Guidelines for Portable Communication Devices

On September 12, 2017, in the news release, the US Federal Courts announced guidance on the use of these devices in courthouses.  The document, in particular, discusses the use of devices by the media.  More below.

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“In June 2017, the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management of the Judicial Conference of the United States, with the concurrences of the Committee on Information Technology and the Committee on Judicial Security, updated it's 2010 guidance on the admission of portable communication devices into the courthouse.

The devices covered were:

• cellular phones; 
• “smartphones” (e.g., iPhones, Android devices, and other mobile phones that perform many of the functions of a computer); 
• tablets; 
• laptop computers; 
• devices that wirelessly connect to and pair with computers and smartphones to 
• transmit data (including smart watches, earpieces, headphones, and fitness trackers); and 
• audio recorders, still cameras, and video cameras that can connect wirelessly to other devices.

The guidance allows local jurisdictions to create their own rules that may completely prohibit the admission of the devices, or “only allow attorneys to bring them into the courthouse with stringent restrictions on their use”.

The guidance discusses use by the media, including the use of social media platforms, and use in courthouses with separate closed-circuit viewing areas.  The guidance suggests a formal request process for credentialed media.  And it allows media to send and receive text messages in courtrooms “if it does not disrupt proceedings”.

The size of devices in relation to security concerns is discussed and to work with the US Marshall and judicial security inspector for local policies.

A useful section of the guide lists court administration implications such as the impact on court security officer workloads and entry delays. And one area that I particularly endorse discusses the need for storage facilities to be provided by the court for persons to place their prohibited items.

The full guidance document can be downloaded at http://www.uscourts.gov/file/22478/download