect with their peers who share their love of volunteerism and the arts in Oklahoma City. Artisans is open to Oklahomans ages 21-40. Through the dedication and enthusiasm of its members, Artisans is an integral part of Arts Council OKC’s programs and events.

For more information, visit artscouncilokc.com/ artisans.

The Young Professionals Board of Infant Crisis Services is comprised of 30 hardworking young adults, ages 25-40, each with specific talents and expertise in areas that help to grow and expand the organization and its mission.

Applications are available at infantcrisis.org/ about/ourpeople/#yp and are reviewed annually in October.

The CARE Center’s ly and within my community," said Lauren regarding her nomination as one of OKC FRIDAY’S Most Powerful Young Professionals. “I am passionate about being involved with causes I care about and giving back to my community.”

Lauren's dedication to providing exceptional legal services combined with her commitment to making a positive difference in her community makes her an invaluable asset at Crowe & Dunlevy. The firm is proud of all that she has achieved thus far and looks forward to seeing what else she will accomplish in the future.

Young Professionals Board is a group of inspiring individuals, ages 23-40, dedicated to supporting its mission of ending child abuse and championing prevention education efforts in Oklahoma.

To apply, go to carecenter-okc.org/support/ypboard.

The next generation of United Way leadership donors make up the Emerging Leaders Affinity Group. The young adults in this group not only contribute $500 or more annually, but they give back to the community through invested involvement and enthusiastic leadership.

Emerging Leaders participate in a variety of community volunteering activities, raising funds for partner agencies and providing meaningful engagement for clients ranging from children to senior adults. In addition, members enjoy networking with peers and learning from respected community leaders through educational opportunities throughout the year.

To learn more, visit unitedwayokc.org/getinvolved/giving/leadership-giving-association/ emerging-leaders.

Oklahoma Contemporary’s The Garde is an association of art lovers who want to network with other young professionals, enjoy bold and innovative social events and aspire to the tenets of the avantgarde.

As a member of The Garde, art enthusiasts will find deeper connections with Oklahoma Contemporary offerings and with one another within the Oklahoma City art community.

For more information, go to oklahomacontemporary.org/support/thegarde.

OMRF seeks volunteers for anti-aging study

When we think of signs of aging, most look to outward appearance. But Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientists have their minds on what’s happening inside our cells — and whether a diabetes drug may slow it.

OMRF physiologist Benjamin Miller, Ph.D., is investigating the potential of metformin, the world’s most-prescribed diabetes medication, to slow the biological process of aging. His team is seeking research volunteers ages 4075 without chronic disease to join the ongoing study.

Aging is a leading risk factor for diseases from cancer and cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer’s and dementia. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can reduce the

gener8tor supports city’s best startups

gener8tor’s mission is to be the best partner for a community to invest in their best and brightest. Thanks to partners coalesced by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and Selena Skorman, gener8tor’s first local hire, the community has been engaged for nearly two years in supporting Oklahoma City’s best and brightest startups.

gener8tor runs three annual programs focused on growing fledgling startups into economic drivers of tomorrow. The gener8tor team is now four-strong in Oklahoma City; Selena Skorman, Elizabeth Larios, Anita Ly and Kristen Gibbs have been helping develop Oklahoma City into a place startups can flourish and wealth and jobs are created every day from seedlings of companies.

So far, 21 companies have been directly supported through these programs with hundreds more benefiting from free office hours and community events. More than $1M has been imported into the commu- nity via follow-on investments, and more than 100 jobs have been created. Companies supported range from sustainable production of biodegradable high-performance materials to marketplaces for freighttruck matching, to infrastructure for game studios to launch profitable and scalable multiplayer experiences. effects of aging and may slow or prevent these and other chronic conditions. But, said Miller, “whether because of physical ability or another factor, they aren’t possible for everyone.”

All of this would not be possible without the community engagement from dozens of local mentors and investors, and the support of The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Inasmuch Foundation, American Fidelity, Square Deal Capital, Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma, Love’s Travel Stops, OCAST, Cortado Ventures, Boyd Street Ventures, Cameron Ventures and Full Sail Capital. This community support exemplifies the community investing into its best and brightest. Oklahoma City’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem has a bright future with the wind of these organizations at its back.

