Local Rule LCR 78: PHOTOGRAPHY, BROADCASTING, AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN THE COURTHOUSE
W.D. Wash. — Civil rule
LCR 78
PHOTOGRAPHY, BROADCASTING, AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN THE COURTHOUSE
(a) Definitions
As used herein, "Judicial Proceeding" means: (1) any trial or other criminal or civil proceeding, naturalization proceeding or ceremonial occasion occurring in any United States District Court; (2) any proceeding before any bankruptcy judge or United states magistrate judge; and (3) sessions of the grand jury;
"Courtroom" of a United States District Court means the courtroom and all space behind the double doors containing the courtroom number and the name of the judge. "Courtroom" of a United States magistrate judge means any place where a judicial proceeding is conducted.
"Environs" means any area located within the interior confines of the United States Courthouse, including but not limited to the entrances, hallways, stairwells, corridors, and lobbies therein.
(b) Photography, Televising, Broadcasting
The taking of photographs or any electronic (audio or video) recordings, and the broadcast or streaming thereof in connection with any Judicial Proceeding, is prohibited, except as authorized by the Judicial Conference of the United States or the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit. Photographing, transmitting, or recording any court proceedings from a location outside the courthouse in conjunction with a remote appearance, or any other remote court proceeding conducted by telephone or video conference is also prohibited.
With the consent of the presiding judge or under such conditions as the presiding judge may prescribe, some variations of this rule may be allowed.
Temporary modifications to this rule may be made via General Order and posted on the Court's website.
(c) Personal Electronic Devices in the Courthouse
Personal electronic devices, such as smartphones, laptops, tablet computers, or similar functioning devices having wireless communications capabilities, may be brought into the courthouse.
In the environs, personal electronic devices may be used to make telephone calls, transmit and receive data communications, such as email or text messages, or to access the Internet.
In the courtrooms, personal electronic devices may be used to take notes, transmit and receive data communications, such as email or text messages, or to access the Internet. Telephone ring tones and other functional sounds produced by devices must be disabled while in the courtroom. Only silent keyboards may be used in the courtroom.
A presiding judge may prohibit or further restrict use of such devices by all persons prior to or during a judicial proceeding when necessary to protect the rights of the parties or to ensure the orderly conduct of the proceedings.
Temporary modifications to this rule may be made via General Order and posted on the Court's website.