Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse (D. Minn.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Visitors may bring phones, but on entry devices are inspected, turned off in front of Court Security Officers and sealed in a locked pouch provided by the U.S. Marshal, which you keep with you and may not open or tamper with; CSOs unlock it when you leave. No use in violation of Fed. R. Crim. P. 53 or any judge/Marshal/CSO directive. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 South Fourth Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415 |
| Public phones | Restricted |
| Rule for visitors | Visitors may bring phones, but on entry devices are inspected, turned off in front of Court Security Officers and sealed in a locked pouch provided by the U.S. Marshal, which you keep with you and may not open or tamper with; CSOs unlock it when you leave. No use in violation of Fed. R. Crim. P. 53 or any judge/Marshal/CSO directive. |
| Lockers | No lockers; devices are sealed in locked pouches that visitors keep, unlocked at weapons screening on exit. |
| Jurors | Summoned and seated petit and grand jurors are exempt from pouches (subject to judge restrictions); phones and laptops allowed in the Jury Assembly Room but may not be used in the courtroom. |
| Attorneys | Exempt from pouches with a valid bar identification card or DOJ / Federal Public Defender credentials. |
| Governing order | Policy on Use of Electronic Devices in U.S. Courthouses in the District of Minnesota (court order, effective January 9, 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 Minnesota county courthouses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse?
Visitors may bring phones, but on entry devices are inspected, turned off in front of Court Security Officers and sealed in a locked pouch provided by the U.S. Marshal, which you keep with you and may not open or tamper with; CSOs unlock it when you leave. No use in violation of Fed. R. Crim. P. 53 or any judge/Marshal/CSO directive.
Are there phone lockers at the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse?
No lockers; devices are sealed in locked pouches that visitors keep, unlocked at weapons screening on exit.
Can jurors bring phones to the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse?
Summoned and seated petit and grand jurors are exempt from pouches (subject to judge restrictions); phones and laptops allowed in the Jury Assembly Room but may not be used in the courtroom.
Can attorneys bring phones to the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse?
Exempt from pouches with a valid bar identification card or DOJ / Federal Public Defender credentials.
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.