--- title: "John M. Plummer III | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-plummer-iii-judge-lawrence-county-superior-court-1-in" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # John M. Plummer III Lawrence County Superior Court #1 · Judge ## Profile - Court: Lawrence County Superior Court #1 - State: Indiana - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic evidence presentation Scope: statewide Indiana Rule 2.17 lets a judge authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record perpetuation, or judicial administration. Evidence excerpt: a judge may authorize: (1) the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### photography recording Scope: statewide Indiana courtroom broadcasting, recording, digital streaming, and photography require judicial authorization under Rule 2.17. Evidence excerpt: No broadcast of a court proceeding is allowed without authorization from the judge. [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote non testimonial proceedings Scope: statewide Indiana courts may conduct non-testimonial hearings or conferences remotely on request or on the court's own order. Evidence excerpt: a court may, upon request or on its own order, conduct the hearing or conference as a remote proceeding [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote testimonial proceedings Scope: statewide Indiana testimonial proceedings are presumptively in person unless good cause is shown or the parties agree to remote participation. Evidence excerpt: A court must conduct all testimonial proceedings in person except that a court may conduct the proceedings remotely [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### camera request process Scope: statewide Indiana's public cameras guidance states that local judicial officers have discretion to authorize news-media cameras in non-confidential trial-court proceedings. Evidence excerpt: Judicial officers around the state have the authority to allow news media into their courtrooms [Indiana Judicial Branch: Cameras in Indiana Trial Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/cameras/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Official roster](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Indiana Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) - [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) - [Indiana Judicial Branch: Cameras in Indiana Trial Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/cameras/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-plummer-iii-judge-lawrence-county-superior-court-1-in", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-plummer-iii-judge-lawrence-county-superior-court-1-in", "name": "John M. Plummer III | KnowJudges", "description": "John M. Plummer III, Lawrence County Superior Court #1. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-07-26", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-plummer-iii-judge-lawrence-county-superior-court-1-in#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-plummer-iii-judge-lawrence-county-superior-court-1-in#judge", "name": "John M. Plummer III", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-plummer-iii-judge-lawrence-county-superior-court-1-in", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Lawrence County Superior Court #1" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Indiana", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/indiana" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John M. Plummer III", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-plummer-iii-judge-lawrence-county-superior-court-1-in" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career ### Education ### Additional information - Judge Plummer has been on paid, voluntary leave since September 23, 2025, and is not currently hearing cases - Failed to provide complete and candid information about his drug use during the commission’s investigation The allegations stem from a period between February and May 2025, during which court staff, attorneys, and fellow judges observed significant changes in his behavior, including erratic speech, agitation, and difficulty focusing on judicial duties - Witnesses reported that he isolated himself, appeared visibly upset, and created an anxious environment for staff Judge Plummer admitted in August 2025 to using marijuana occasionally to help with sleep, but the investigation revealed more extensive use, including vaping marijuana at a rate of five puffs daily - Joined the Lawrence County Superior Court I in 2018 and later elected to the same position on November 5, 2024 - John M. Plummer III was admitted to the Indiana Bar on June 14, 1996, and initially practiced law with his father - Represented by attorney Glen Koch - focusing on criminal defense - As a judge, he presided over a general jurisdiction docket, including criminal, civil, and domestic violence cases - He has 20 days to file a formal answer to the charges, though he is not required to respond ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-16334af3e92d37ecdb2fa7b0) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-fc1c3983d9effb5bdfe80b9d) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm). Collected 2026-07-26.