Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (N.D. Cal.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Phones and other devices may be brought in after security screening. They may be used, including online, in a non-disruptive way for anything except photography, recording or streaming. Photography and recording are banned in courtrooms and common areas. Judges may restrict or ban device use in their courtrooms. Smart glasses that can record are barred from San Francisco courtrooms (and entirely from the Oakland, San Jose and McKinleyville courthouses). Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California |
|---|---|
| Address | 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 |
| Public phones | Allowed for the public |
| Rule for visitors | Phones and other devices may be brought in after security screening. They may be used, including online, in a non-disruptive way for anything except photography, recording or streaming. Photography and recording are banned in courtrooms and common areas. Judges may restrict or ban device use in their courtrooms. Smart glasses that can record are barred from San Francisco courtrooms (and entirely from the Oakland, San Jose and McKinleyville courthouses). |
| Jurors | Jurors may bring devices into the courthouse but must turn them off in courtrooms and whenever the judge says so. Devices may not be used during proceedings or in jury rooms during deliberations, and grand jurors may not use them during grand jury proceedings. |
| Attorneys | Same as the public: devices are allowed and may be used without disruption, subject to judges' standing orders. |
| Governing order | General Order No. 58 (amended Oct. 6, 2026) |
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)
- Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse
- James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse?
Phones and other devices may be brought in after security screening. They may be used, including online, in a non-disruptive way for anything except photography, recording or streaming. Photography and recording are banned in courtrooms and common areas. Judges may restrict or ban device use in their courtrooms. Smart glasses that can record are barred from San Francisco courtrooms (and entirely from the Oakland, San Jose and McKinleyville courthouses).
Can jurors bring phones to the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse?
Jurors may bring devices into the courthouse but must turn them off in courtrooms and whenever the judge says so. Devices may not be used during proceedings or in jury rooms during deliberations, and grand jurors may not use them during grand jury proceedings.
Can attorneys bring phones to the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse?
Same as the public: devices are allowed and may be used without disruption, subject to judges' standing orders.
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.