Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse (E.D. Mich.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Electronic devices are not permitted in federal court facilities except for listed groups (attorneys as officers of the court, building tenants, Marshals/law enforcement, credentialed press, pro se litigants by judicial order, naturalization attendees for still photos). Spectators may not use devices in the courtroom; photographing, recording and streaming are prohibited. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan |
|---|---|
| Address | 231 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226 |
| Public phones | Banned for the general public |
| Rule for visitors | Electronic devices are not permitted in federal court facilities except for listed groups (attorneys as officers of the court, building tenants, Marshals/law enforcement, credentialed press, pro se litigants by judicial order, naturalization attendees for still photos). Spectators may not use devices in the courtroom; photographing, recording and streaming are prohibited. |
| Jurors | Jurors may carry a personal device but may not use it without permission of a judicial officer and may not access the internet in the facility; search excerpt indicates laptops/tablets are prohibited for jurors. |
| Attorneys | Attorneys appearing in their official capacity as officers of the court are exempt (no specific credential stated; officers may demand ID). Devices must be off in courtroom; laptops/tablets may be used by counsel for the proceeding if muted. Judges may require attorneys to store phones in chambers. Non-tenants may use phones only in designated areas set by administrative order for each facility. |
| Governing order | E.D. Mich. LR 83.32 (amended effective April 1, 2024) |
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 Michigan county courthouses.
Other Federal Courthouses in Michigan
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse?
Electronic devices are not permitted in federal court facilities except for listed groups (attorneys as officers of the court, building tenants, Marshals/law enforcement, credentialed press, pro se litigants by judicial order, naturalization attendees for still photos). Spectators may not use devices in the courtroom; photographing, recording and streaming are prohibited.
Can jurors bring phones to the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse?
Jurors may carry a personal device but may not use it without permission of a judicial officer and may not access the internet in the facility; search excerpt indicates laptops/tablets are prohibited for jurors.
Can attorneys bring phones to the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse?
Attorneys appearing in their official capacity as officers of the court are exempt (no specific credential stated; officers may demand ID). Devices must be off in courtroom; laptops/tablets may be used by counsel for the proceeding if muted. Judges may require attorneys to store phones in chambers. Non-tenants may use phones only in designated areas set by administrative order for each facility.
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.