Many people find diets and exercise challenging, so there are ongoing searches for medications that may mimic those effects. Miller’s study aims to identify who may benefit from metformin treatment and why some people are better targets for this alternative.

“Our research only moves forward with the help of people willing to participate in research,” said Miller, who leads OMRF’s Aging and Metabolism Research Program.

Volunteers will first under- go a health screening. If enrolled, participants’ visits during the 12-week study may include blood tests, muscle biopsies, bone density scans and insulin sensitivity tests. The study will take place at the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center in Oklahoma City.

The study is focused on participants with higher-thannormal blood sugar, a body mass index above 30, or who are not physically active. Volunteers also cannot be taking glucose-lowering agents.

To participate or for more information, visit www.omrf.org/metformin or contact Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources at 405-271-3480 or osctr@ ouhsc.edu.

New Landmark Team committed to faith, family and the outdoors

As the real estate industry continues to evolve and shift, Amanda Kirkpatrick-Lawler has proven herself to be a visionary leader in the field.

Her leadership and business acumen have taken Metro Mark Real Estate to new heights, further establishing the company as a premier brokerage in Oklahoma. What is most impressive, however, is Amanda’s vision for the future of Metro Mark Real Estate.

Her recent expansion of the company to include a brand new land division is a testament to her desire to provide a comprehensive and world-class service to clients. The newly added land division is spearheaded by the Oklahoma Land- mark Team and led by Team Leader Blake Merritt.

What makes The Oklahoma Landmark Team stand out in the industry is their commitment to faith, family and a passion for the outdoors. This team specializes in providing professional real estate services for multiple land/acreage types, including ranches, farms, hunting properties, recreational land, country homes, and more. Their expertise and experience in land sales are a perfect complement to Metro Mark’s values and robust real estate services. As a leader in the real estate industry who has made an indelible impact on the Oklahoma City area, it is clear to see that Amanda’s commitment to excellence and innovative approach to the business has earned her recognition as one of the most promising leaders in the industry today. Her pas- sion for helping others achieve their dreams of homeownership is reflected in her commitment to learning, staying up-to-date on market trends, and building strong relationships with clients and other industry professionals.

All the while keeping her young family the top priority in her life.

With an already celebrated personal career that is still gaining momentum and the continued growth of Metro Mark Real Estate. There is truly no limit to what this dynamic and powerful young professional can achieve in the years to come.

Most Powerful Young Professionals serve OK Contemporary

At the new, state-of-the art Oklahoma Contemporary, visitors can see innovative contemporary art, hear artists discuss their practice and attend familyfriendly, art-making festivals, all for free.

In addition to blockbuster exhibitions, outdoor sculptures and performances for all ages, visitors can explore their own creativity through art classes and camps, buy local in the shop and try contemporary cuisine, coffee and drinks in the onsite cafe.

At its core, the multidisciplinary contemporary arts organization is an inclusive space. Exhibitions and most programs are free.

It takes dedicated support to make this important work possible — and Oklahoma Contemporary congratulates those in its inner circle who were nominated to OKC FRIDAY’s 2023 Most Powerful Young Professionals list. Three nominees are on the arts center’s Board of Trustees: Phillip Busey, Jr., Kyle Impson and Christopher Lloyd. Five are in The Garde: Denise Duong, Bailey Gordon, Caroline Ikard (board), Kelly Kerwin and Kindt Steven Meyers (board). Whitney Rainbolt is an ArtNow committee member. And Jeremiah Matthew Davis is Oklahoma Contemporary’s director.

Oklahoma Contemporary’s new centrally-located facilities — along Broadway Drive at the top of Automobile Alley — dramatically increase the arts center’s capacity to meet growing demand for arts and culture across the city, state and region. And the nonprofit couldn’t do it without dramatic community support. Learn more: oklahomacontemporary.org.

Oklahoma Contemporary, a regional 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 1989 by businessman and philanthropist Christian Keesee and Kirkpatrick Foundation Director Marilyn Myers.