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title: "Richard Darby | KnowJudges"
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# Richard Darby

Supreme Court of Oklahoma · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Oklahoma
- State: Oklahoma
- Role: Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## 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

### 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://oksc.oscn.net/nav-justices/)
- [Official roster](https://oksc.oscn.net/nav-justices/)
- [Oklahoma Supreme Court official judicial roster](https://oksc.oscn.net/nav-justices/)
- [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)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Chief Justice: held the role of Chief Justice from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022, elected by peers for a two-year term
- Appointed: April 5, 2018, by Governor Mary Fallin to replace Justice Joseph M. Watt
- Special Judge (4 years) and Associate District Judge (4 years) in Jackson County
- Richard B. Darby is an American jurist and former Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, currently serving as a justice for District 9 of the court
- Position: Justice, Oklahoma Supreme Court, District 9 (Harmon, Greer, Jackson, Kiowa, Tillman, Cotton, Comanche, Caddo, and Canadian counties)

### Education


### Additional information

- District Judge for the Third Judicial District from 1994 to 2018 He presided over both civil and criminal cases and managed a court staff, including secretaries, bailiffs, and court reporters
- Before joining the Supreme Court, Darby served 23 years as a district judge in Oklahoma’s Third Judicial District (Jackson, Kiowa, Tillman, Greer, and Harmon counties).
- Civic service: Past president of Altus Rotary Club, Rotarian of the Year, Oklahoma Court Reporters Association Judge of the Year