Michael D. Direda at a glance
- Current role
- District Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michael D. Direda
District Court Judge · Utah Second District Court
Biography
Professional career
- Utah Second District Court (Ogden District Court) and has held leadership roles, including Associate Presiding and Presiding Judge from 2019 to 2022.
- Judge of the Utah Second District Court, appointed in December 2008 by Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., and recognized for his legal expertise, prosecutorial background, and judicial leadership.
- Deputy County Attorney: Davis County Attorney’s Office (1995–2008)
- Judicial law clerk in the Second District Court from 1994-1995 before joining the Davis County Attorney’s Office as a Deputy County Attorney.
- Sudreau Global Justice Institute judicial adviser to judiciaries in Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda
Education
- Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law — J.D. (1993)
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 1990 from Pepperdine University
Additional information
- 2012 Retention Election: Retained with 80.7% of the vote; received unanimous recommendation from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission
- Special Assistant U.S. Attorney: 2001–2007, prosecuting cases under Project Safe Neighborhoods
- Special Assistant United States Attorney from 2001-2007 where he prosecuted cases brought under Project Safe Neighborhoods.
- Other Roles: Prosecutor for Centerville City and Clinton City
- Prosecutorial Experience: Handled serious felony and high-profile homicide cases; held the role of Section Chief for all criminal litigation and narcotics cases
- He is also a member of the Utah Judicial Council and an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Utah, teaching trial advocacy.
- Professional Affiliations: National Association of Drug Court Professionals
- Editorial Board Member, Utah Journal of Criminal Law
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 Second District 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 Second District 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 ↗