---
title: "Robert D. Rucker | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-d-rucker-4346"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
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# Robert D. Rucker

Indiana Supreme Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Indiana Supreme Court
- State: Indiana
- 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, Indiana Supreme Court, 1999-present
- Robert D. Rucker (1947–2026) was the 105th justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, serving from 1999 until his retirement in 2017, and is remembered as a trailblazer for diversity in the state’s judiciary
- Indiana Supreme Court Justice (1999–2017), appointed by Governor Frank O’Bannon
- Robert D. Rucker Photo of Justice Robert Rucker High-Resolution (One hundred fifth Justice) Robert D. Rucker was appointed to the Indiana Supreme Court by Governor Frank O'Bannon in 1999
- Judge, Indiana Court of Appeals (1991–1999), appointed by Governor Evan Bayh — the first African American to serve on that court
- The second African American and first Black male on the Indiana Supreme Court, and the only Court of Appeals judge ever elevated to that court

### Education

- LL.M. in judicial process from the University of Virginia Law School (1998)

### Additional information

- He held the position of 2009–2010 Chair of the Judicial Council of the National Bar Association.
- Practitioner, 1998-1998
- Practitioner, 1990-1990
- Date of birth: 1952
- Born in Canton, Georgia in 1947, Rucker grew up in Gary, Indiana.
- Known for his constitutional focus and willingness to dissent, he also championed diversity in judicial appointments and clerkship hiring
- He served in the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War, earning the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart.
- The Lake County Court Building in Gary was renamed the Robert D. Rucker Court House in his honor
- He was recognized as an Outstanding Hoosier by the Indiana Legislature
- Birth place: Canton

## 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/4346/robert-d-rucker/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4346/robert-d-rucker/)
- [Indiana Supreme Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4346/robert-d-rucker/)
- [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/4346/robert-d-rucker/)
- [Indiana Supreme Court: Hon. Robert D. Rucker](https://www.in.gov/courts/supreme/justices/robert-rucker)
- [Robert Rucker](https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Rucker)
- [Wikidata: Robert D. Rucker](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7343339)

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