IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
INRE:
PROCEDURES REGARDING THE ST ANDING ORDER
POSSESSION AND USE OF CAMERAS
AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC
DEVICES BY VISITORS TO UNITED
ST ATES COURTHOUSES AND OTHER
FEDERAL COURT LOCATIONS IN
THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
Effective June 3, 2019, the United States Marshal will implement a new procedure to
regulate the possession and use of cameras and personal electronic devices, such as cellular
telephones, smart phones, laptop computers, recording devices, and tablet computers, by all
visitors to all United States courthouses and other federal court locations in the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania. This procedure is intended to ensure the personal security and privacy of
parties, witnesses, judges, jurors, and counsel involved in court proceedings.
The Court orders the following :
1. All cameras and personal electronic devices shall be subject to inspection upon entry at
all designated court security checkpoints. Such devices may not be used in violation of
Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53 (prohibiting courtroom photography and
broadcasting in criminal cases), and Local Civil Rule 83.3 (prohibiting courtroom
photography and broadcasting in all cases, except upon approval by the Chief Judge for
investiture, ceremonial, or naturalization proceedings);
2. Subject to the exemptions set forth in Paragraph 4 of this Standing Order, all cameras,
cellular telephones, smart phones, and similarly sized personal electronic devices shall be
turned off in the presence of court security officers upon entry to the courthouse and
placed in a locked pouch provided by the U.S. Marshal. Devices shall remain in the
locked pouch in the possession of the owner while in the courthouse;
3. The locked pouch may not be intentionally opened, damaged, or tampered with while in
the visitor' s possession, and must be returned to the court security officers before leaving
the courthouse, at which time the personal electronic device will be returned to the
visitor. Intentional damage to, or theft of, the locked pouch will subject the visitor to
possible criminal penalties;
4. Unless otherwise ordered by the Chief Judge, or the presiding judge in a specific case,
only the following persons shall be exempt from placing their personal electronic devices
in a locked pouch:
a. All attorneys with either a valid bar identification card or credentials of the
U.S. Department of Justice or the Office of the Federal Public Defender;
b. Summoned and seated petit or grand jurors, subject to any restrictions
imposed by the presiding judge;
c. Judicial officers, employees of the U.S. District Court or the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Third Circuit, and other federal court employees on official
business with valid court-issued identification;
d. Volunteer law clerks and/or interns for the U.S. District Court or the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit with valid court-issued identification or
documentation;
e. Law enforcement officials on official business with valid identification or
badge;
f. Members of the press or media representatives on official business with valid
identification from their news organization, whose electronic devices must be
turned off (not on silent or vibrate mode) before entering the courtroom;
5. Any person listed as exempt in Paragraph 4 shall comply with the ban on photography,
broadcasting, and recording in Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53 and Local Civil
Rule 83.3 , and shall not allow their camera or personal electronic device to be used by
others, or used in violation of any law, rule, or judicial order.
