Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse (S.D. Ohio): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Visitors must turn off phones and smart watches and lock them in a court-provided pouch for the whole visit; the pouch is unlocked on exit. Laptops and tablets are not permitted. Valid government photo ID is required. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio |
|---|---|
| Public phones | Restricted |
| Rule for visitors | Visitors must turn off phones and smart watches and lock them in a court-provided pouch for the whole visit; the pouch is unlocked on exit. Laptops and tablets are not permitted. Valid government photo ID is required. |
| Lockers | No lockers mentioned; locked pouches are used instead. Visitors with devices too large for a pouch (e.g. laptops) are told to leave and store them before returning. |
| Jurors | Jurors are exempt from the pouch requirement. |
| Attorneys | Attorneys are exempt from the pouch requirement. |
| Governing order | S.D. Ohio Local Civil and Criminal Rule 83.2 (as amended 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 Ohio county courthouses.
Other Federal Courthouses in Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse?
Visitors must turn off phones and smart watches and lock them in a court-provided pouch for the whole visit; the pouch is unlocked on exit. Laptops and tablets are not permitted. Valid government photo ID is required.
Are there phone lockers at the Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse?
No lockers mentioned; locked pouches are used instead. Visitors with devices too large for a pouch (e.g. laptops) are told to leave and store them before returning.
Can jurors bring phones to the Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse?
Jurors are exempt from the pouch requirement.
Can attorneys bring phones to the Joseph P. Kinneary U.S. Courthouse?
Attorneys are exempt from the pouch requirement.
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.