William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse (E.D. Tex.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: No cell phones, cameras, laptops or gaming devices are allowed in the courthouse. Photo ID is required to enter. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas |
|---|---|
| Address | 211 West Ferguson Street, Tyler, TX 75702 |
| Public phones | Banned for the general public |
| Rule for visitors | No cell phones, cameras, laptops or gaming devices are allowed in the courthouse. Photo ID is required to enter. |
| Lockers | No storage service described; visitors are told to lock electronic devices in their vehicle. |
| Jurors | Jurors' cell phones and pagers will not be allowed in the courthouse; lock them in your vehicle. Family can reach a juror in an emergency through a jury administrator or the clerk's office. |
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 Texas county courthouses.
Other Federal Courthouses in Texas
- U.S. Courthouse, Dallas (headquarters)
- Bob Casey United States Courthouse
- Reynaldo G. Garza-Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse
- United States Courthouse, Corpus Christi
- San Antonio United States Courthouse
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
No cell phones, cameras, laptops or gaming devices are allowed in the courthouse. Photo ID is required to enter.
Are there phone lockers at the William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
No storage service described; visitors are told to lock electronic devices in their vehicle.
Can jurors bring phones to the William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse?
Jurors' cell phones and pagers will not be allowed in the courthouse; lock them in your vehicle. Family can reach a juror in an emergency through a jury administrator or the clerk's office.
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.