U.S. Courthouse, Pittsburgh (W.D. Pa.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Cell phones and laptops may be brought into the courthouse with restrictions and must pass security screening. Phones must be off in courtrooms. Photography and video or voice recording are prohibited throughout the courthouse. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Address | Corner of Seventh Avenue and Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Public phones | Allowed for the public |
| Rule for visitors | Cell phones and laptops may be brought into the courthouse with restrictions and must pass security screening. Phones must be off in courtrooms. Photography and video or voice recording are prohibited throughout the courthouse. |
| Lockers | No lockers mentioned. The juror guide says security may hold camera-equipped phones until you leave, at their discretion. |
| Jurors | Phones are allowed in the building but must be turned off; using any device in the courtroom is prohibited, and devices can be confiscated. |
| Attorneys | A media decorum order lets credentialed attorneys have devices in the courthouse; in trial courtrooms, devices may be used only for trial purposes. |
| Governing order | Standing Order 2:03-mc-451 (Feb. 14, 2013), 'Electronic devices brought into the courthouse' |
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
- U.S. Courthouse, Philadelphia (headquarters)
- William J. Nealon Federal Building and United States Courthouse
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the U.S. Courthouse, Pittsburgh?
Cell phones and laptops may be brought into the courthouse with restrictions and must pass security screening. Phones must be off in courtrooms. Photography and video or voice recording are prohibited throughout the courthouse.
Are there phone lockers at the U.S. Courthouse, Pittsburgh?
No lockers mentioned. The juror guide says security may hold camera-equipped phones until you leave, at their discretion.
Can jurors bring phones to the U.S. Courthouse, Pittsburgh?
Phones are allowed in the building but must be turned off; using any device in the courtroom is prohibited, and devices can be confiscated.
Can attorneys bring phones to the U.S. Courthouse, Pittsburgh?
A media decorum order lets credentialed attorneys have devices in the courthouse; in trial courtrooms, devices may be used only for trial purposes.
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.