(a) Prohibited Activities. The following activities are prohibited anywhere on a floor where
a courtroom, jury assembly room, grand-jury room, or clerk’s office is located when
they are done in connection with a judicial proceeding:
(1) taking photographs;
(2) making sound recordings (except by court reporters in the performance of their
duties); and
(3) broadcasting by radio, television, or any other means.
(b) Exceptions.
(1) Ceremonial Proceedings. The court may permit these activities in connection
with investiture, ceremonial, or naturalization proceedings.
(2) U.S. Attorney’s Office Space. The U.S. Attorney may conduct press conferences
and depositions within its office space.
(3) Other Depositions. If the court or clerk approves, a deposition may be taken
and recorded by any means in another space in the courthouse.
(c) Cell Phones and PDAs.
(1) Generally Prohibited. Ordinarily, no one may have a cell phone or personal
digital assistant (“PDA”) in the courthouse.
(2) Exceptions.
(A) Attorneys. Members of the court’s bar may have cell phones and PDAs.
(B) U.S. Marshals. The U.S. Marshal and all deputy marshals may have cell
phones. But they may not have a cell phone in a courtroom unless it is
set so that it cannot ring audibly.
(C) Building Personnel. Courthouse personnel may have cell phones, but not
in a courtroom.
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Civil Rule 83-3
(D) Visiting Federal Law Enforcement Personnel. Visiting federal law-
enforcement personnel may have cell phones if:
(i) the U.S. Marshal’s Service approves them to carry cell phones;
(ii) they only carry the cell phones directly to and from the agency
office they are visiting; and
(iii) they leave the cell phones in the office during their visit.
(3) Restrictions on Use. No one may use a cell phone or PDA in the courthouse for
an improper purpose, including without limitation taking pictures or videos not
permitted under subdivision (a). A judge may confiscate a cell phone or PDA or
fine its user up to $1,500 (or both) if the cell phone or PDA makes an audible
noise in the judge’s courtroom while court is in session.
Local Rules |Northern District of Indiana Page | 57
Civil Rule 83-5
