Case 1:00-mc-00308 Document 71 Filed 12/07/16 Page 1 of 3
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND
IN RE: *
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
IN TilE COURTHOUSE * MISC. NO. 00-308
******
STANDING ORDER 2016-05
Under Local Rule 506, the Court has generally prohibited any photography,
videorecording, audiorecording, broadcasting, or transmission of court proceedings and
courthouse spaces. In furtherance of this rule and to provide clarification to visitors to the
courthouse, it is hereby
ORDERED that visitors to the courthouse and counsel may bring electronic devices into
the courthouse provided they have been subject to a security inspection and cleared by security
officers upon entrance to the courthousel; and it is further
ORDERED that, by bringing electronic devices into the courthouse, visitors and counsel
are on notice that electronic devices may be subject to confiscation and inspection to determine
whether there has been a violation of Local Rule 506 or this standing order, and by bringing
electronic devices into the courthouse consent to such confiscation and inspection; and it is
further
ORDERED that visitors to the courthouse and counsel may use cellular phones and
transmit wireless data through mobile devices in the public areas of the courthouse provided
these devices are not used for taking photographs or any audio or video recording; and it is
further
I For purposes of this Order. "visitors to the courthouse" includes, but is not limited to, prospective jurors. members
of the media, and case litigants.
Case 1:00-mc-00308 Document 71 Filed 12/07/16 Page 2 of 3 .,
ORDERED that members of this Court's Bar may access the Wi-Fi connection pursuant
to applicable policy restrictions and may use electronic devices subject to the limitations of
Rule 506; and it is further
ORDERED that visitors to the courthouse must tum off all electronic devices before
entering a courtroom and may not use electronic devices in a courtroom without the permission
of the presiding judge; and it is further
ORDERED that counsel may use electronic device in the courtroom while at counsel
table for approved purposes unless prohibited by the presiding judge, provided the devices emit
no sound while in use, and the devices are not used for any activity prohibited by Local Rule
506; and it further
ORDERED that selected jurors may use electronic devices in jury rooms except during
deliberations, unless otherwise instructed by the presiding judge. Selected jurors may not use
electronic devices in the. courtroom while court is in session, and grand jurors may not use
electronic devices in the grand jury room while the grand jury is in session; and it is further
ORDERED that this Order shall apply to the federal courthouses of the United States
District Court for the District of Maryland sitting at Baltimore, Greenbelt, and Salisbury,
Maryland, as well as at any alternate locations where the Court may sit in the District of
Maryland; and it is further
ORDERED that nothing in this Order shall limit or expand the photography and
recording exceptions permitted under Local Rule 506. A judge sponsoring an event at the
courthouse may authorize the photographing or recording of courthouse spaces so long as the
photographing or recording is not prohibited by Local Rule 506.1; and it is further
• Case 1:00-mc-00308 Document 71 Filed 12/07/16 Page 3 of 3
ORDERED that Standing Order 2012-11 is rescinded.
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Date
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Catherine C. Blake, Chief Judge
United States District Court
