John Thomas Shepherd at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Court
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
- Jurisdiction
- Arkansas · Federal
- Judicial service
- April 23, 2026–present
John Thomas Shepherd
Judge · U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
Available research
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Biography
Professional career
- Professional Career: Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Thirteenth Judicial District, Arkansas, 2016-2024; deputy prosecuting attorney, 2016-2017, 2019-2024; prosecuting attorney, 2017-2019
- Professional Career: Private practice, El Dorado, Arkansas, 2013-2024
Judicial service
- Professional Career: Judge, Circuit Court of Arkansas, Thirteenth Judicial District, 2025-2026
Education
- University of Arkansas School of Law · J.D., 2013
- Rice University · B.A., 2009
Courtroom rules and guidance
Courtroom Technology
Courtwide presentation-related guidance applies to this judge.
How to Submit Electronic Exhibit Files Electronic evidence files should be provided on a USB drive. Requirements for Exhibit File Types o All electronic evidence should be provided using the following formats: Documents and Photographs: .pdf, .jpg, .bmp, .tif, .gif Video and Audio Recordings: .avi, .wmv, .mpg, .mp3, .mp4, .wma, .wav,…Microsoft Word - src How to Submit Electronic Exhibit Files (002) ↗
Courtroom Technology
Courtwide presentation-related guidance applies to this judge.
Electronic evidence files must be provided on a USB drive. Requirements for Exhibit File Types o All electronic evidence must be provided using the following formats: Documents and Photographs: .pdf, .jpg, .bmp, .tif, .gif Video and Audio Recordings: .avi, .wmv, .mpg, .mp3, .mp4, .wma, .wav, .3gpp o The individual file size…Microsoft Word - 2022 JERS- How to Submit Electronic Exhibit Files ↗
Civil Remote Testimony
In federal district-court civil proceedings, testimony is ordinarily taken in open court; remote contemporaneous testimony requires good cause in compelling circumstances and appropriate safeguards.
For good cause in compelling circumstances and with appropriate safeguards, the court may permit testimony in open court by contemporaneous transmission from a different location.Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court ↗
Criminal Recording And Broadcasting
Federal district courts may not permit courtroom photography or broadcasting during criminal judicial proceedings unless a statute or another federal rule provides an exception.
Except as otherwise provided by a statute or these rules, the court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom.Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited ↗
Sources
Federal Judicial Center biography
Identity source · HTML · checked July 25, 2026
https://www.fjc.gov/node/13762120Microsoft Word - src How to Submit Electronic Exhibit Files (002)
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 24, 2026
https://www.arwd.uscourts.gov/sites/arwd/files/JERS-%20How%20to%20Submit%20Electronic%20Exhibit%20Files.pdfMicrosoft Word - 2022 JERS- How to Submit Electronic Exhibit Files
Judge research source · PDF · checked July 24, 2026
https://www.arwd.uscourts.gov/sites/arwd/files/How%20to%20Submit%20Electronic%20Exhibit%20Files.pdfFederal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-civil-procedureFederal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/access-court-proceedings/remote-public-access-proceedings/history-cameras-broadcasting-and-remote-public-access-courts