Local Rule LBR 5073-1: Photography, Recording Devices & Broadcasting

LBR 5073-1. Photography, Recording Devices & Broadcasting

(a) Prohibition. Unless the court orders otherwise, taking a photograph, making an audio or video recording, or broadcasting by radio, television, or otherwise in the courtroom during or in connection with any hearing, trial, or other proceeding is prohibited. If a court proceeding is recorded for a specific purpose in accordance with the policy of the Judicial Conference of the United States, the dissemination of any recorded courtroom transmission by any means, for any purpose, by or to any person, without a court order authorizing such dissemination, is prohibited.

(b) Exception. Subdivision (a) does not apply to audio recordings of proceedings made by court staff for the purpose of making the official record. The presiding judge may authorize public access to such audio recordings on PACER. A party objecting to access to an audio recording being made available on PACER must file an objection no later than the time of the hearing or trial and bring it to the attention of the judge at the commencement of the proceeding.

(c) Electronic Devices Policy. Visitors to the courtroom and office space of the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii, 1132 Bishop Street, Honolulu, Hawaii, are (unless the court directs otherwise) allowed to carry and use various electronic devices as stated below.

(1) Visitors may bring into the office space and courtroom electronic devices, such as cellular phones, smartphones, laptop computers, tablet computers, or similar functioning devices having wireless communications capability. All devices are subject to a security inspection.

(2) Except while inside the courtroom, visitors may use such devices to make telephone calls and to transmit and receive data communications, such as email or text messages, or to access the Internet.

(3) In the courtroom, visitors may use such devices to take notes, transmit and receive data communications, and access the Internet, but not for telephone calls. Telephone ring tones and other sounds produced by devices must be disabled while in the courtroom. Only quiet keyboards may be used in the courtroom.

(4) As provided elsewhere in this rule, photography, audio and video recording, and broadcasting are prohibited in the courtroom and office space at all times.

(5) The presiding judge may prohibit or further restrict use of such devices by all persons prior to or during a proceeding when necessary to protect the rights of the parties or to assure the orderly conduct of the proceedings. This policy does not supersede the witness exclusion rule.

(6) A visitor who fails to adhere to this policy or to the presiding judge's directions may be removed from the courtroom or office space or subjected to other sanctions.