Karin Bell at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Massachusetts · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Karin Bell
Associate Justice · Massachusetts Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Karin M. Bell is an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court, appointed by Governor Charlie Baker on January 27, 2022, to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Judith Fabricant
- Prosecution: As an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts (2008–2013), she led the Worcester Branch, headed the Criminal Division, and co-lead prosecuted the Operation Varsity Blues trial
Education
Additional information
- Nominated by Governor Baker and confirmed through the Governor’s Council process, as required for judicial appointments in Massachusetts.
- Worcester County Superior Court and is listed among the current Superior Court justices on the Massachusetts Court System’s official site.
- Active in various cases, including administrative matters and equitable replevin actions in Worcester County.
- She also oversaw a landmark RICO case against pharmaceutical executives
- She also serves as a Judge Member of the Massachusetts Commission on Judicial Conduct
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Remote appearances
Courtwide
Massachusetts Superior Court Standing Order 1-26 identifies which criminal and civil proceedings are presumptively remote or in person, while allowing the presiding judge to change the format under the order's standards.
certain criminal and civil proceedings may be conducted remotely (e.g., by computer, videoconference, or telephone) pursuant to this Standing OrderSuperior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings ↗
Courtwide
Photographing, recording, or electronically transmitting a Massachusetts Superior Court remote or hybrid hearing requires prior authorization from the supervising judge or clerk-magistrate.
No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, of a remote or hybrid court hearing, without prior authorization from the judge or clerk magistrateSuperior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
In Massachusetts courts, photography, recording, or electronic transmission in a courtroom or related judicial space requires prior authorization from the judge or magistrate supervising that place, subject to Rule 1:19's separate provisions for registered news media.
No person shall take any photographs, or make any recording or transmission by electronic means, in any courtroom, hearing room, office, chambers or lobby of a judge or magistrate without prior authorizationSupreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Massachusetts Superior Court
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 25, 2026.
Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 25, 2026
View Massachusetts Court System official judicial roster ↗Superior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings
Courtwide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Superior Court Standing Order 1-26: Remote hearings ↗Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:19: Electronic access to the courts ↗