FILED
Jun 06 2025
United States District Court
Northern District of Ohio
General Order
AMENDED GENERAL ORDER NO. 2009-21
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
)
IN RE: CELLPHONES, CAMERAS, )
LAPTOPS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC ) ORDER NO. 2009-21-4
DEVICES IN U.S. COURTHOUSES )
)
This Order applies to all participants and spectators in the courtroom or in a
video or telephonic court proceeding, and to all visitors to the Clerk’s Office and the
Pretrial Services and Probation Office. This Order also acknowledges and reaffirms the
Court’s policy set forth in Local Rule 83.1 prohibiting “the taking of photographs,
recording, or broadcasting by any electronic device including cellular phones, cameras,
radio, television, or other means” in a federal court facility.
Absent approval from the presiding judicial officer, all electronic devices including
but not limited to cellphones, smartphones, smartwatches, tablets (such as iPads), and
laptop computers must be turned off prior to entering courtrooms. Electronic devices
may be used outside the courtrooms only. Counsel of record and their staff may use
electronic devices at the counsel tables provided that the rules prohibiting photography,
recording, and broadcasting are not violated.
Judicial officers have the authority to prohibit any device capable of taking,
recording, storing and/or transmitting audio, photo, and/or video data from their
courtroom and chambers or during any live remote court proceeding. With the exception
of official or authorized court reporters, recording and transcribing any court proceeding
without express permission from the presiding judicial officer is prohibited.
This Order also prohibits the use of any device to take, record, transcribe, store
and/or transmit audio, photo and/or video data in the Clerk’s Office, at the intake
window, or in the Pretrial Services and Probation Office.
Judicial officers, the United States Marshal and deputies, court security officers,
and any other federal security force authorized by law have the authority to enforce this
Order.
(A) Confiscation. Authorized personnel may confiscate any cellphone, camera,
or other electronic device being used in violation of this Order. Devices
confiscated in the courtroom will not be returned until the conclusion of all
proceedings at the direction of the presiding judicial officer. Devices confiscated
in the Clerk’s Office, at the intake window, or in the Pretrial Services and
Probation Office will be returned at the direction of the Chief Judge.
(B) Deletion of Data. Authorized personnel may remove or delete data collected
in violation of this Order on any device used to collect or store the data.
(C) Dismissal. Any violation of this Order may result in the immediate dismissal
or exclusion of the offending individual from the federal court facility.
(D) Sanction. Violators may be subject to sanction for contempt of court.
This Order supersedes all previously issued General Orders regarding electronic
devices in federal court facilities.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
FOR THE COURT
Sara Lioi
Chief Judge
