United States Courthouse, Buffalo (Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse name not confirmed) (W.D.N.Y.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Unless authorized by the order, no person may possess or use a camera or personal electronic device (PED) in the courthouses; visitors must turn devices off and surrender them to Court Security on entry. Devices are subject to inspection and confiscation. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York |
|---|---|
| Address | 2 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Public phones | Restricted |
| Rule for visitors | Unless authorized by the order, no person may possess or use a camera or personal electronic device (PED) in the courthouses; visitors must turn devices off and surrender them to Court Security on entry. Devices are subject to inspection and confiscation. |
| Lockers | No lockers mentioned; devices are surrendered to Court Security at entry. |
| Jurors | Jurors are advised not to bring laptops, devices or phones; if brought, they are checked at the door and held by Security until the juror is released for the day; not allowed in the courtroom. |
| Attorneys | Attorneys need a court-issued identification card to bring PEDs into the courthouse (issued 9 AM-4 PM daily at the Buffalo and Rochester courthouses); a PED Application Form is available. |
| Governing order | W.D.N.Y. General Order #161 (effective November 9, 2023) |
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 York county courthouses.
Other Federal Courthouses in New York
- United States Courthouse, Brooklyn (Theodore Roosevelt U.S. Courthouse name not confirmed)
- James M. Hanley Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse
- Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse
- Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse
- Hon. Charles L. Brieant Jr. Federal Building and Courthouse
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the United States Courthouse, Buffalo (Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse name not confirmed)?
Unless authorized by the order, no person may possess or use a camera or personal electronic device (PED) in the courthouses; visitors must turn devices off and surrender them to Court Security on entry. Devices are subject to inspection and confiscation.
Are there phone lockers at the United States Courthouse, Buffalo (Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse name not confirmed)?
No lockers mentioned; devices are surrendered to Court Security at entry.
Can jurors bring phones to the United States Courthouse, Buffalo (Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse name not confirmed)?
Jurors are advised not to bring laptops, devices or phones; if brought, they are checked at the door and held by Security until the juror is released for the day; not allowed in the courtroom.
Can attorneys bring phones to the United States Courthouse, Buffalo (Robert H. Jackson U.S. Courthouse name not confirmed)?
Attorneys need a court-issued identification card to bring PEDs into the courthouse (issued 9 AM-4 PM daily at the Buffalo and Rochester courthouses); a PED Application Form is available.
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.