Can You Bring Food and Snacks to Court or Jury Duty? (2026)
Short answer: Usually fine in the jury room; not allowed in courtrooms. Each courthouse sets its own security rules, so check yours before you go.
At court (visitors, defendants, witnesses)
Most courthouses let you carry snacks through security, but eating or drinking in a courtroom is not allowed. Glass containers and metal utensils are often refused.
At jury duty
Jurors may usually bring snacks and lunch into the assembly room. Some courts have a cafeteria or vending machines; many jurors leave for lunch at a set time.
Tips
- Pack food in plastic, not glass.
- Bring a plastic fork, not metal.
- Avoid strong-smelling food in shared rooms.
104 of the 399 large county courthouses we track ban phones for the general public. Electronics rules follow the phone rule, so look up your courthouse: phone policy by county or the phone checker.
Other Items
- a Laptop
- a Smartwatch (Apple Watch)
- AirPods or Headphones
- a Water Bottle
- a Book or Kindle
- a Phone Charger or Power Bank
- Medication
- a Vape or E-Cigarette
- a Pocket Knife
- Pepper Spray
- an Umbrella
- Your Children
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bring food and snacks to court?
Usually fine in the jury room; not allowed in courtrooms. Most courthouses let you carry snacks through security, but eating or drinking in a courtroom is not allowed. Glass containers and metal utensils are often refused.
Can you bring food and snacks to jury duty?
Jurors may usually bring snacks and lunch into the assembly room. Some courts have a cafeteria or vending machines; many jurors leave for lunch at a set time.