---
title: "Carolyn Bell | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carolyn-bell"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-28"
---

# Carolyn Bell

Florida Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Civil Judge, Division AF

## Profile

- Court: Florida Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Florida
- Role: Circuit Civil Judge, Division AF
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-28

## Summary

Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile.

## 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 display

Scope: judge specific

Judge Bell permits electronic exhibits on the courtroom television by Zoom screen share, laptop connection, or USB drive; other display systems require a motion and approval.

Evidence excerpt: Any requests to utilize any display system other than the courtroom system must be made via Motion and approved by the Court.

[Carolyn Bell, Division AF Instructions](https://www.15thcircuit.com/division/af/instructions)
Source checked: 2026-07-28

### media and still photography

Scope: statewide

Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.

Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed

[Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.15thcircuit.com/judges)
- [Official roster](https://www.15thcircuit.com/judges)
- [Florida Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Court official judicial roster](https://www.15thcircuit.com/judges)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [Carolyn Bell, Division AF Instructions](https://www.15thcircuit.com/division/af/instructions)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Began her legal career in private practice at Buchalter, Nemer, Fields & Younger in Los Angeles
- Bell moved to the Southern District of Florida, serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in West Palm Beach
- Sat as Associate Judge for the Fourth District Court of Appeal
- Judge Carolyn R. Bell serves on the 15th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, primarily in the Civil Division
- She later joined the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., serving as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Criminal Section of the Tax Division
- Her work included prosecuting tax-related crimes nationwide and serving in roles with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Deputy Attorney General
- Bell has taught legal writing and trial advocacy as an adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School

### Education


### Additional information

- Appointed in May 2018 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Thomas H. Barkdull III
- focusing on bankruptcy and commercial litigation
- She prosecuted white‐collar crimes, including health care fraud, securities fraud, and Ponzi schemes, and held the role of ethics counsel for over 200 federal prosecutors
- She has also held leadership roles in Florida Bar committees, including Professional Ethics and Advertising



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f9444c394a89ab9f4ffde994) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450). Collected 2026-07-26.