'''Colleen McCarty''' is a lawyer, author, and podcaster from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is the former founder and executive director of the Oklahoma chapter of the Appleseed Foundation network.
==Early life and education== Colleen McCarty was born to Paula Marshall and Mike McCarty.<ref name="marriage">{{cite news |title=McCarty-Rowe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/910105134/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=June 1, 2008 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Colleen McCarty has worked for the Bama Companies, a family business.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b9I1WXtts0 |title=Video: In Depth: Colleen McCarty discusses campaign for district attorney |date=2026-02-24 |last=FOX23 News Tulsa |access-date=2026-03-20 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marsh |first=Kimberly |date=2026-01-29 |title=Colleen McCarty challenges Steven Kunzweiler for Tulsa County DA |url=https://theokeagle.org/2026/01/29/government/post/colleen-mccarty-running-for-tulsa-county-da/ |access-date=2026-04-27 |website=Oklahoma Eagle |language=en-US}}</ref> McCarty attended the University of Tulsa for undergrad and the University of Tulsa College of Law for law school.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arts & Sciences alumna named one of Tulsa World’s People to Watch in 2024 |url=https://utulsa.edu/news/arts-sciences-alumna-named-one-of-tulsa-worlds-people-to-watch-in-2024/ |website=utulsa.edu |publisher=University of Tulsa |access-date=March 28, 2026 |date=February 19, 2024}}</ref> While an undergrad, she was an officer for the college's Coalition for Women's Issues and opposed ''Playboy'' holding auditions on campus.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Marciszewski |first1=April |title=Playboy solicits models at TU |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/910174628/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=October 11, 2006 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> When in law school, she competed on the Native American Law Student Appellate Team and traveled to Berkeley Law to participate in a national competition."<ref name=":4" /> She also served as an Articles Submission Editor on the Tulsa Law Review.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2023-10-26 |title=A Panel Discussion: Criminal Justice and Impacts on Women Voters |url=https://lwvtulsa.org/impact/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=LWV of Metropolitan Tulsa |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Legal career == McCarty has worked in criminal justice policy since 2018 when she was a law student who "assisted in the commutation of over thirty drug sentences of people serving in Oklahoma prisons."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=What is the Appleseed Network? |url=https://www.okappleseed.org/articles/what-is-the-appleseed-network |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice |language=en-US}}</ref> She was named one of ''Tulsa World'''s "People to Watch" for 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ccoffman |date=2024-02-19 |title=Arts & Sciences alumna named one of Tulsa World's People to Watch in 2024 |url=https://utulsa.edu/news/arts-sciences-alumna-named-one-of-tulsa-worlds-people-to-watch-in-2024/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=The University of Tulsa |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=World |first=Randy Krehbiel Tulsa |date=2023-12-30 |title=People to Watch: Colleen McCarty, executive director of Oklahoma Appleseed |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/government-politics/article_7a69a8c4-8eee-11ee-868e-336461607040.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Tulsa World |language=en}}</ref> She is the co-founder of the Oklahoma Survivor Justice Coalition.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Empson |first=Olivia |date=2024-06-17 |title=Oklahoma law to allow resentencing for incarcerated domestic violence survivors |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jun/17/oklahoma-survivors-act-domestic-violence |access-date=2026-03-21 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> She has written against high incarceration rates and how it does not automatically lead to public safety.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Appleseed |first=Colleen McCarty, Oklahoma |date=2023-11-25 |title=If Prison Makes Us Safer, why is Oklahoma's Crime Rate so High? |url=https://www.citynewsokc.com/criminal_justice/if-prison-makes-us-safer-why-is-oklahoma-s-crime-rate-so-high/article_53646694-8a50-11ee-86db-ef5cb19ec486.html |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=Oklahoma City Sentinel |language=en}}</ref> Along with other attorneys supporting teachers, McCarty attended the protest in support of the 2018 Oklahoma teachers' strike.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krehbiel |first1=Randy |title=Incumbent Nollan draws GOP primary opponents |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/911146063/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=June 3, 2018 |page=15 |quote=Rowe described himself as a moderate who got into the race after his wife, Colleen McCarty, joined the female attorneys demonstrating with educators at the state Capitol in April.}}</ref>
=== Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice === McCarty launched the Oklahoma chapter of the Appleseed Network in 2022.<ref name=":0" /> That initial year, the nonprofit worked on areas such as investigating and reporting on prosecutorial misconduct, child abuse in the Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Center, as well as in criminal justice reform. That same year, she began co-hosting the ''Panic Button'' podcast, an investigative podcast about domestic violence in Oklahoma.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accomplishments |url=https://www.okappleseed.org/accomplishments |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-07-06 |title='Panic Button' crime podcast takes us deeper into a 'Small Town Girl Living in a Violent World' |url=https://www.fox23.com/news/panic-button-crime-podcast-takes-us-deeper-into-a-small-town-girl-living-in-a/article_11d7a49c-9ad5-5b5d-9c9d-499cff6382fa.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=www.fox23.com |language=en}}</ref> This was part of an effort to lobby Oklahoma lawmakers "to draft and pass a bill that would let courts resentence certain survivors of abuse—specifically, ones whose crimes were related to the domestic violence they experienced."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michaels |first=Samantha |title=Women's prisons are filled with domestic violence survivors. A new type of law could help them get out. |url=https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2022/08/domestic-violence-prison-abuser-oklahoma-new-york-law/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Panic Button Podcast |url=https://www.okappleseed.org/panic-button-podcast |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice |language=en-US}}</ref> Outlets like ''Mother Jones'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michaels |first=Samantha |title=Oklahoma jailed women who couldn't stop their abusers. Will a new law help? |url=https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2023/02/oklahoma-jailed-women-who-couldnt-stop-their-abusers-will-a-new-law-help/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Bolts'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barajas |first=Michael |last2=Law |first2=Victoria |date=2024-05-24 |title=Oklahoma Gives Incarcerated Survivors of Domestic Violence a New Chance at Freedom |url=https://boltsmag.org/oklahoma-survivors-act/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Bolts |language=en}}</ref> Making Contact Radio,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Partnow |first=Jessica |date=2024-09-25 |title=Tackling the Intimate Partner Violence to Prison Pipeline |url=https://focmedia.org/2024/09/tackling-the-intimate-partner-violence-to-prison-pipeline/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Making Contact {{!}} Radio Show and Podcast {{!}} from Frequencies of Change Media |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''Slate''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zarrow |first=Rachel |date=2024-10-15 |title=The Worst State in the Country for Domestic Violence May Take a Giant Leap Forward |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/10/april-wilkens-case-oklahoma-domestic-violence-laws.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339}}</ref> detailed McCarty's advocacy to pass and implement legislation to reduce sentencing for criminalized survivors in Oklahoma, which began with a September 2022 Oklahoma House interim study where McCarty spoke alongside others, such as Leigh Goodmark, to a committee.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oklahoma |first=Janelle Stecklein {{!}} CNHI |date=2022-09-14 |title=Advocates seek to stop criminalizing domestic abuse survivors |url=https://www.enidnews.com/news/advocates-seek-to-stop-criminalizing-domestic-abuse-survivors/article_6ce0962a-346f-11ed-b246-a365995d0a9b.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Enidnews.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022 |title=When moms fight back: Stories from the Capitol |url=https://app.verifiednews.network/articles/share/2525 |work=VNN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Krehbiel |first=Randy |date=September 14, 2022 |title=Fighting back often lands domestic violence targets in jail, legislative panel told |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/fighting-back-often-lands-domestic%5b1%5dviolence-targets-in-jail-legislative-panel-told/article_7fb8b362-338f-11ed-a52c-1f5ec1b032d6.html |work=Tulsa World}}</ref>
Later in 2023, McCarty would work with Oklahoma Representative Toni Hasenbeck to create a bill<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Oklahoma lawmakers push forward new bill surrounding domestic abuse cases |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-lawmakers-bill-domestic-abuse-cases/43147739 |work=KOCO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Brenna |date=March 1, 2023 |title=Oklahoma bill to reduce sentences for convicted domestic abuse survivors clears hurdle |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/oklahoma-house-passes-domestic-abuse-survivors-sentencing-bill |work=KTUL}}</ref> and file that sentencing reform legislation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Ray |date=March 22, 2023 |title=LAWMAKERS LOOK TO BOLSTER DEFENSE FOR ABUSED & RAPED WOMEN |url=https://www.ocpathink.org/post/lawmakers-look-to-bolster-defense-for-abused-raped-women |work=OCPA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 2, 2023 |title=Guest: Enough is enough, Oklahoma. Women shouldn't be punished for defending themselves |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/opinion/2023/04/02/guest-stop-punishing-women-for-defending-themselves-against-abusers/70056001007/ |work=The Oklahoman}}</ref> Though it was backed by Attorney General Gentner Drummond<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 10, 2023 |title='Very discouraging': Attorney General Drummond on domestic violence in Oklahoma |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/very-discouraging-ag-drummond-on-domestic-violence-in-oklahoma# |work=KTUL}}</ref> and it passed the House,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Brenna |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Groundbreaking domestic violence bill passes Oklahoma House |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/groundbreaking-domestic-violence-bill-passes-oklahoma-house |work=Channel 8}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Oklahoma self-defense laws often don't protect women who kill their abusers. One bill hopes to change that |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/government/2023/04/16/self-defense-laws-oklahoma-house-bill-wants-protect-women-charged-murder-domestic-violence-abuse/70067764007/ |access-date= |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sentinel |first=Patrick B. McGuigan, The City |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Late, or Never? Advocates for women incarcerated for defending themselves against violent aggressors plead for the 'retroactive' aspects of the original House Bill 1639: Analysis |url=https://www.city-sentinel.com/community/late-or-never-advocates-for-women-incarcerated-for-defending-themselves-against-violent-aggressors-plead-for/article_797a3d36-fa45-11ed-8496-c7f5af57de46.html |access-date= |website=Oklahoma City Sentinel |language=en}}</ref> the retroactive application for the sentencing ranges was removed from the language<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Barajas |first1=Michael |last2=Law |first2=Victoria |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Sentencing Reforms for Domestic Abuse Survivors Derail in Oklahoma |url=https://boltsmag.org/oklahoma-domestic-abuse-survivors-sentencing-reform/ |access-date= |website=Bolts |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Michaels |first=Samantha |date=2023 |title=Oklahoma Lawmakers Are Watering Down a Bill That's Supposed to Help Domestic Violence Survivors |url=https://www.motherjones.com/crime-justice/2023/03/oklahoma-lawmakers-are-watering-down-a-bill-thats-supposed-to-help-domestic-violence-survivors/ |work=Mother Jones}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Kilee |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Domestic violence survivors, advocates rally on steps of Oklahoma Capitol |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-domestic-violence-advocates-rally/43980582 |access-date= |website=KOCO |language=en-US}}</ref> and it ultimately failed that session.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Why are they doing this to us?': Survivors of domestic abuse hold vigil at OK Capitol |url=https://okcfox.com/news/local/why-are-they-doing-this-to-us-survivors-of-domestic-abuse-hold-vigil-at-oklahoma-capitol-house-bill-1639-hb1639-domestic-abuse-survivorship-act-victim-appleseed-center-for-law-and-justice-john-echols-house-senate-statistics-politics-okc |access-date= |website=okcfox.