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# Michael P. Barnes

Indiana Court of Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Indiana Court of Appeals
- State: Indiana
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Indiana Court of Appeals, 2000-present
- June 15, 2018: Retired from active service and appointed Senior Judge by the Indiana Supreme Court
- held the role of Third District presiding judge (2009–2011)
- 1978–2000: Elected St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney for 20 years, serving in five consecutive elections
- Distinguished jurist and public servant whose career spanned over 40 years in Indiana’s legal system, culminating in his role as a Senior Judge of the Indiana Court of Appeals

### Education

- University of Notre Dame Law School in — J.D. (1973)
- B.A. in History from St. Ambrose College in 1970
- Saint Ambrose University — B.A.

### Additional information

- Judge Barnes died May 22, 2020, at age 72, after a battle with cancer.
- Appointed to the court by former Governor Frank O'Bannon (D) on May 22, 2000.
- Practitioner, 1999-1999
- Born December 2, 1947 in Peoria, Illinois, Barnes grew up in rural Illinois and later moved to Indiana to study law.
- As prosecutor, he: Oversaw a 65‐person staff.

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7255/michael-p-barnes/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7255/michael-p-barnes/)
- [Indiana Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7255/michael-p-barnes/)
- [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/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7255/michael-p-barnes/)
- [Michael Barnes - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Barnes)

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