IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA
IN THE MATTER OF: ORDER
COURTHOUSE SECURITY AND THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
POSSESSION AND USE OF CAMERAS,
RECORDING DEVICES, COMMUNICATION NO. 25-AO-7-P
DEVICES, AND COMPUTERS
1. Applicability and Responsibility
This Order supersedes all prior Administrative Orders regarding courthouse security and the possession of
electronic devices inside the courthouse, including 15-AO-5-P (August 17, 2015) and is applicable to all
courthouse facilities (hereinafter "courthouse") in the Southern District of Iowa, including the U.S.
Courthouses in Des Moines Council Bluffs and Davenport occupied by the court or used for court
activities. The U.S. Marshal has overall responsibility for implementation of this Order.
2. Screening and Inspection
a. Persons
All persons entering a courthouse shall present a government photo identification to the Court Security
Officer upon entry. All persons entering a courthouse are subject to reasonable inspection for weapons
and prohibited items. Inspection will be by a security screening system using, initially, a magnetometer.
If the magnetometer alarm is triggered, the person will be required to pass through a second time. If this
is unsuccessful a hand-held metal detector will be used to determine the source of the alarm. If the hand-
held metal detector does not determine the object causing the alarm and the person still seeks admission
to the courthouse, a body pat-down solely for the purpose of detecting the presence of weapons may be
conducted. No person who has activated the magnetometer will be allowed to enter the courthouse until
the Court Security Officer (CSO) at the courthouse entrance is reasonably assured that the person is
not carrying a weapon.
b. Mail. Parcels. Packages. Briefcases. Computers. Laptops. and Personal Belongings
All mail, parcels, packages, briefcases, computers, laptops, and personal belongings entering a
courthouse will likewise be subject to reasonable inspection for weapons and prohibited items.
Typically, inspection will be by passing items through an x-ray machine. If x-ray inspection does
not give the CSO assurance that the item does not contain a weapon or prohibited item, the CSO may
require that the item be opened for visual inspection, provided, however, that in the case of mail the
CSO will notify the addressee and the U.S. Marshal of the suspicious nature of any mail and retain the
mail at the designated courthouse entrance until further directed. Staff shall utilize safety precautions
when opening mail or packages by using the vented fume hoods in the mail room to mitigate any
chemical or biological exposure or contamination within the courthouse.
c. Refusal to Submit to Inspection
Any person refusing to allow an inspection provided for in this Order will be denied entrance to the
courthouse.
d. Federal Government Employees
Federal government employees possessing a valid agency photograph identification, whose workplace
is in a courthouse or who enter a courthouse in the course of their duties are not subject to the routine
security screening and inspection provisions in paragraphs 2.a and b. Outside Federal government
employees who possess a valid agency photograph identification, whose workplace is not in the
courthouse, are subject to the routine security screening and inspection unless otherwise approved by
USMS and/or Judiciary.
3. Prohibited Items
Subject to sections 4 and 5, below, the following items are prohibited in any courthouse or upon any
courthouse grounds:
a. firearms, explosive devices, knives, regardless of the length of the blade, and other dangerous
weapons as defined in 18 U.S.C. 930.g.2, and Public Administrative Order NO. 23-AO-4-P.
b. Electronic devices that capture, record, broadcast, transmit, or store anything by use of
electronic, photographic, audio, or visual means are prohibited. These items include cellphones,
computers, electronic readers, cameras, audio/video recorders, wireless communication
devices, smart glasses and smart watches, and any functionally similar devices.
c. The term "courthouse grounds" includes the following:
(I) All property owned, leased or used by the federal government appurtenant to any facility
utilized for federal court proceedings within the Southern District of Iowa.
(II) Property used from time to time by the federal court for the purposes of conducting
federal court proceedings on the days that such court proceedings take place.
(III) All other grounds, including, but not limited to the walkways, steps, courtyards, plazas,
landscaped areas maintained by the courthouse, and parking lots of these courthouses.
Prohibited items which are lawful to possess will be returned to the person with instructions to
remove them from courthouse property. Items which are not lawful to possess, or which are not
lawful to possess on federal property, will be handled as deemed appropriate based on the law
enforcement judgment of the CSOs, U.S. Marshals, and Federal Protective Service.
4. Exceptions
a. Authorization by a Judge
When authorized by a judicial officer and approved by the Chief Judge, the devices identified in
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paragraph 3.b are allowed in the courthouse and may be used in the courthouse and its environs
for ceremonial proceedings, educational seminars, and any other court proceeding deemed
appropriate based on the judicial officer’s recommendation and review of security
considerations.
b. Authorization by Agency
When authorized by an agency that has offices located in a courthouse (collectively the agency),
attorneys, media, or others having business with an agency may enter the courthouse with audio, film,
or video recording equipment solely for use in the offices of the agency authorizing such devices. Upon
arrival the CSOs will inform the visitor that the devices may only be used in the offices of the agency,
and that recording or transmitting of court proceedings is strictly prohibited. The CSO will then notify
the agency that the visitor has arrived, and the agency is responsible for escorting the visitor to the
agency's offices. The agency concerned is responsible for ensuring that the devices are used only in
the agency's offices and not in any courtroom or its environs as defined in Local Rule 83.4C.
