William A. Bootle Federal Building and United States Courthouse (M.D. Ga.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Members of the public may not bring mobile phones, tablets, cameras, laptops, smart glasses or any recording/transmitting device into the courthouse; leave them at home or in your vehicle. Violators' devices may be confiscated and returned on exit. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia |
|---|---|
| Address | 475 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA |
| Public phones | Banned for the general public |
| Rule for visitors | Members of the public may not bring mobile phones, tablets, cameras, laptops, smart glasses or any recording/transmitting device into the courthouse; leave them at home or in your vehicle. Violators' devices may be confiscated and returned on exit. |
| Lockers | No lockers mentioned; policy directs people to leave devices at home or in their vehicles. Confiscated devices are returned on exiting. |
| Jurors | Jurors, grand jurors and witnesses may not bring any electronic devices and must leave them at home or in their vehicles. |
| Attorneys | Attorneys and their staff may bring devices, subject to security screening; laptops and mobile devices may be used in proceedings if silenced. |
| Governing order | Electronic Device Policy (effective Nov. 21, 2025) |
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 Georgia county courthouses.
Other Federal Courthouses in Georgia
- Richard B. Russell Federal Building and United States Courthouse
- U.S. District Court, Savannah Division
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the William A. Bootle Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
Members of the public may not bring mobile phones, tablets, cameras, laptops, smart glasses or any recording/transmitting device into the courthouse; leave them at home or in your vehicle. Violators' devices may be confiscated and returned on exit.
Are there phone lockers at the William A. Bootle Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
No lockers mentioned; policy directs people to leave devices at home or in their vehicles. Confiscated devices are returned on exiting.
Can jurors bring phones to the William A. Bootle Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
Jurors, grand jurors and witnesses may not bring any electronic devices and must leave them at home or in their vehicles.
Can attorneys bring phones to the William A. Bootle Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
Attorneys and their staff may bring devices, subject to security screening; laptops and mobile devices may be used in proceedings if silenced.
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.