---
title: "William C. Hetherington Jr. | KnowJudges"
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# William C. Hetherington Jr.

Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals
- State: Oklahoma
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- 2009–2016 – Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, appointed by Governor Brad Henry on November 6, 2009, succeeding Judge Glenn Adams held the role of Chief Judge in 2015 Retired September 2, 2016
- 1982 – Appointed as a Special District Judge

### Education

- master — University of Oklahoma School of Law — 2000
- Oklahoma City University School of Law — J.D. (1979)

### Additional information

- 1992–2009 – Cleveland County District Judge (Office 1), re-elected five consecutive four-year terms, unopposed held the role of Chief Judge for Judicial District 21 for six terms Presiding Judge of the South Central Administrative Judicial District (2001–2002) Oversaw major initiatives such as the Cleveland County Community Corrections Intervention system and the Mental Health Court Handled high-profile cases including the Oklahoma Attorney General Tobacco case, oilfield mass torts, Walmart employee class actions, and Hepatitis C cases
- He also served on the OCU School of Law Alumni Board of Trustees until 2004
- Born February 21, 1947 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hetherington has been a lifelong Norman resident
- Experienced Oklahoma judge, best known for his service on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals and his long career in Cleveland County’s trial courts

## 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/8175/william-c-hetherington-jr/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8175/william-c-hetherington-jr/)
- [Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8175/william-c-hetherington-jr/)
- [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/8175/william-c-hetherington-jr/)
- [William Hetherington - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Hetherington)
- [Hetherington installed as chief judge of Court of Civil Appeals | News | normantranscript.com](https://www.normantranscript.com/news/hetherington-installed-as-chief-judge-of-court-of-civil-appeals/article_9c61cb84-a1a7-11e4-ba7c-bbc4a5d74f02.html)

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