Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (D.N.J.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Electronic devices are permitted after screening; cameras and recording devices are prohibited. Unless authorized by the presiding judge, devices must be rendered inoperable (off) before entering any courtroom or chambers; individual judges may require phones to be silenced and bar any recording or transmitting. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 Walnut Street, Newark, NJ 07101 |
| Public phones | Allowed for the public |
| Rule for visitors | Electronic devices are permitted after screening; cameras and recording devices are prohibited. Unless authorized by the presiding judge, devices must be rendered inoperable (off) before entering any courtroom or chambers; individual judges may require phones to be silenced and bar any recording or transmitting. |
| Jurors | Cell phones, pagers and laptops are permitted; cameras and recording devices are prohibited. |
| Governing order | Standing Order 05-03 (Electronic Device Policy) |
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 New Jersey county courthouses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse?
Electronic devices are permitted after screening; cameras and recording devices are prohibited. Unless authorized by the presiding judge, devices must be rendered inoperable (off) before entering any courtroom or chambers; individual judges may require phones to be silenced and bar any recording or transmitting.
Can jurors bring phones to the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse?
Cell phones, pagers and laptops are permitted; cameras and recording devices are prohibited.
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.