Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse (E.D. Cal.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Electronic devices, including cell phones, iPads and laptops, are allowed in the courthouse. They may be used for email, calls, texting and browsing in public areas. Use in the courtroom is prohibited unless the presiding judge allows it. Photography with any device is not allowed in the courthouse. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Public phones | Allowed for the public |
| Rule for visitors | Electronic devices, including cell phones, iPads and laptops, are allowed in the courthouse. They may be used for email, calls, texting and browsing in public areas. Use in the courtroom is prohibited unless the presiding judge allows it. Photography with any device is not allowed in the courthouse. |
| Jurors | Devices may be used in the jury lounge but not in the courtroom without the judge's permission. Jurors must not post about their jury status, read news about a trial, or research a case. |
Federal and county courthouses set separate rules. If your case is in state or county court (traffic, family, most criminal cases, state jury duty), see California county courthouses.
Other Federal Courthouses in California
- First Street U.S. Courthouse (Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez U.S. Courthouse)
- Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse
- James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse?
Electronic devices, including cell phones, iPads and laptops, are allowed in the courthouse. They may be used for email, calls, texting and browsing in public areas. Use in the courtroom is prohibited unless the presiding judge allows it. Photography with any device is not allowed in the courthouse.
Can jurors bring phones to the Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse?
Devices may be used in the jury lounge but not in the courtroom without the judge's permission. Jurors must not post about their jury status, read news about a trial, or research a case.
Can I bring a gun or knife into a federal courthouse?
No. Federal law (18 U.S.C. § 930) prohibits firearms and dangerous weapons in federal court facilities, with narrow exceptions such as on-duty law enforcement.