Local Rule LR 83.1: ELECTRONIC DEVICES

LR 83.1 ELECTRONIC DEVICES

(a) General Prohibition. An individual may not possess an electronic device beyond the security checkpoints within any of the courthouses of this judicial district, except as allowed by this rule. For purposes of this rule, "electronic device" means any portable, electrical-powered device capable of sending or receiving a wireless signal; storing, sending, or retrieving electronic data; or having computing capability.

(b) Exception for Court Employees, Law Enforcement Agents, Tenants and Contractors. The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this rule does not apply to the possession of electronic devices by:

(i) court employees; (ii) agents employed by federal law enforcement agencies or officers assigned to or investigating federal criminal offenses upon presentation of their credentials; (iii) employees and visiting employees of courthouse tenant agencies; and (iv) contractors approved by the General Services Administration.

(c) Exception for Attorneys. An attorney must execute and comply with an agreement in the form attached hereto as Appendix IV and must submit the executed agreement to the local United States Marshal's Office and Court Security Officers prior to the attorney's possession and use of any electronic devices within the courthouse. Once an attorney has executed and submitted the agreement, an attorney and his or her assistants may bring electronic devices into the courthouse, and may use such electronic devices as follows:

(i) Authorized attorneys and their assistants may use electronic devices in courtrooms provided that each device is operated silently; is not used for voice communication, photography, or audio or video recording; and is not used in a manner that will disrupt any courtroom proceeding. For example, the ringing of a wireless telephone in a courtroom during court proceedings is considered disruptive.

(ii) Authorized attorneys and their assistants may use electronic devices anywhere in the courthouse so long as such use does not disrupt courtroom or other official proceedings.

(d) Exception for Jurors. Any seated petit or grand juror may bring electronic devices into the courthouse during his or her service subject to the following limitations:

(i) Jurors may only use electronic devices for non-court purposes during breaks.

(ii) Electronic devices should be turned off or silenced and stored in designated receptacles when not in use.

(iii) Electronic devices are not allowed in the courtroom.

(e) Photographing; Video and Audio Recording; and Video and Audio Broadcasting. Individuals, other than court personnel, are prohibited from using electronic devices while in the courthouse to capture photographs, record audio or video, or broadcast audio or video recordings, unless otherwise permitted by order of a United States District, Magistrate or Bankruptcy Judge.

(f) Enforcement. A violation of this rule will be reported to a judicial officer for appropriate action or other sanction, including but not limited to the confiscation of the device, the violator being required to remove the electronic device from the courthouse, or revocation of the violator's privilege to bring electronic devices into the courthouse. Violations of any provision of this rule by an attorney inside a courtroom may result in the imposition of a fine, revocation of the attorney's privilege to bring electronic devices into the courthouse, or other action deemed appropriate by the judicial officer.

(g) Judicial Discretion. Any presiding judge may modify these procedures or suspend any person's privilege granted by this rule at any time for any reason.