Matthew L. Bell at a glance
- Current role
- Supreme Court Justice
- Court
- Utah Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Matthew L. Bell
Supreme Court Justice · Utah Supreme Court
Biography
Professional career
- Before this appointment, Bell held the role of Presiding Judge of Utah’s Fifth District Court since September 2017, when he was appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert.
- Appointed to the Utah Supreme Court on August 28, 2026 by Governor Spencer J. Cox to fill the seat vacated by Justice Diana Hagen
- Federal Legal Service: Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Utah
- Prior to his appointment, Judge Bell worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Utah and as a Trial Attorney in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Education
- magna cum laude, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University; lead note and comment editor for the BYU Law Review — J.D. (2003)
Additional information
- Now one of seven justices on the court, following the Legislature’s recent expansion.
- The Fifth District covers Beaver, Iron, and Washington Counties.
- Bell’s decade on the Fifth District bench has been marked by broad case experience and high evaluations from attorneys, staff, and jurors.
- Law Enforcement: held the role of a sworn peace officer in St. George, Utah, before law school.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Electronic Media Coverage
Statewide
Utah permits electronic media coverage of public proceedings under statewide UCJA procedures, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission.
This rule governs electronic media coverage of proceedings that are open to the public, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission.UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings ↗
Media Request Process
Statewide
Utah requires requests for electronic media coverage to be made through the court's public information office.
All requests to provide electronic media coverage shall be made to the court’s public information office.UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings ↗
Portable Electronic Devices
Statewide
Utah permits possession and use of portable electronic devices in courthouses unless limited by UCJA Rule 4-401.02 or by directive of the judge.
A person may possess and use a portable electronic device anywhere in a courthouse, except as limited by this rule or directive of the judge.UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Utah prohibits recording, photographing, or transmitting images or sound of court proceedings with portable electronic devices unless allowed under the electronic-media rule or another stated exception.
A person may not use a portable electronic device to record, photograph, or transmit images or sound of court proceedings, except in accordance with rule 4-401.01 or subsection (2)(D) above.UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings
Utah Supreme 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 2026-07-26UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices
Utah Supreme 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 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Utah State Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Utah State Courts official judicial roster ↗UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings ↗UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices ↗