Thad Cochran United States Courthouse (S.D. Miss.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: No devices capable of recording or transmitting photos, video or audio (phones, laptops, tablets, smart watches, smart glasses, cameras) are allowed in the courthouses, unless a presiding judge grants permission for a specific proceeding. Anyone arriving with such a device will be refused entry and told to leave it elsewhere. No recording or transmitting anywhere in the courthouse. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Address | 501 E. Court Street, Suite 2.500, Jackson, MS 39201 |
| Public phones | Banned for the general public |
| Rule for visitors | No devices capable of recording or transmitting photos, video or audio (phones, laptops, tablets, smart watches, smart glasses, cameras) are allowed in the courthouses, unless a presiding judge grants permission for a specific proceeding. Anyone arriving with such a device will be refused entry and told to leave it elsewhere. No recording or transmitting anywhere in the courthouse. |
| Lockers | None; the court states it has no secure area to store devices. |
| Attorneys | Attorneys and their support staff directly involved in litigation currently before the court may bring phones, laptops, tablets and smart watches; they may not bring devices in for others, including clients. |
| Governing order | Order Adopting Revised Policy on Possession of Electronic Devices (No. 3:40-mc-13, Doc. 44, Nov. 1, 2026); L.U.Civ.R. 83.4 |
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 Mississippi county courthouses.
Other Federal Courthouses in Mississippi
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse?
No devices capable of recording or transmitting photos, video or audio (phones, laptops, tablets, smart watches, smart glasses, cameras) are allowed in the courthouses, unless a presiding judge grants permission for a specific proceeding. Anyone arriving with such a device will be refused entry and told to leave it elsewhere. No recording or transmitting anywhere in the courthouse.
Are there phone lockers at the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse?
None; the court states it has no secure area to store devices.
Can attorneys bring phones to the Thad Cochran United States Courthouse?
Attorneys and their support staff directly involved in litigation currently before the court may bring phones, laptops, tablets and smart watches; they may not bring devices in for others, including clients.
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.