Oklahoma Oral Argument is a hearing before the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma in which attorneys present legal arguments on behalf of either the appellant or appealed. At the hearing, the Justices will ask questions of the attorneys and give each side an opportunity to respond to the other’s arguments. After the hearing, the Court will consider the arguments and issue its opinion. Opinions are the written decisions of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. These decisions explain the Court’s rationale for ruling in a certain way. After the opinion is issued, either party can seek a rehearing of the case. Rehearing is a process in which either party may request the Court to reconsider a case and reconsider its decision. The Court may grant the request and hear arguments again or deny the request and issue its original opinion. Issuance of Mandate is the final step in the appellate process. After the Supreme Court issues its opinion, the clerk of the court will issue a “mandate” which is a formal order directed to the lower court. The mandate orders the lower court to follow the Supreme Court’s ruling. Once the mandate is issued, the case is considered finalized.