---
title: "Joseph M. Watt | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joseph-m-watt-5460"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# Joseph M. Watt

Supreme Court of Oklahoma · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Oklahoma
- State: Oklahoma
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Supreme Court of Oklahoma, 1992-present
- Former Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court who served from 1992 until his retirement on December 31, 2017, including two terms as Chief Justice from 2003 to 2007
- In 2005, Justice Marian P. Opala filed an age discrimination lawsuit after Watt was elected to an unprecedented second term as Chief Justice.

### Education

- University of Texas School of Law in — J.D. (1972)
- Texas Tech University

### Additional information

- Appointed to the court by Democratic Governor David Walters on May 18, 1992.
- Appointed by Governor David Walters on May 18, 1992, and represented District 9.
- Practitioner, 1991-1991
- Born March 8, 1947.
- Date of birth: 1947-03-08
- American jurist known for his long tenure on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
- He was repeatedly retained by voters and became one of the longest-serving modern justices on the court
- Birth place: Austin

## 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

### remote proceedings

Scope: statewide

Oklahoma Rule 34 authorizes videoconferencing in District Courts, subject to the presiding judge's discretion and case-specific limitations.

Evidence excerpt: The Supreme Court hereby authorizes and approves the use of videoconferencing in the District Courts of Oklahoma, as set forth in the following general provisions.

[Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=483384)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote exhibits

Scope: statewide

Oklahoma Rule 34 permits documents and exhibits used in videoconference proceedings to be transmitted electronically, with original exhibits transferred after the proceeding unless the judge orders otherwise.

Evidence excerpt: Any pleading, other document, or exhibit used in a proceeding conducted by videoconferencing may be transmitted between the court's location and any remote site by electronic means, including, but not limited to, facsimile, scan, or email.

[Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=483384)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote witness notice

Scope: statewide

For Oklahoma district-court videoconference witness testimony, Rule 34 generally requires a notice of intent 30 days before the proceeding and allows objections within 10 days, subject to judicial discretion.

Evidence excerpt: A proponent of a witness via videoconferencing technology at any hearing or trial shall file and serve on the opposing party a notice of intent to present testimony by videoconferencing technology at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled start of such proceeding.

[Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=483384)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### courtroom electronic devices

Scope: statewide

Oklahoma's uniform civil jury instruction directs jurors not to use electronic devices while court is in session and prohibits texting, posting, blogging, or broadcasting about the trial.

Evidence excerpt: At this time, turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices. Do not use any electronic devices while court is in session in this case.

[Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction 1.0: Use of Electronic Devices and Research Prohibited](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=479101)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5460/joseph-m-watt/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5460/joseph-m-watt/)
- [Supreme Court of Oklahoma current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5460/joseph-m-watt/)
- [Rule 34. Videoconferencing in the District Courts](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=483384)
- [Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instruction 1.0: Use of Electronic Devices and Research Prohibited](https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=479101)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5460/joseph-m-watt/)
- [Joseph Watt - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Joseph_Watt)
- [Wikidata: Joseph M. Watt](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6285187)

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