How government shutdown will affect federal courts in Oklahoma

The U.S. government shutdown will affect the federal court system, but only after the money runs out.

The government is generally barred from spending money without congressional authorization, and Congress let the midnight deadline pass on Wednesday, Oct. 1 without approving another year of spending authority.

How federal courts are impacted by the shutdown

The federal courts announced on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the first day of the government shutdown, that the judicial branch will remain open and continue paid operations through at least Friday, Oct. 3.

This includes criminal, civil and bankruptcy courts, as well as appeals courts. In Oklahoma, there are three main federal courthouses in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Muskogee.

The federal courts system in Oklahoma handles a relatively larg