Local Rule 83.1: Courtroom and Courthouse Decorum

83.1 Courtroom and Courthouse Decorum.

(a) Prohibition Against Cameras, Cellular Telephones with Cameras, Transmitters, Receivers, and Recording Equipment. No cameras, cellular telephones with cameras, transmitters, receivers or recording equipment may be brought into or used in any courtroom or court environs. Environs include: • the entire floor where a courtroom is located; • the entire floor where the grand jury meets; and • the entire floor where a chambers of any Magistrate or District Judge is located.

(b) Authority to Impound Equipment. The U. S. Marshals Service may impound the above-described equipment brought into the courtroom or its environs.

(c) Exemptions from Prohibition. The prohibitions of this rule do not apply to: (1) a stenographic or recording device used by an official court reporter or other authorized court personnel; (2) equipment brought into court during investiture, ceremonial or naturalization proceedings; (3) a telephone or pager if turned off while court is in session; (4) a lap-top computer as long as it does not make noise or interfere with court proceedings and it is not used to record or transmit court proceedings; (5) a note-taking or other device required because of a person's disability; or (6) attorneys and jurors with cellular telephones with cameras, but prohibit the use of the camera or recording features while in the courtroom or court environs; or (7) court orders authorizing the use of such equipment.