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Report |first=City Sentinel Staff |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Legal Reform Groups, Domestic Violence Survivors, and Families Host Press Conference and Vigil at Oklahoma State Capitol |url=https://www.city-sentinel.com/community/legal-reform-groups-domestic-violence-survivors-and-families-host-press-conference-and-vigil-at-oklahoma/article_76fb8436-f8bd-11ed-8ccd-07a803a3db1e.html |access-date= |website=Oklahoma City Sentinel |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Christie |last2=Aspinwall |first2=Cary |date=2024-04-27 |title=They Killed Abusive Partners. Now Their Sentences Could Be Reconsidered. |url=https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/04/27/oklahoma-oregon-minnesota-domestic-violence |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=The Marshall Project |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, McCarty was able to work with Representative John Echols and Senator Greg Treat to introduce and pass a new version of the legislation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLeod |first=Morgan |date=2024-05-25 |title=Oklahoma Survivors' Act Overcomes Veto |url=https://www.sentencingproject.org/newsletter/oklahoma-survivors-act-overcomes-veto/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=The Sentencing Project |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Maupin |first=Jennifer |date=2025-08-29 |title=What is the Oklahoma Survivors' Act? |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/what-is-the-oklahoma-survivors-act |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Brenna |date=2024-05-27 |title=One-On-One: Ok. Gov. Stitt champions the newly passed domestic violence bill |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/one-on-one-ok-gov-stitt-champions-the-newly-passed-domestic-violence-bill-survivor-victime-abuse-governor-oklahoma-justice-act |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=KTUL |language=en}}</ref> She and Leslie Briggs filed the first application for a survivor, which was in the Tulsa county courthouse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kemp |first=Adam |date=2024-09-13 |title=This new law in Oklahoma could give survivors of domestic violence in prison a second chance |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/for-incarcerated-survivors-of-domestic-violence-a-new-oklahoma-law-is-another-chance-at-justice |access-date=2026-03-21 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Brenna |date=2024-08-29 |title=First application filed for retroactive sentencing relief under Oklahoma Survivors' Act |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/first-application-filed-for-retroactive-sentencing-relief-under-oklahoma-survivors-act-april-wilkens-survivor-sentence-victims-domestic-abuse-abuser-governor-veto-overridden-domestic-violence-rate-oklahoma-appleseed-center-law-justice-incarcerated |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=KTUL |language=en}}</ref> McCarty co-represented the first cases to apply under the new law pro-bono and was the attorney of the first woman released in Oklahoma under the new sentencing ranges.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrega |first=Christina |date=2025-10-08 |title=She Got 27 Years for Killing Her Abuser. Judge Rules Oklahoma's Survivors Act Won't Free Her. |url=https://capitalbnews.org/tyesha-long-oklahoma-survivors-act/ |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=Capital B News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Williams, Roberts Recognize Lisa Moss, Oklahoma Survivors' Act |url=https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/20250211_1 |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Oklahoma House of Representatives |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025 |title=OK judge grants woman sentenced to life for murder court hearing to challenge sentence |url=https://kfor.com/news/local/ok-judge-grants-woman-sentenced-to-life-for-murder-court-hearing-to-challenge-sentence/ |work=KFOR}}</ref> McCarty has denounced the pushback from District Attorneys offices in Oklahoma,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winchester |first=Jacqueline |date=2025-08-29 |title=Tulsa woman serving time for manslaughter denied early release under Survivors' Act |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-woman-denied-reduced-sentence-for-manslaughter-under-survivors-act-crime-courts-erica-harrison-governor-kevin-stitt-megan-hilborn-judge-sharon-holmes |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=KTUL |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Boblitt |first=Zach |date=2025-09-05 |title=Judge denies April Wilkens' request for resentencing under Oklahoma Survivors' Act |url=https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2025-09-05/judge-denies-april-wilkens-request-for-resentencing-under-oklahoma-survivors-act |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Public Radio Tulsa |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2025 |title=Attorneys accuse Tulsa DA of dragging out Wilkens resentencing case |url=https://kfor.com/video/attorneys-accuse-tulsa-da-of-dragging-out-wilkens-resentencing-case/10608563/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKumphleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFXdGRxYjhRVkpHelpqWjFTAR4GKXZ0t0q8xkidAlr-w7zBKIssvpx3AERRELguMa5w3yDrs46MftpcmFMyEw_aem_FMusEmoMnCCimxs8vicjFQ}}</ref> specifically