Pennsylvania Courthouse Cell Phone Policy (2026)

Short answer: It depends on the county administrative order: 0 of 16 tracked courthouses in Pennsylvania allow silenced cell phones, while 16 prohibit cell phones for general visitors and traffic court defendants. Updated 2026-11-04

Of the 16 county courthouses we track in Pennsylvania, 0 (0%) allow visitors to bring cell phones inside on silent mode, while 16 (100%) ban cell phones for the general public at the security checkpoint. All phone-ban courthouses here provide lobby lockers. Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas vary sharply by county: Philadelphia Stout Center and Dauphin/Lancaster/York enforce strict phone bans or mandatory Yondr pouches / lobby check-in for general visitors, while Allegheny (Pittsburgh) and Montgomery County allow silenced phones.

County CourthouseCityCell phone policyPhone LockersJuror Parking
Philadelphia County
Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall
“First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Security Order (Stout Center for Criminal Justice, 1301 Filbert St): "To prevent witness intimidation and unauthorized recording under Pa.R.Crim.P. 112, general visitors at the Criminal Justice Center must secure or check cell phones at the security checkpoint. Jurors in Room 195 City Hall / Room 105 Stout Center may use devices in the Jury Assembly Room."”
Philadelphia Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) $22/day
Allegheny County
Allegheny County Courthouse (Pittsburgh)
“Allegheny County Courthouse (Pittsburgh) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Pittsburgh Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Courthouse (Norristown)
“Montgomery County Courthouse (Norristown) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Norristown Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Bucks County
Bucks County Courthouse (Doylestown)
“Bucks County Courthouse (Doylestown) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Doylestown Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Delaware County
Delaware County Courthouse (Media)
“Delaware County Courthouse (Media) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Media Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Chester County
Chester County Courthouse (West Chester)
“Chester County Courthouse (West Chester) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
West Chester Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Lancaster County
Lancaster County Courthouse (Lancaster)
“Lancaster County Courthouse (Lancaster) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Lancaster Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
York County
York County Courthouse (York)
“York County Courthouse (York) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
York Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Berks County
Berks County Courthouse (Reading)
“Berks County Courthouse (Reading) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Reading Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Lehigh County
Lehigh County Courthouse (Allentown)
“Lehigh County Courthouse (Allentown) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Allentown Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Luzerne County
Luzerne County Courthouse (Wilkes-Barre)
“Luzerne County Courthouse (Wilkes-Barre) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Wilkes-Barre Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Northampton County
Northampton County Courthouse (Easton)
“Northampton County Courthouse (Easton) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Easton Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County Courthouse (Greensburg)
“Westmoreland County Courthouse (Greensburg) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Greensburg Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Dauphin County
Dauphin County Courthouse (Harrisburg)
“Dauphin County Courthouse (Harrisburg) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Harrisburg Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse (Carlisle)
“Cumberland County Courthouse (Carlisle) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Carlisle Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
Erie County
Erie County Courthouse (Erie)
“Erie County Courthouse (Erie) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Erie Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt Yes (Free) Free Validated
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my cell phone to a courthouse in Pennsylvania?

It depends on the county administrative order: 0 of 16 tracked courthouses in Pennsylvania allow silenced cell phones, while 16 prohibit cell phones for general visitors and traffic court defendants.

Are summoned jurors allowed to bring cell phones in Pennsylvania?

In 16 of 16 counties in Pennsylvania, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons are permitted to bring cell phones into the Jury Assembly Room even when general visitors are banned.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.

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