Santa Clara County, CA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose) (Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150. No lockers are needed at Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose) 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 Santa Clara County. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (408) 882-2100 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)
- Address
- 191 N First St, San Jose, CA 95113
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (408) 882-2100
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~6,706 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.santa-clara.courts.ca.gov/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- Santa Clara County Juror Parking Facility (San Jose Judicial Garage)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated Santa Clara County Juror Garage in downtown San Jose. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by San Jose 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.
📋 Santa Clara County Jury Duty: Check-In & Postponement
Check whether you must report The weekend before your service week; standby continues through the week: (408) 808-6666 or reporting status page ↗. To postpone: Online E-Juror Portal, or by mail or in person (not email)
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (Santa Clara County)
Authority: Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150 · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (California); building-level check pending
| Rule / Amenity | Santa Clara County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Allowed (silent mode in courtrooms) | “Superior Court of California (Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)) 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 (Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)) 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 (Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)): "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 (Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)): "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 · Santa Clara County Juror Parking Facility (San Jose Judicial Garage) | “Jury Summons Instructions (Santa Clara County): "Jurors receive free validated parking at Santa Clara County Juror Parking Facility (San Jose 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 (Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)) 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 | ~25 mins peak (arrive 35 mins early) | “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (25 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 (Santa Clara 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 (Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)) 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 in Santa Clara County
| Building | Cases heard | Phones |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Superior Court (DTS) 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113 | civil, probate, small claims | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| Hall of Justice (HOJ) 190-200 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110 | criminal | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| Family Justice Center Courthouse (FJCC) 201 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113 | family, juvenile, traffic | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| Juvenile Justice Courthouse 840 Guadalupe Parkway, San Jose, CA 95110 | juvenile | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| Palo Alto Courthouse 270 Grant Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306 | criminal | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
| South County Morgan Hill Courthouse 301 Diana Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 | criminal, traffic | Allowed on silent (county rule) |
What to Know Before You Go to Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Santa Clara 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 ~25 minutes. Arrive at least 35 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 Santa Clara County, CA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara County Courthouse in San Jose, CA?
Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose) (Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara Standing Order & CRC Rule 1.150.
Does Santa Clara County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
No lockers are needed at Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security.
Where do I park for jury duty at Santa Clara County Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at Santa Clara County Juror Parking Facility (San Jose Judicial Garage). Park in the designated Santa Clara County Juror Garage in downtown San Jose. 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 Santa Clara County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Santa Clara County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 25-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 35 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 Santa Clara 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 (408) 882-2100 or consult a local Santa Clara County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Before You Go
- California jury duty pay & laws
- Santa Clara County jury duty: reporting & postponement
- 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
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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 Santa Clara County Courthouse (San Jose)? Submit a verified update.