Robert S. Bell at a glance
- Current role
- Magisterial District Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Pennsylvania · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Robert S. Bell
Magisterial District Judge · Pennsylvania Magisterial District Court 40-3-03
Biography
Professional career
- Robert Holmes Bell (April 19, 1944 – June 8, 2023) was a U.S. district judge for the Western District of Michigan, serving from 1987 until his death in 2023, and known for significant criminal and civil cases, including a rare federal death sentence in Michigan
- He then became a judge on the Ingham District Court (1973–1979) and later the Ingham County Circuit Court (1979–1987)
- From 1969 to 1973, Bell held the role of an assistant county prosecuting attorney in Ingham County, Michigan
Education
- Wayne State University Law School in — J.D. (1969)
Additional information
- Senior Judge: January 31, 2017 – June 8, 2023
- Bell also served on the Judicial Conference of the United States’ Criminal Law Committee, including as chair from 2010 to 2013
- Chief Judge: 2001–2008
- On March 11, 1987, President Ronald Reagan nominated Bell to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, a seat vacated by Wendell Alverson Miles.
- Confirmed by the Senate on July 1, 1987, and began service the next day
- Bell was born in Lansing, Michigan, and graduated from Wheaton College in 1966, lettering in track each year.
- After the U.S. Justice Department advised prosecutors to ask jurors for the death penalty, the jury unanimously agreed, and Bell ordered the sentence.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Exhibits
Statewide
For Pennsylvania Common Pleas proceedings, statewide Pa.R.J.A. 1910 prohibits courtroom broadcasting, recording, and photography unless an exception or judicial authorization applies; the rule also recognizes judge-authorized electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation.
the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 27, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 27, 2026.
Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania official judicial roster ↗201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View 201 Pa. Code Chapter 19, Rule 1910, Broadcasting, Recording and Photography in the Courtroom ↗