from the Tulsa office,<ref>{{Cite web |last=World |first=Curtis Killman Tulsa |date=September 20, 2024 |title=Tulsa DA Kunzweiler defends plan for handling Oklahoma Survivors' Act cases |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/article_3ad5cfde-7792-11ef-ae94-4f27d61969e9.html |access-date= |website=Tulsa World |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2024 |title=Kunzweiler clarifies Survivors' Act views after legal form surfaces |url=https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2024-09-22/kunzweiler-clarifies-survivors-act-views-after-legal-form-surfaces |access-date= |website=Public Radio Tulsa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Brenna |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Advocates denounce Tulsa County DA plea policy as harmful to domestic abuse survivors |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-county-da |access-date= |website=KTUL |language=en}}</ref> claiming it has lead to denials of relief under the new law.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=District Attorney Kunzweiler Responds To Claims That He Is Strong-Arming Victims To Give Up Rights Under New Law |url=https://www.newson6.com/story/66f1ed65cb18a8df8ef25cb2/district-attorney-kunzweiler-responds-to-claims-that-he-is-strong-arming-victims-to-give-up-rights-under-new-law |access-date= |website=www.newson6.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Oklahoma Prosecutors Consider Plan That Would 'Prey' On Domestic Violence Survivors |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tulsa-county-district-attorney-oklahoma-survivors-act_n_66eb2640e4b00648275ba784 |access-date= |website=HuffPost |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Weiss |first=Debra Cassens |date=2025 |title=Domestic abuse survivor who was inspiration for new reduced-sentencing law loses bid for release |url=https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/domestic-abuse-survivor-who-served-as-inspiration-for-new-reduced-sentencing-law-loses-bid-for-release |work=ABA Journal}}</ref> McCarty accused Tulsa DA Steve Kunzweiler of undermining the law when his office created a waiver for survivors to give up the rights it grants if taking a plea deal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FJP Statement on Tulsa DA's Attempts to Circumvent the Oklahoma Survivors' Act |url=https://fairandjustprosecution.org/press-releases/fjp-statement-on-tulsa-das-attempts-to-circumvent-the-oklahoma-survivors-act/ |access-date= |website=Fair and Just Prosecution |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoberock |first=Barbara |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Oklahoma prosecutor accused of undermining abuse victims charged with crimes • Oklahoma Voice |url=https://oklahomavoice.com/2024/09/18/oklahoma-prosecutor-accused-of-undermining-abuse-victims-charged-with-crimes/ |access-date= |website=Oklahoma Voice |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Brenna |date=October 7, 2024 |title=Tulsa County DA's plea deal form raises concerns under Oklahoma Survivors' Act |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/tulsa-county-da-plea-deal-form-raises-concerns-under-oklahoma-survivors-act-tulsa-county-district-attorneys-office-plea-deal-waive-rights-under-domestic-violence-legislation-evidence-abuser-crime-domestic-abuse-survivor-reduce-sentence-consideraiton |access-date= |website=KTUL |language=en}}</ref>
A 2026 joint-profile of the legislation's impact in the ''New York Times'' and ''Propublica'' by Pamela Colloff stated that the opposition from the Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler is what lead McCarty to run against him for his seat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colloff |first=Pamela |date=2026-02-22 |title=They Were Convicted of Killing Their Abusers. A New Law Offered a Second Chance at Freedom. |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/oklahoma-survivors-act-domestic-violence |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=ProPublica |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Colloff |first=Pamela |last2= |first2= |last3= |last4= |first4= |date=2026-02-22 |title=They Killed Their Abusers. Should They Spend Their Lives in Prison? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/magazine/oklahoma-domestic-violence-survivors-act.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> McCarty has also spoken out against Failure to Protect cases and how sentencing is often more extreme for the mothers who were also abused than the men doing the abuse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michaels |first=Samantha |last2=Helenowski |first2=Mark |title=Why is a mother serving more time than the man who abused her daughter? |url=https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2022/08/failure-to-protect-domestic-abuse-child-oklahoma-women-inequality-prison/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}</ref> She was part of a settlement plan from a "lawsuit that accused the state of not providing timely mental health services to people awaiting services in county jail."