Imperial County, CA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro) (Imperial County, CA). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Superior Court of California, County of Imperial Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150. No lockers are needed at Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security. Last checked
How sure is this? This page applies the statewide California court rule to Imperial County. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (760) 482-2200 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)
- Address
- 939 W Main St, El Centro, CA 92243
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (760) 482-2200
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~639 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- Imperial County Juror Parking Facility (El Centro Judicial Garage)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated Imperial County Juror Garage in downtown El Centro. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by El Centro local bus and regional transit stops within 2 blocks of the main courthouse entrance. Warning: If arriving by Uber, Lyft, or bus at a phone-ban facility without lockers, do not bring prohibited electronics.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (Imperial County)
Authority: Superior Court of California, County of Imperial Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150 · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (California); building-level check pending
| Rule / Amenity | Imperial County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Allowed (silent mode in courtrooms) | “Superior Court of California (Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)) CRC Rule 1.150 Notice: "Cell phones and electronic devices may be brought into the courthouse. All devices must be turned off or silenced inside courtrooms. Photographing, recording, or broadcasting in any courtroom or courthouse hallway is a misdemeanor/contempt of court."” |
| Cell phones banned | Phones allowed on silent | “Superior Court of California (Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)) CRC Rule 1.150 Notice: "Cell phones and electronic devices may be brought into the courthouse. All devices must be turned off or silenced inside courtrooms. Photographing, recording, or broadcasting in any courtroom or courthouse hallway is a misdemeanor/contempt of court."” |
| Phone lockers at entrance | No lockers needed (phones allowed inside) | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | Safe for Uber/bus (phones allowed inside) | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Free validated parking · Imperial County Juror Parking Facility (El Centro Judicial Garage) | “Jury Summons Instructions (Imperial County): "Jurors receive free validated parking at Imperial County Juror Parking Facility (El Centro Judicial Garage). Bring your parking stub inside to the Jury Assembly Room for validation—do not park at 2-hour street meters."” |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | “Superior Court of California (Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)) CRC Rule 1.150 Notice: "Cell phones and electronic devices may be brought into the courthouse. All devices must be turned off or silenced inside courtrooms. Photographing, recording, or broadcasting in any courtroom or courthouse hallway is a misdemeanor/contempt of court."” |
| Security line wait times | ~10 mins peak (arrive 20 mins early) | “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (10 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | “Courtroom Decorum Order (Imperial County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | “Superior Court of California (Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)) CRC Rule 1.150 Notice: "Cell phones and electronic devices may be brought into the courthouse. All devices must be turned off or silenced inside courtrooms. Photographing, recording, or broadcasting in any courtroom or courthouse hallway is a misdemeanor/contempt of court."” |
Courthouse Buildings & Branch Annexes in Imperial County
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 939 W Main St, El Centro, CA 92243 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers | Validated free (Imperial County Juror Parking Facility (El Centro Judicial Garage)) |
What to Know Before You Go to Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Imperial County are permitted to bring cell phones and laptops through the security checkpoint into the Jury Assembly Room. Show your printed Jury Summons to the Sheriff deputy at the magnetometer.
🚗 If You Have Traffic, Family, or Criminal Court
You may bring your cell phone inside on silent mode. Do not take your phone out inside a courtroom unless the judge explicitly asks you to display digital proof of insurance or exhibits.
👔 Dress Code & Security Line
Peak morning screening (8:00 AM – 9:15 AM) takes ~10 minutes. Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Remove belts, coins, and keychains before the magnetometer.
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in Imperial County, CA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Imperial County, CA, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my cell phone to Imperial County Courthouse in El Centro, CA?
Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro) (Imperial County, CA). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Superior Court of California, County of Imperial Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150.
Does Imperial County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
No lockers are needed at Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security.
Where do I park for jury duty at Imperial County Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at Imperial County Juror Parking Facility (El Centro Judicial Garage). Park in the designated Imperial County Juror Garage in downtown El Centro. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to Imperial County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Imperial County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 10-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 20 minutes before your court call). Dress code: Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms.
What happens if I am turned away at security and miss my Imperial County court call?
If a bailiff denies you entry because you brought a prohibited phone without a car or wore prohibited attire, missing your docket call in traffic or criminal court can result in a default conviction or a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant. Contact the Clerk at (760) 482-2200 or consult a local Imperial County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Before You Go
- What to bring to jury duty
- What to bring to traffic court
- Prohibited items at security
- Postpone jury duty / check reporting status
- Jury duty scam calls
Other County Courthouses in California
- Los Angeles County (Los Angeles)
- San Diego County (San Diego)
- Orange County (Santa Ana)
- Riverside County (Riverside)
- San Bernardino County (San Bernardino)
- Santa Clara County (San Jose)
- Alameda County (Oakland)
- Sacramento County (Sacramento)
- Contra Costa County (Martinez)
- Fresno County (Fresno)
- Kern County (Bakersfield)
- Ventura County (Ventura)
- All 35 California counties →
Last checked 2026-11-04. Administrative orders and security protocols can change by order of the Chief Judge or County Sheriff. Spot an update at Imperial County Courthouse (El Centro)? Submit a verified update.