Governor Mitch Daniels has appointed Madison Circuit Court Judge Rudy Pyle III to the Indiana Court of Appeals for the Fourth District.

Pyle, who is a former prosecutor and Indiana State Police trooper, is Daniels’ third appointment to the 15-member court.

“I can’t tell you what a pleasure it is to introduce Indiana’s next judge of the appellate court,” said Daniels. “From a group of three very well qualified people, I am convinced we have identified the right next judge for Indiana’s second-highest court. He is superbly and broadly qualified for the job.”

The vacancy was created by the retirement of Judge Carr L. Darden, who has served for nearly 18 years. Darden was first appointed to the court in 1994 and was retained on the Court by election in 1998 and 2008.

The Indiana Judicial Nominating Committee provided three nominees to Daniels in July. The other nominees were the Honorable Robert Randolph Altice, Jr., Marion Superior Court 2, and appellate attorney Patricia Caress McMath. A date for Pyle’s robing ceremony will be determined by the court.

Pyle, 42, of Anderson, has served on the Madison Circuit Court, Division I since October 2009. As presiding judge, he managed a docket that encompassed both criminal and civil cases. During his time on the bench, Pyle instituted a number of technological improvements to the courtroom and implemented an aggressive docket management system to promote the advancement of jury trials. Pyle also created a public service campaign to increase community support for jury service.

“I am humbled and honored that Governor Daniels would entrust me with an appointment to the Indiana Court of Appeals,” said Pyle. “I am further honored to be able to succeed my mentor, Judge Carr L. Darden.”

Before joining the Madison Circuit Court bench, Pyle was a deputy prosecutor in Madison County. He oversaw the prosecution of major felony cases including attempted murder, robbery, fraud and violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. From 2005 to April 2006, he was a private practice attorney, focusing on trial and appellate advocacy. Pyle was a law clerk for Judge Darden on the Court of Appeals from 2000 to 2004.

Before beginning his legal career, Pyle was a trooper with the Indiana State Police, where he was a member of the tactical intervention platoon. He is an adjunct professor at Anderson University and is on the board of managers of the Indiana Judges Association.

Pyle earned his undergraduate degree from Anderson University, a master’s degree from the College of William & Mary and his law degree from Indiana University.

Source: Office of Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels