San Antonio United States Courthouse (W.D. Tex.): Cell Phone Policy (2026)
Short answer: Individuals may bring cell phones into the San Antonio courthouse but may be asked to show security that the phone works. Phones must be turned off in every courtroom and may be used in the atrium if reasonable and not disruptive. No photographing, recording, broadcasting or televising inside the courthouse without court authorization; violators may be removed and their device forfeited to the Marshals. Checked
| Court | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas |
|---|---|
| Address | 262 West Nueva Street, San Antonio, TX 78207 (U.S. District Clerk's Office, Room 1-400) |
| Public phones | Allowed for the public |
| Rule for visitors | Individuals may bring cell phones into the San Antonio courthouse but may be asked to show security that the phone works. Phones must be turned off in every courtroom and may be used in the atrium if reasonable and not disruptive. No photographing, recording, broadcasting or televising inside the courthouse without court authorization; violators may be removed and their device forfeited to the Marshals. |
| Governing order | W.D. Tex. San Antonio Division Order Regarding Cell Phones and Electronic Devices (filed June 15, 2022) |
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
- William M. Steger Federal Building and United States Courthouse
- U.S. Courthouse, Dallas (headquarters)
- Bob Casey United States Courthouse
- Reynaldo G. Garza-Filemon B. Vela United States Courthouse
- United States Courthouse, Corpus Christi
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my phone into the San Antonio United States Courthouse?
Individuals may bring cell phones into the San Antonio courthouse but may be asked to show security that the phone works. Phones must be turned off in every courtroom and may be used in the atrium if reasonable and not disruptive. No photographing, recording, broadcasting or televising inside the courthouse without court authorization; violators may be removed and their device forfeited to the Marshals.
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.