IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
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IN RE: ELECTRONIC DEVICES * STANDING ORDER NO. 31
IN COURTHOUSE *
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This matter is before the Court on its own motion to establish a uniform policy regarding
the possession and use of laptop computers, cell phones, pagers, personal digital assistants, or
other electronic devices in all courthouses in the Southern District of Alabama.
Effective immediately, members of the bar, paralegals or other personal assistants to
members of the bar when accompanied by an attorney, all federal employees showing proper
identification, and any employee of a state or county law enforcement agency showing proper
identification, ARE PERMITTED TO BRING ANY OF THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED
ELECTRONIC DEVICES INTO THE COURTHOUSE AFTER SUCH DEVICES HAVE
BEEN PROPERLY SCREENED by the United States Marshal Service or a Court Security
Officer. All such devices MUST BE TURNED OFF while in the courtroom or in the vicinity
of a court which is in session. The taking of photographs and the operation of audio or video
recording equipment in the courtroom or its environs, and radio or television broadcasting from
the courtroom during the progress of, or in connection with any judicial proceedings, whether or
not court is in session, is prohibited. Any individual violating this Order is subject to contempt,
and the electronic device is subject to confiscation by the Court.
Members of the general public shall NOT bring any electronic devices into the
courthouse without prior approval of a judge or the clerk of this court. All such items must first
be screened by the United States Marshal Service or a Court Security Officer.
Anyone who refuses to permit the screening of an electrical device shall be prohibited
from bringing such device into the courthouse.
The Clerk shall provide the United States Marshal and all Court Security Officers with a
copy of this Order.
SO ORDERED on behalf of the entire Court this 3RD day of January, 2006.
/s/
CALLIE V. S. GRANADE
Chief United States District Judge
/s/
WILLIAM H. STEELE
United States District Judge
/s/
KRISTI K. DuBOSE
United States District Judge
/s/
VIRGIL PITTMAN
Senior United States District Judge
/s/
W. BREVARD HAND
Senior United States District Judge
/s/
CHARLES R. BUTLER, JR.
Senior United States District Judge