c. Repair Persons and Contractors
Except for firearms and explosive devices, which are strictly prohibited, repair persons and
contractors and their employees may enter a courthouse with such tools, and cellular telephones,
as reasonably necessary to perform their work. Tools will be inspected as in the case of other
items entering the courthouse and if the tools include an item which would otherwise be
prohibited the CSOs will contact the agency for whom the repair person or contractor is
performing work to verify the person's status. Unless pre-cleared by the U.S. Marshals, the person
will not be allowed past the entrance until a representative of the agency appears to escort the
person to the work area. The contractor and agency escort shall sign the USM-81A Form prior to
departing to their work area. The CSOs will advise the person that any tools which would
otherwise be prohibited are restricted to the area where work will be performed. The contractor
will be given a contractor access pass that shall be visible during their visit and returned prior to
their departure.
d. Federal Government Employees
(I) Paragraph 3.b does not apply to federal government employees as defined in
paragraph 2.d.
(II) Notwithstanding paragraph 3.a, Southern District of Iowa federal government
employees who work within the courthouse are permitted to possess and use
kitchen and small pocketknives in their respective office space.
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e. Bar Members. Staff. Law Enforcement Officers. and Jurors
Members of the Bar of the Southern District of Iowa, attorneys admitted pro hac vice, employees of
Members of the Bar, Law Enforcement Officers, and seated jurors are allowed to bring cell phones,
computers, and other communication devices into the courthouse, as needed for the individual functions
each performs while present for court business. Any electronic devices in courtrooms shall be disabled
from making audible sound. Bar members shall present state or federal ID upon entry.
f. Locked Pouch
Any visitor who is not covered under Paragraphs 4.a-e, may use a locked pouch, provided by the
Southern District of Iowa, to secure their cell phone and/or smart watch while inside the
courthouse.
(I) Devices placed in a locked pouch shall remain in the possession of the visitor
while in the courthouse. The locked pouch may not be willfully opened, damaged,
or tampered with while in the visitor’s possession and shall be returned when the
visitor exits the building.
(II) Willful damage, attempted damage, theft, or attempted theft of the locked pouch
may subject the visitor to criminal penalties, including but not limited to fines and
imprisonment of up to 10 years pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § §641 and 1361.
5. Possession and Carrying of Firearms by Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs)
a. Only U.S. Marshals, CSOs, and law enforcement officers working under their direction may
carry firearms in the U.S. Courthouses located in the Southern District of Iowa, as permitted
by agency regulations which govern their activities. Other LEOs may not carry a firearm
in the U.S. Courthouses located in the Southern District of Iowa, except under the
following circumstances:
(I) When transporting a prisoner;
(II) When transporting firearms which are needed as evidence in a court proceeding in
accordance with LCrR 57B(f), and then only after the firearm has been disabled and
inspected by the U.S. Marshals;
(III) United States Probation and Pretrial Services Officers for the Southern District of Iowa
entering the facility and securing the firearm in their designated workspace;
(IV) Federal Protective Services (FPS) Officers and FPS Contract Guards conducting official
duties;
(V) When entering or remaining in a courthouse afterhours, or at any time the courthouse is
not open for business, and in these circumstances, firearms shall be promptly secured in a
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gun locker within the offices of a building tenant; or
(VI) When entering the courthouse to perform law enforcement activities in response to an
emergency.
When a LEO enters the U.S. Courthouse with a firearm, the CSO shall inform the LEO of
the policy against firearms in the courthouse and direct the LEO to the gun lockers
provided near the main public entrances. The LEO will store their firearm in the gun locker
until the LEO leaves the courthouse. The CSO will verify that the LEO's firearm has been
secured, and that the logbook has been completed and signed. If a LEO is escorted through
a door other than the main entrance, the person accompanying the LEO shall inform the
LEO of the policy against firearms in the U.S. Courthouse and direct the LEO to the CSOs
to secure the firearm. Upon departure, the LEO will retrieve their firearm from the gun locker
and complete the logbook annotating the departure time.
b. To enforce this Order, LEOs shall be required to enter the courthouse through the public
entrances. In consultation with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Marshals may allow LEOs
temporary access through non-public entrances using the access control system.
6. Local Rule 83C
Local Rule 83C governs the use of audio and video recording, radio, television, photography,
communication devices, and computers in courthouses. A copy of the rule shall be available at
the public entrance to all courthouses upon request.
7. Modification by Judicial Officer and Revised by Facility Security Committee
The rules and procedures outlined above are subject to exception or modification by a judicial officer
in specific circumstances and may be revised or modified by the Court Security Committee.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 24th day of November, 2025.
______________________________________________
STEPHANIE M. ROSE, Chief Judge
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA
FILED
By: Clerk’s Office, Southern District of Iowa
10:00 am, Dec 01 2025 5
