Can You Bring a Pocket Knife to Court or Jury Duty? (2026)
Short answer: No. Knives of any size are prohibited. Each courthouse sets its own security rules, so check yours before you go.
At court (visitors, defendants, witnesses)
Knives, multi-tools and box cutters are prohibited in almost every courthouse, including tiny keychain knives. Security will confiscate the knife or send you back outside.
At jury duty
Same rule for jurors.
Tips
- Check your keyring before you leave home.
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.
Related: Courthouse prohibited items list
Other Items
- a Laptop
- a Smartwatch (Apple Watch)
- AirPods or Headphones
- Food and Snacks
- a Water Bottle
- a Book or Kindle
- a Phone Charger or Power Bank
- Medication
- a Vape or E-Cigarette
- Pepper Spray
- an Umbrella
- Your Children
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you bring a pocket knife to court?
No. Knives of any size are prohibited. Knives, multi-tools and box cutters are prohibited in almost every courthouse, including tiny keychain knives. Security will confiscate the knife or send you back outside.
Can you bring a pocket knife to jury duty?
Same rule for jurors.