UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
IN THE MATTER OF )
)
CELLULAR PHONES AND ELECTRONIC )
DEVICES IN COURTROOMS )
GENERAL ORDER
Rule 53 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and policy of the Judicial
Conference of the United States provide that courtroom proceedings in civil and criminal
cases in federal district courts may not be broadcast, televised, recorded, or photographed.
In an effort to increase compliance with Rule 53 and Judicial Conference policy, as
well as to mitigate interference with sensitive courtroom sound equipment, the United
States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana hereby ORDERS that cellular
phones, electronic tablets, personal digital assistants, and all other electronic devices
capable of audio or video recording be turned off (and not simply silenced) in all
courtrooms of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Judges have the right to permit counsel and parties to turn such devices on, at the
presiding judge's express verbal or written direction.
Specific exceptions to this Order are made for ceremonial proceedings, including
naturalization ceremonies. The use of cellular phone and other electronic devices in
courtrooms is allowed on these occasions.
Violation of this order may be punished as criminal contempt, and violators face
possible sanction of confiscation of the device ; fine; and/or imprisonment. This General
Order does not apply to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of
Indiana.
SO ORDERED.
All of which is done at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 29th day of May, 2014.
For the Court,
RICHARD L. YO G, Chief Judge
United States District Court