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=How a political fight is delaying timely mental health treatment in Oklahoma's jails |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-a-political-fight-is-delaying-timely-mental-health-treatment-in-oklahomas-jails |access-date=2026-03-21 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}}</ref> She also advocated for changing Life without Parole sentencing in Oklahoma.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Williams Hosts Study on Life Without Parole Sentencing in Oklahoma |url=https://www.okhouse.gov/posts/news-20251105_2 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=Oklahoma House of Representatives |language=en}}</ref>
=== Campaign for District Attorney === In early 2026, McCarty announced her bid for Tulsa County District Attorney.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colleen McCarty for Tulsa County DA |url=https://mccartyforda.com/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=mccartyforda.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-29 |title=Tulsa Attorney Announces Run for District Attorney - Today in Tulsa |url=https://nationaltoday.com/us/ok/tulsa/news/2026/01/29/tulsa-attorney-announces-run-for-district-attorney/ |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=National Today |language=en-US}}</ref> She is running as a Republican against the incumbent, Steve Kunzweiler.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boblitt |first=Zach |date=2026-01-30 |title=McCarty launches GOP primary challenge to Kunzweiler in Tulsa County DA race |url=https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2026-01-30/mccarty-launches-gop-primary-challenge-to-kunzweiler-in-tulsa-county-da-race |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Public Radio Tulsa |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=FOX23 com News |date=2026-01-29 |title=Colleen McCarty announces candidacy for Tulsa County DA |url=https://www.fox23.com/news/colleen-mccarty-announces-candidacy-for-tulsa-county-da/article_8ca152a1-9860-4a87-8a71-47f7992e41ac.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=www.fox23.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Chloe |date=2026-01-30 |title=Tulsa lawyer Colleen McCarty running for Tulsa County DA against Steve Kunzweiler |url=https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/tulsa-lawyer-colleen-mccarty-running-for-tulsa-county-da-against-steve-kunzweiler |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=NewsOn6.com |language=en-US}}</ref> ''NonDoc'' called it the most-watched race in Tulsa after the filing deadline.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loveless |first=Tristan |date=2026-04-04 |title=Tulsa County candidate filing: 6 elections set, 14 elected by default |url=https://nondoc.com/2026/04/03/tulsa-county-candidate-filing-6-elections-set-14-elected-by-default/ |access-date=2026-04-04 |website=NonDoc |language=en-US}}</ref> She says she decided to run after she "prayed about it" and wants to save Tulsans money, specifying that wrongful convictions have cost large sums in verdicts that taxpayers will have to cover.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-24 |title=Video: In Depth: Colleen McCarty discusses campaign for district attorney |url=https://www.fox23.com/news/video-in-depth-colleen-mccarty-discusses-campaign-for-district-attorney/video_e2345e26-f195-5fd5-bf7b-43c3b55035df.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=www.fox23.com |language=en}}</ref> McCarty has said that the position of district attorney is one of the "most powerful" in the community because all decisions that happen at the state capitol are enforced by them, and there is little oversight of these positions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What do DAs do, exactly? (with Colleen McCarty) - Let's Pod This |url=https://lets-pod-this.captivate.fm/episode/what-do-das-do-exactly-with-colleen-mccarty |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=lets-pod-this.captivate.fm |language=en}}</ref> She feels Republican values are not being reflected in the current DA's office, pointing out "waste, lack of [transparency] and lack of honesty." The Republican primary is June 16, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Filbeck |first=John |date=2026-01-29 |title=Colleen McCarty announces candidacy for Tulsa County DA |url=https://krmg.com/2026/01/29/colleen-mccarty-announces-candidacy-for-tulsa-county-da/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=102.3 KRMG |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Other Notable Representation === She co-represents a man arrested during the February 2026 Claremore City Council meeting who pleaded not guilty to his charge of trespassing while talking against a data center.