San Mateo County, CA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City) (San Mateo 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 San Mateo Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150. No lockers are needed at San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City) 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 San Mateo County. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (650) 261-5100 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)
- Address
- 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (650) 261-5100
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~2,594 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.san-mateo.courts.ca.gov/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- San Mateo County Juror Parking Facility (Redwood City Judicial Garage)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated San Mateo County Juror Garage in downtown Redwood City. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by Redwood City 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 (San Mateo County)
Authority: Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150 · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (California); building-level check pending
| Rule / Amenity | San Mateo County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Allowed (silent mode in courtrooms) | “Superior Court of California (San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)) 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 (San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)) 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 (San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)): "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 (San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)): "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 · San Mateo County Juror Parking Facility (Redwood City Judicial Garage) | “Jury Summons Instructions (San Mateo County): "Jurors receive free validated parking at San Mateo County Juror Parking Facility (Redwood City 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 (San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)) 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 (San Mateo 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 (San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)) 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 San Mateo County
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers | Validated free (San Mateo County Juror Parking Facility (Redwood City Judicial Garage)) |
| San Mateo County Traffic & Misdemeanor Annex Traffic, Small Claims & Branch Court · Annex Facility, Redwood City, CA 94063 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers on site | Surface lot / metered street parking around annex |
What to Know Before You Go to San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in San Mateo 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 San Mateo County, CA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in San Mateo 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 San Mateo County Courthouse in Redwood City, CA?
Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City) (San Mateo 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 San Mateo Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150.
Does San Mateo County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
No lockers are needed at San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security.
Where do I park for jury duty at San Mateo County Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at San Mateo County Juror Parking Facility (Redwood City Judicial Garage). Park in the designated San Mateo County Juror Garage in downtown Redwood City. 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 San Mateo County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the San Mateo County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City) 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 San Mateo 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 (650) 261-5100 or consult a local San Mateo County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
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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 San Mateo County Courthouse (Redwood City)? Submit a verified update.