Local Rule 5073-1: PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING DEVICES, AND BROADCASTING

LOCAL RULE 5073-1: PHOTOGRAPHY, RECORDING DEVICES, AND BROADCASTING a. Prohibition Against Camera, Video, Transmitter, Receiver, and Recording Equipment. Absent a Court order directing otherwise, no camera, video, transmitter, receiver, or recording equipment may be brought into the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina at any of its locations or utilized while listening to or appearing for matters remotely.

b. Exemptions from Prohibition.

1. Use of such equipment by an authorized representative of the Court for an official purpose; 2. Use of the Court's videoconferencing system by an authorized representative of the Court to permit the judge to conduct proceedings from or to a remote location; 3. Use of such equipment during ceremonial proceedings with the express permission of the Court and under the supervision of the Court; 4. A device required because of a person's disability; and 5. As otherwise permitted by a judge of the Court.

c. Wireless Communication Devices.

Wireless Communication Devices (such as laptop computers, cell phones, PDAs, tablet computers, and other wireless devices) are allowed in the courthouse locations, excluding Greenville,1 under the following terms and conditions:

1. Wireless Communication Devices may be brought into the courthouse locations by an attorney (or support staff accompanying the attorney). Litigants, witnesses, pro se parties, members of the media, and the public may bring wireless communication devices into the courthouse only in connection with a hearing or trial and only with the prior authorization of the presiding judge. All Wireless Communication Devices are subject to security screening.

2. All Wireless Communication Devices must be programmed or rendered to be inaudible upon entering a courtroom or areas adjacent to a courtroom or judicial chambers.

3. Any party bringing a Wireless Communication Device into the United States Bankruptcy Court shall use the device only for purposes of evidence presentation, research, electronic mailing, note taking, communication, and scheduling in connection with a matter pending before the Court and other legitimate business purposes. Under no circumstances may a device be used to conduct broadcasting,2 televising, recording, or photographing in any courthouse location.

4. Use is permitted only to the extent that it does not interfere with judicial proceedings or with the ability of the public to observe proceedings. A presiding judge may order the discontinuance of the use of such Wireless Communication Devices at any time.

Notes:

(2022) Changed the Court's location from Spartanburg to Greenville.

(2023) Paragraph (a) was amended to include remote appearances.

1 The policy of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina governs wireless communication devices for the Greenville Division. 2 Broadcasting is construed in the broadest sense and includes commentary about court proceedings on the internet or to a third party.