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mummolo |first=Burt |date=2026-02-27 |title=Data center opponent pleads not guilty to trespassing charge |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/data-center-opponent-pleads-not-guilty-to-trespassing-charge |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=KTUL |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-11 |title=Man arrested at data center forum calls trespassing charge 'retaliatory' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/man-arrested-data-center-forum-035900613.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jamieson |first=Emmet |date=2026-03-10 |title=Man arrested at data center forum calls trespassing charge 'retaliatory' |url=https://www.claremoreprogress.com/news/man-arrested-at-data-center-forum-calls-trespassing-charge-retaliatory/article_6c98a272-fcb6-493d-bc86-e56fcd6c2e0f.html |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=Claremore Daily Progress |language=en}}</ref>
== Personal life == In 2008, she married Rusty Rowe. Rowe has run for political office and the couple have two children.<ref name="marriage" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Combs |first=Claire |date=2018-05-24 |title=Political Parents |url=https://www.tulsakids.com/political-parents/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=TulsaKids Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> McCarty and Rowe opened their first restaurant together in 2008, called The Collective.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Evatt |first1=Robert |title=The Collective has soul |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/910687837/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=September 16, 2008 |pages=41–42 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It was described by the ''Tulsa World'' as "part coffee house, part bar, part cafe."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cherry |first1=Scott |title=New deli near TU excels with the unusual |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/910685265/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=November 20, 2008 |page=51 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="MODS">{{cite news |last1=Cherry |first1=Scott |title=Fresh crepes made to satisfy any craving |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/910805168/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=July 29, 2010 |page=16}}</ref> In 2010, McCarty and Rowe founded their second restaurant in the Philcade Building, Mod's Coffee and Crepes.<ref name="MODS" /> The restaurant closed in December 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cherry |first1=Scott |title=Mod's Coffee & Crepes to close after Dec. 16 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/911158605/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=December 5, 2017 |page=31}}</ref>
McCarty is a former ghostwriter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2026|title=Colleen McCarty|url=https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00GL9WI0Y/about?ingress=0&visitId=0f70fb23-2b4f-4e26-a1b8-9609f93916d1&ccs_id=82ae0ea4-dbd8-4f24-90a1-b2504a044c57}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Colleen McCarty (Author, Mom, Law School Student) on Juggling a Non-Traditional Schedule and our MOM CONFESSIONS|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/colleen-mccarty-author-mom-law-school-student-on-juggling/id1375558498?i=1000451310823|access-date=28 March 2026|website=The Middle of Everything podcast|language=en-CA|date=2018}}</ref> In 2013, she published her first novel ''Mounting the Whale''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Watts Jr. |first1=James D. |title=Author takes on a whale of a task |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/911238926/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=December 5, 2013}}</ref> In 2017, she published a second novel ''The Many Names of Magdalena Cruz''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Watts |first1=James D. |title=Author to launch novel with party |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/911181728/ |access-date=March 28, 2026 |work=Tulsa World |date=September 30, 2017}}</ref>
== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:McCarty, Colleen}} Category:American women podcasters Category:University of Tulsa alumni Category:Lawyers from Tulsa, Oklahoma Category:21st-century American lawyers Category:Living people Category:Politicians from Tulsa, Oklahoma Category:Ghostwriters Category:American podcasters Category:Oklahoma lawyers Category:Women podcasters Category:University of Tulsa College of Law alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:American women novelists Category:Writers from Tulsa, Oklahoma Category:Businesspeople from Tulsa, Oklahoma