---
title: "Tom Colbert | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/tom-colbert-5435"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# Tom Colbert

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
- Tom Colbert (1949–2026) was the first African‐American justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, serving from 2004 until his retirement in 2021, and briefly as Chief Justice in 2013–2015
- Oklahoma Criminal Justice Hall of Fame (2012)
- On October 7, 2004, Governor Brad Henry appointed Colbert to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, making him the first African‐American justice on the court
- Chief Judge of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals (2004)
- Judge, Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals (1999–2004), first African‐American on that court

### Education

- University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — J.D.

### Additional information

- He was retained by voters in 2008, 2014, and 2020
- Practitioner, 2003-2003
- He served in the U.S. Army before earning his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1982
- Born December 30, 1949 in Oklahoma City, Colbert graduated from Sapulpa High School, obtained an associate degree from Eastern Oklahoma State College (1970), a B.S. from Kentucky State University (1973), and an M.A. in Health Education from Eastern Kentucky University (1976).
- Date of birth: 1949-12-30
- Resumed District 6 Associate Justice role after his chief justice term
- Tom Colbert’s career marked a historic milestone in Oklahoma’s judicial history, breaking racial barriers at the state’s highest court and serving with distinction for nearly two decades

## 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/5435/tom-colbert/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5435/tom-colbert/)
- [Supreme Court of Oklahoma current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5435/tom-colbert/)
- [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/5435/tom-colbert/)
- [Tom Colbert - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Colbert)

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