Local Rule Rule 506: Photographing and Recording Court Proceedings and Courthouse Spaces
D. Md. — General rule
RULE 506. PHOTOGRAPHING AND RECORDING COURT PROCEEDINGS AND COURTHOUSE SPACES
1. Photographing, Recording, and Transmitting Court Proceedings
Unless otherwise ordered by the Chief Judge, no court proceeding may be photographed, video recorded, audio recorded, broadcast, televised, or otherwise transmitted except as follows:
a. Persons presiding over naturalization proceedings may authorize the use of cameras or video recorders during the proceedings.
b. Judges presiding over ceremonial proceedings may authorize the use of cameras and video recorders during the proceedings.
c. Official court reporters and official electronic recorders employed by the Clerk's Office shall record court proceedings, provided, however, that no court reporter or electronic recorder shall use or permit to be used any official recording of a court proceeding in connection with any radio or television broadcast.
d. Any judge may authorize a court reporter privately retained by one or more parties to record a court proceeding if any official court reporter or official electronic recorder is unavailable or unable to perform the necessary recording.
2. Photographing, Video Recording, and Televising Courthouse Spaces
a) Courtrooms and Other Public Spaces
Unless otherwise ordered by the Chief Judge, no courtroom or other public space in the courthouse may be photographed, video recorded, or televised except as follows:
i. On the day of naturalization proceedings, persons being naturalized and their families and friends may use cameras in the public spaces on the first floor;
ii. On the day of receptions or other social events, persons attending the event may use cameras in the space where the event is being held; and
iii. Employees of the General Services Administration and GSA architects and contractors may use cameras in the courtrooms and other public spaces when court is not in session.
b) Office Spaces
Cameras may not be used in any office within the courthouse except with the approval of the person in charge of the office.
3. Penalties
Any camera, recording device, or other equipment used in violation of this Rule may be impounded. Any violation of this Rule may be treated as a contempt of court and any violator who is a member of the Bar may be subjected to the disciplinary action of the Court.