Local Rule 77.2: Electronic Devices
N.D. Fla. — General rule
Rule 77.2 Electronic Devices
(A) This rule applies to devices that are capable of remote communication (including cellular telephones, laptops, and electronic tablets). This rule also applies to devices that are capable of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or transmitting proceedings. Such devices must not be brought into a United States Courthouse in this District, except as authorized by this rule.
(B) Court employees and employees of an agency with an office in a courthouse may bring devices into the courthouse but may not bring devices into a courtroom unless otherwise authorized by this rule.
(C) Officers providing security may bring devices into a courtroom.
(D) The attorneys of record in a case and members of their staffs may bring devices into the courthouse and into a courtroom. While in the courtroom, attorneys and staff members may use devices only in connection with the proceeding and otherwise must keep devices off or in silent mode. Cellular telephones and other hand-held devices must be kept out of sight while court is in session. Devices may be used outside a courtroom or in other parts of the building so long as court proceedings are not disturbed. The Court may change these provisions by an order in a case.
(E) Members of the media may request the same authority to bring in and use devices as attorneys and their staffs have under this rule's paragraph (D). A request may be made orally or in writing to the Clerk. The Clerk may grant the request under guidelines established by an administrative order or as authorized by the Court in a case. Unless the Clerk grants such a request or the Court gives greater authority under this rule's paragraph (G), members of the media have the same rights, and are subject to the same obligations, as members of the public.
(F) Devices may be brought into a courthouse for photographing, recording, broadcasting, or transmitting proceedings as authorized by Local Rule 77.1.
(G) The Court may authorize devices to be brought into the courthouse or courtroom on other specific occasions and may authorize or restrict their use.
(H) The United States Marshals Service may agree to store a device that cannot properly be brought into the courthouse under this rule. And as part of its control over the courthouse grounds, the Marshals Service may ban or restrict devices on the grounds.