UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
GENERAL ORDER NO. 2005-04
IN RE: Use of Wireless Communication Devices in Courthouses
There is an ever-growing number of wireless communication devices that have the
capability of recording and/or transmitting sound, picture and video. These devices include cell
phones, camera phones, PDAs, Blackberrys and laptop communications. These devices may be
used in a manner that is undetectable, such as taking photos in the courtroom or recording
testimony. This policy limits the unauthorized use of cell phones and other wireless
communications in the courtroom. The policy also sets forth guidelines for communication
devices brought into our courthouses by attorneys, officers of the court and the general public.
Judicial conference policy states that courtroom proceedings in civil and criminal cases in
the district courts may not be broadcast, televised, recorded or photographed for the purpose of
public dissemination. This policy is set forth in The Guide to Judiciary Policies and Procedures,
Vol. 1, Chapter 3, Part E.
Specific exceptions in the Western District of Kentucky’s policy, permits the use of
cameras and other equipment for ceremonial proceedings, naturalization proceedings and any
other district event approved by judicial authority. The judicial official may modify courtroom
policy for his or her courtroom during sensitive cases, or special events requiring the use of
wireless communication devices.
The Western District of Kentucky’s main courthouse is located at 601 W. Broadway,
Louisville, Kentucky. The following guidelines apply to all employees, visitors and attorneys
while inside the courthouse:
1. Employees and the general public, to include visitors, vendors and all persons
having business in the courthouse are permitted to bring wireless communication
devices through security screening and into the courthouse.
2. No visitor to the courthouse will be permitted to take a wireless communication
device into the courtroom areas. Courtroom areas are on the 1st, 2nd and 5th floors.
Visitors having business on the 1st, 2nd and 5th floors will leave their wireless
communication devices in their vehicle or consult with a CSO for storage. The
U.S. Marshals Services will not be responsible for lost or stolen articles. The U.S.
Marshals Service will coordinate with district court to post signs regarding this
policy.
3. All attorneys having business with the U. S. District Court or the U. S.
Bankruptcy Court of the Western District of Kentucky will be permitted to bring
wireless communication devices through security screening and into the
courthouse. These devices may remain on their person, but MUST remain in the
“off” position while on the 1st, 2nd and 5th floors unless previously approved by
the judicial official.
4. All officers of the court, judicial staff, law clerks, federal agents and CSOs will be
permitted to bring wireless communication devices through security screening and
into the courthouse. These devices may remain on their person, but MUST
remain in the “off” position while on the 1st, 2nd and 5th floors unless previously
approved by the judicial official.
Western District of Kentucky
Bowling Green, Owensboro and Paducah Courthouses
Policy on Wireless Communication Devices
1. The general public, to include visitors, vendors and all persons having business in
the courthouse are NOT permitted to bring wireless communication devices into
the courthouse. Visitors should be encouraged to return these devices to their
vehicle or may be temporarily stored with a CSO at the entrance to the
courthouse.
2. All attorneys having business with the U. S. District Court or the U. S.
Bankruptcy Court of the Western District of Kentucky will be permitted to bring
wireless communication devices through security screening and into the
courthouse. These devices may remain on their person, but MUST remain in the
“off” position while in or near the courtroom unless previously approved by the
judicial official.
3. All officers of the court, judicial staff, law clerks, federal agents and CSOs will be
permitted to wireless communication devices through security screening and into
the courthouse. These devices may remain on their person, but MUST remain in
the “off” position while in or near the courtrooms unless previously approved by
the judicial official.
4. Specific exceptions in the Western District of Kentucky’s policy, permits the use
of cameras and other equipment for ceremonial proceedings, naturalization
proceedings and any other district event approved by judicial authority. The
judicial official may modify courtroom policy for his or her courtroom during
sensitive cases, or special events requiring the use of wireless communication
devices.
IT IS SO ORDERED THIS 12th day of October, 2005.
