US DI FILED
WYOMING FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT GENERAL ORDER RE{D(Bm~~g~I~1
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES JUL 2 1 2011
Administrative General Order 2011-04
Whereas, the Court recognizes that the use of Wireless §l@~ID+mrfMiq.q k
Devices has become a necessary part of the legal practice Cb.~nrt4!ialer
presentation. To that extent the Court believes a general order is necessary to
define how and when Wireless Communication Devices can be utilized to avoid
disruption and/or distraction from court proceedings and business, while
allowing their effective use by counsel. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED as
follows:
1. Devices covered: for purposes of this order "Wireless Communication
Devices" are those electronic devices that are capable of wirelessly
transmitting voice and/or data including, but not limited to mobile
phones, cellular communication devices and personal digital assistants
(PDAs) and/or computers.
2. This General Order acknowledges and reaffirms the Court's policy as set
forth under Local Rule 83.4.1, which strictly prohibits in any courtroom
the operation of any audio or video recording device to record or
photograph court proceedings, absent express authorization by the
presiding judge.
3. This General Order is not applicable to employees of the Wyoming
Federal District Court, including the Clerk of Court, Judicial staff and
court reporters, Probation Office employees, Bankruptcy Court
employees, Court Security Officers and the U.S. Marshal's Office.
4. Except as provided in this General Order, no person may use or possess
a Wireless Communication Device in any courtroom or any premises
under the direct control of the Court. With limited exception this
applies to the entire Ewing T. Kerr Courthouse in Casper, Clifford P.
Hansen Courthouse in Jackson, Yellowstone Justice Center, Mammoth,
second floor of the Joseph C. O'Mahoney Federal Courthouse in
Cheyenne and any other spaces that from time to time may be utilized
and controlled by Federal District Court of Wyoming for official Court
business.
5. Unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, attorneys who are
admitted to practice before this Court are allowed to possess and bring
into court buildings Wireless Communication Devices subject to the
following limitations and requirements, necessary to avoid disruption
and/or distraction:
a. Wireless Communication Devices shall be turned off (vibrating is
not off) unless in designated use spaces. So long as done in a non
disruptive manner, attorneys of record may use laptop computers
that can access the internet at counsel tables, provided that the rules
prohibiting photography, recording and broadcasting court
proceedings are not violated and all audio sounds are muted.
Attorneys of record may use cell phones, PDAs and Wireless
Communication Devices (other than laptop computers that can
access the internet) at counsel table only with the express
permission of the presiding judge. Audio and/or video
communications with a third party outside the courtroom are
strictly prohibited.
b. Those designated use spaces are identified on the attached map for
the applicable courthouses.
c. No witness, juror, client, party or member of the general public shall
be allowed to possess or use any Wireless Communication Device.
6. Copies of this General Order shall be made available by the Clerk of
Court to persons entering court facilities and this General Order shall
be conspicuously posted at main courthouse entrances. Any person who
brings a Wireless Communication Device into a court building shall be
deemed to have consented to the terms and conditions of, and to be
subject to, this General Order.
7. Any attorney violating this General Order may be subject to discipline
under Local Rule 83.12.1.
8. A violation of this General Order, including without limitation,
unauthorized possession of a Wireless Communication Device, use of a
Wireless Communication Device in an unauthorized space, possession of
a Wireless Communication Device in an audible mode, and failing to
turn OFF (vibrate mode is not OFF) a ~'ireless Communication Devices
when required, MAY result in the immE~diate removal of the person in
violation of this General Order. Upon Order of the Court, any United
States Marshal or Deputy Marshal is authorized to confiscate, seize and
inspect Wireless Communication Devices used or suspected of being
used in violation of this General Order, or remove the person suspected
to be in violation of this General Order. Seized Wireless
Communication Devices may not be returned until the conclusion of
proceedings or as otherwise directed by the presiding judge.
9. A violation of this General Order may be punished by criminal contempt
of court, giving due consideration to the nature of the violation and any
history of similar or past violations. A violation that disrupts a judicial
proceeding may be punished by direct summary contempt proceedings.
10. Repeated violations by counsel may result in sanctions as well as the
loss of privilege to possess a Wireless Communication Device in any
courtroom or any premises under the dirE~ct control of the Court.
Dated this 2-d day of July, 2011.
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