Hillsborough County, FL Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) (Hillsborough County, FL). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Florida Judicial Circuit Administrative Order on Electronic Devices (Hillsborough County). No lockers are needed at Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security. Last checked
How sure is this? This page applies the statewide Florida court rule to Hillsborough County. We have not yet confirmed it building by building, and local judges or the Sheriff can set stricter rules. Before you go, call (813) 276-8100 or check the official court site. Know the current rule? Tell us.
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa)
- Address
- 800 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (813) 276-8100
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~5,484 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.flcourts.gov/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- Hillsborough County Juror Parking Facility (Tampa Judicial Garage)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated Hillsborough County Juror Garage in downtown Tampa. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by Tampa local bus and regional transit stops within 2 blocks of the main courthouse entrance. Warning: If arriving by Uber, Lyft, or bus at a phone-ban facility without lockers, do not bring prohibited electronics.
Security Rules, Lockers & Decorum (Hillsborough County)
Authority: Florida Judicial Circuit Administrative Order on Electronic Devices (Hillsborough County) · Verification: Statewide court rule baseline (Florida); building-level check pending
| Rule / Amenity | Hillsborough County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Allowed (silent mode in courtrooms) | “Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) Administrative Order: "Cell phones, tablets, and laptops are permitted inside the courthouse. All devices must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom."” |
| Cell phones banned | Phones allowed on silent | “Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) Administrative Order: "Cell phones, tablets, and laptops are permitted inside the courthouse. All devices must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom."” |
| Phone lockers at entrance | No lockers needed (phones allowed inside) | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | Safe for Uber/bus (phones allowed inside) | “Bailiff / Sheriff Security Directive (Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa)): "Court security officers will not hold, store, or safeguard cell phones or electronic devices at the entrance checkpoint. Visitors arriving via rideshare must make off-site arrangements."” |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Free validated parking · Hillsborough County Juror Parking Facility (Tampa Judicial Garage) | “Jury Summons Instructions (Hillsborough County): "Jurors receive free validated parking at Hillsborough County Juror Parking Facility (Tampa Judicial Garage). Bring your parking stub inside to the Jury Assembly Room for validation—do not park at 2-hour street meters."” |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | “Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) Administrative Order: "Cell phones, tablets, and laptops are permitted inside the courthouse. All devices must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom."” |
| Security line wait times | ~25 mins peak (arrive 35 mins early) | “Peak screening window is 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM during Monday/Tuesday jury call (25 min typical queue at magnetometers; belts, metal, and bags x-rayed).” |
| Courtroom dress code | Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats | “Courtroom Decorum Order (Hillsborough County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."” |
| Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | “Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) Administrative Order: "Cell phones, tablets, and laptops are permitted inside the courthouse. All devices must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom."” |
Courthouse Buildings & Branch Annexes in Hillsborough County
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 800 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers | Validated free (Hillsborough County Juror Parking Facility (Tampa Judicial Garage)) |
| Hillsborough County Traffic & Misdemeanor Annex Traffic, Small Claims & Branch Court · Annex Facility, Tampa, FL 33602 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers on site | Surface lot / metered street parking around annex |
What to Know Before You Go to Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Hillsborough County are permitted to bring cell phones and laptops through the security checkpoint into the Jury Assembly Room. Show your printed Jury Summons to the Sheriff deputy at the magnetometer.
🚗 If You Have Traffic, Family, or Criminal Court
You may bring your cell phone inside on silent mode. Do not take your phone out inside a courtroom unless the judge explicitly asks you to display digital proof of insurance or exhibits.
👔 Dress Code & Security Line
Peak morning screening (8:00 AM – 9:15 AM) takes ~25 minutes. Arrive at least 35 minutes early. Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Remove belts, coins, and keychains before the magnetometer.
Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in Hillsborough County, FL
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Hillsborough County, FL, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my cell phone to Hillsborough County Courthouse in Tampa, FL?
Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) (Hillsborough County, FL). Phones must be switched to silent or vibrate before entering any courtroom, and taking photos or recordings anywhere inside the building is strictly prohibited under Florida Judicial Circuit Administrative Order on Electronic Devices (Hillsborough County).
Does Hillsborough County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
No lockers are needed at Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security.
Where do I park for jury duty at Hillsborough County Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at Hillsborough County Juror Parking Facility (Tampa Judicial Garage). Park in the designated Hillsborough County Juror Garage in downtown Tampa. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to Hillsborough County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Hillsborough County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa) and what is the dress code?
Expect a 25-minute wait at the Sheriff magnetometers between 8:00 AM and 9:15 AM (arrive at least 35 minutes before your court call). Dress code: Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms.
What happens if I am turned away at security and miss my Hillsborough County court call?
If a bailiff denies you entry because you brought a prohibited phone without a car or wore prohibited attire, missing your docket call in traffic or criminal court can result in a default conviction or a Failure to Appear (FTA) Bench Warrant. Contact the Clerk at (813) 276-8100 or consult a local Hillsborough County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Before You Go
- What to bring to jury duty
- What to bring to traffic court
- Prohibited items at security
- Postpone jury duty / check reporting status
- Jury duty scam calls
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Last checked 2026-11-04. Administrative orders and security protocols can change by order of the Chief Judge or County Sheriff. Spot an update at Hillsborough County Courthouse (Tampa)? Submit a verified update.