William J. Nealon Federal Building and United States Courthouse (M.D. Pa.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Phones, smart watches, cameras and similar devices are inspected at entry, turned off in front of Court Security Officers, and placed in a locked pouch from the U.S. Marshal. Visitors keep the pouch and return it when they leave. Laptops and tablets are covered by the order. No photography, broadcasting or recording. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Public phones | Restricted |
| Rule for visitors | Phones, smart watches, cameras and similar devices are inspected at entry, turned off in front of Court Security Officers, and placed in a locked pouch from the U.S. Marshal. Visitors keep the pouch and return it when they leave. Laptops and tablets are covered by the order. No photography, broadcasting or recording. |
| 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. |
| Governing order | Standing Order No. 2023-20 (effective Dec. 1, 2023); Local Civil Rule 83.1.1; 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 William J. Nealon Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
Phones, smart watches, cameras and similar devices are inspected at entry, turned off in front of Court Security Officers, and placed in a locked pouch from the U.S. Marshal. Visitors keep the pouch and return it when they leave. Laptops and tablets are covered by the order. No photography, broadcasting or recording.
Are there phone lockers at the William J. Nealon Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
No lockers; locked-pouch system. Damaging or stealing a pouch can bring criminal penalties.
Can jurors bring phones to the William J. Nealon Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
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 William J. Nealon Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
Exempt with a valid bar ID card or DOJ / Federal Public Defender credentials.
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.