U.S. Courthouse, Philadelphia (headquarters) (E.D. Pa.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Phones, cameras and similar devices are inspected at entry, turned off in front of court security officers, and sealed in a locked pouch from the U.S. Marshal. Visitors keep the pouch with them, must not open or tamper with it, and return it when they leave. No courtroom photography or broadcasting. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Public phones | Restricted |
| Rule for visitors | Phones, cameras and similar devices are inspected at entry, turned off in front of court security officers, and sealed in a locked pouch from the U.S. Marshal. Visitors keep the pouch with them, must not open or tamper with it, and return it when they leave. No courtroom photography or broadcasting. |
| Lockers | No lockers; locked-pouch system. Damaging or stealing a pouch can bring criminal penalties. |
| Jurors | Summoned and seated petit or grand jurors are exempt from the pouch, subject to any limits set by the presiding judge. |
| Attorneys | Exempt with a valid bar ID card or DOJ / Federal Public Defender credentials; may not let others use their devices. |
| Governing order | E.D. Pa. Standing Order on Cameras and Personal Electronic Devices (effective June 3, 2019); Local Civil Rule 83.3; Fed. R. Crim. P. 53 |
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 Pennsylvania county courthouses.
Other Federal Courthouses in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the U.S. Courthouse, Philadelphia (headquarters)?
Phones, cameras and similar devices are inspected at entry, turned off in front of court security officers, and sealed in a locked pouch from the U.S. Marshal. Visitors keep the pouch with them, must not open or tamper with it, and return it when they leave. No courtroom photography or broadcasting.
Are there phone lockers at the U.S. Courthouse, Philadelphia (headquarters)?
No lockers; locked-pouch system. Damaging or stealing a pouch can bring criminal penalties.
Can jurors bring phones to the U.S. Courthouse, Philadelphia (headquarters)?
Summoned and seated petit or grand jurors are exempt from the pouch, subject to any limits set by the presiding judge.
Can attorneys bring phones to the U.S. Courthouse, Philadelphia (headquarters)?
Exempt with a valid bar ID card or DOJ / Federal Public Defender credentials; may not let others use their devices.
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.