Matthew David Bates
UT · Judge, Third District Court
Third District Court judge since 2016, appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert. Before that, Judge Bates was Chief Prosecutor in the Summit County Attorney's Office and worked in the Utah Attorney General's Office.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 6 records
Signed a death warrant setting Ralph Menzies' execution by firing squad for September 5, 2025, while an appeal of his competency ruling was still pending.
July 9, 2025
Source: kuer.org
Ruled that death row inmate Ralph Menzies was competent to be executed. He found that Menzies has dementia but still understood his punishment and the reason for it.
June 6, 2025
Source: sltrib.com
Was appointed to the Third District Court by Governor Gary Herbert and confirmed by a unanimous Utah Senate vote. He replaced retiring Judge Charlene Barlow.
June 22, 2016
Source: kpcw.org
Was named chief prosecutor of the Summit County Attorney's Office by County Attorney Dave Brickey. He had worked in that office for three years.
April 3, 2014
Source: kpcw.org
Filed felony theft charges against former Park City police sergeant Robert Lucking as the Summit County prosecutor. The charges accused Lucking of taking money from the police evidence room and a police lodge.
May 15, 2013
Source: ksl.com
Prosecuted Jack Lee Climer for stealing about $33,000 from Park City's American Legion post. A jury convicted him of theft in January 2012, and a judge sentenced him to 360 days in jail and full repayment.
April 9, 2012
Source: parkrecord.com
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 2 favorable
Received a 12-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which found he meets its standards, in the report it shows voters for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 91% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Impartiality
Source: judges.utah.gov
Received a 13-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 93% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Impartiality
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 3 favorable · 1 unfavorable
Received a 12-0 vote from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission, which found he meets its standards, in the report it shows voters for his 2026 retention question. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 91% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
October 15, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: judges.utah.gov
Was named one of 12 nominees for two new Utah Supreme Court seats by the Appellate Judicial Nominating Commission. The governor later appointed other nominees.
April 30, 2026Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahbar.org
Was reversed 5-0 by the Utah Supreme Court, which ruled he was wrong to deny Ralph Menzies a new competency evaluation. The court canceled the death warrant he had signed and sent the case back to him.
August 29, 2025Unfavorable on Legal Competence
Source: ksl.com
Received a 13-0 vote to retain from the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in its 2020 report. He passed all 8 minimum standards, and 93% of surveyed court users recommended keeping him.
July 14, 2020Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: utahjpec.file.force.com
Past races Matthew David Bates ran in:
- Shall MATTHEW DAVID BATES be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Third Judicial District? · November 3, 2026 · Salt Lake County, Utah · incumbent
- Shall MATTHEW DAVID BATES be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Third Judicial District? · November 3, 2026 · Tooele County, Utah · incumbent
- Shall MATTHEW DAVID BATES be retained in the office of Judge of the District Court of the Third Judicial District? · November 3, 2026 · Summit County, Utah · incumbent