--- title: "Steven W. Taylor | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-w-taylor-5459" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Steven W. Taylor 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, 2004-present - Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice (2004–2016): Appointed by Governor Brad Henry in 2004; held the role of Chief Justice (2011–2013) - Retired American jurist who held the role of Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court from 2011 to 2013 and as a justice from 2004 to 2016, best known for presiding over the state trial of the Oklahoma City bombing - District Judge (1984–2004): Served 21 years in Oklahoma’s 18th Judicial District, presiding over over 500 jury trials, including the state trial of 160 civilian murder counts in the Oklahoma City bombing case - In 1977, he became the youngest judge in the U.S. Armed Forces and served in roles including infantry platoon commander, prosecutor, defense counsel, and Special Court-Martial Judge ### Education - University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — J.D. ### Additional information - Taylor retired from the bench on December 31, 2016, after 33 years of judicial service. - Appointed to this court by Democratic Governor Brad Henry on September 24, 2004. - Practitioner, 2003-2003 - legis, 2003-2003 - From 1970 to 1978, Taylor served in the United States Marine Corps, rising to the rank of Major. - He graduated from McAlester High School in 1967, obtained a B.A. in political science from Oklahoma State University in 1971, and a J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1974 - Born June 7, 1949. - Date of birth: 1949-06-07 - During his tenure, he oversaw the court’s relocation to the Oklahoma Judicial Center - Taylor was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma, and grew up in McAlester. - The Pittsburg County Courthouse Complex in McAlester was renamed in his honor after retirement - Birth place: Henryetta ## 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/5459/steven-w-taylor/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5459/steven-w-taylor/) - [Supreme Court of Oklahoma current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5459/steven-w-taylor/) - [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/5459/steven-w-taylor/) - [Steven Taylor (Oklahoma) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Steven_Taylor_(Oklahoma)) - [Justice Steven Taylor | Rotary Club of Oklahoma ...](https://okcrotary.club/justice-steven-taylor) - [Wikidata: Steven W. Taylor](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7615362) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-w-taylor-5459", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/steven-w-taylor-5459", "name": "Steven W. Taylor | KnowJudges", "description": "Steven W. Taylor, Supreme Court of Oklahoma. 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