---
title: "Susan L. Collins | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/susan-l-collins-9243"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Susan L. Collins

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana · Magistrate

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
- State: Indiana
- Role: Magistrate
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, appointed in 2015, and announced her retirement in July 2025 after 37 years of public service
- Susan L. Collins held the role of a U.S. Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, a position appointed by the district’s judges under 28 U.S.C.. 631

### Education



### Additional information

- Magistrate, District Court, N.D. Indiana, 2015-present
- In July 2024, Collins announced she would retire in July 2025, concluding a 37-year career in public service.
- Appointed to this position on January 16, 2015, upon the retirement of Magistrate Roger Cosbey.
- Appointed January 16, 2015, filling the seat vacated by Hon.
- She met the retirement criteria for U.S. Magistrate Judges — age 65 and more than eight years of service
- Judge Collins was recognized with the Meritorious Public Service Award and the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.

## 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/9243/susan-l-collins/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9243/susan-l-collins/)
- [U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9243/susan-l-collins/)
- [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/9243/susan-l-collins/)
- [Susan Collins (Federal judge, Indiana) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Susan_Collins_(Federal_judge,_Indiana))

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-651872d6e45e0d82319ecccc) — Civil actions in United States District Courts; Rule 81 exceptions apply. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
