UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
IN RE: )
) ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY
)
BUSINESS OF THE COURT )
Administrative Order
By direction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, the
designated Lead Tenant Agency of the Thomas F. Eagleton and Rush H. Limbaugh Courthouses
under Executive Order 12977 and Appendix D of the 2021 Department of Homeland Security
Interagency Security Standards,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:
(1) All persons granted entrance into either the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse or the
Rush H. Limbaugh Courthouse are permitted to possess electronic devices such as smartphones
and cellular or mobile devices, computers, and other electronic and web-enabled equipment
while inside the Courthouse, subject to any restrictions set forth by any agency for that agency’s
space within either Courthouse, or as otherwise set forth in this Order;
(2) The possession and usage of other cameras or recording equipment within either
Courthouse is only authorized by specific Order of a Court or policy of an agency within either
building, or as specifically authorized in this Order;
(3) Before persons with cameras, recording equipment, or electronic devices are
granted entry into the Courthouse, all such devices must be examined by Court Security
Personnel. This examination may include, but is not limited to, placing the device through an
automatic or electronic screening and inspection system, and requiring the person possessing the
device to turn the power to the device off and then on;
(4) Unless specifically authorized by the Court or a judge, attorneys using an
electronic device in a pending matter and other persons possessing an electronic device, may use
their device while in common areas of the courthouse, such as lobbies, but the power to all
electronic devices must be turned off upon entry to a courtroom. No person shall be permitted to
leave electronic devices on when entering courtrooms by placing the device in airplane mode or
placing the ringer of the device to vibrate instead of making an audible ring. Use of
photographic, recording, and communication equipment in a courtroom or any area adjacent to a
courtroom is governed by Rule or Order of the specific Court. District Court policy can be found
in Local Rule 13.02 and Bankruptcy Court policy can be found in Local Rule 9075;
(5) For the safety and security of all tenants and members of the public who enter the
Courthouses, no person may use a camera or electronic device to photograph or record the
following interior areas of the Courthouses: any building entrances and exits, security systems,
mechanisms, or measures, security checkpoints, General Service Administration common areas,
public spaces, lobbies, foyers, corridors, and assembly rooms. Prior written approval for
photography or recording in these areas may be granted for matters of public interest by Order
the Chief Judge of the District Court;
(6) The United States Marshals Service may limit the manner and location of the
photography and recording described in paragraph (5) above to protect public ingress and egress
and for any other purposes related to court security;
(7) Under 28 U.S.C. § 566, the United States Marshals Service is directed to enforce
this Order, and may confiscate cameras and electronic devices as necessary to prevent or remedy
any violation of this Order;
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(8) If the United States Marshals Service or the Chief Judge of the District Court
determines that a heightened security threat exists, the United States Marshals Service may
restrict cameras or electronic devices from entering the building until the United States Marshals
Service determines that the heightened security threat is over.
So ordered this 3rd day of June 2024.
STEPHEN R. CLARK
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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