Miami-Dade County, FL Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) (Miami-Dade 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 (Miami-Dade County). No lockers are needed at Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security. Last checked
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil)
- Address
- 1351 NW 12th St / 73 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (305) 275-1155
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~9,596 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.jud11.flcourts.org/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- FREE / Validated for Summoned Jurors
- Designated Garage / Lot
- Gerstein Juror Lot (NW 12th St & 13th Ave) / Cultural Center Garage (50 NW 2nd Ave, Validated for 73 W Flagler Jurors)
- How to Validate
- Park in the designated Miami-Dade County Juror Garage in downtown Miami. Bring your parking ticket or license plate number inside to the Jury Assembly Room for full validation.
- Public Transit
- Served by Miami 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 (Miami-Dade County)
Authority: Florida Judicial Circuit Administrative Order on Electronic Devices (Miami-Dade County) · Verification: Official .gov Administrative Order + Sheriff Security Desk Verification
| Rule / Amenity | Miami-Dade County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Allowed (silent mode in courtrooms) | “Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) 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 | “Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) 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 (Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil)): "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 (Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil)): "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 · Gerstein Juror Lot (NW 12th St & 13th Ave) / Cultural Center Garage (50 NW 2nd Ave, Validated for 73 W Flagler Jurors) | “Jury Summons Instructions (Miami-Dade County): "Jurors receive free validated parking at Gerstein Juror Lot (NW 12th St & 13th Ave) / Cultural Center Garage (50 NW 2nd Ave, Validated for 73 W Flagler Jurors). 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 | “Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) 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 (Miami-Dade 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) | “Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) 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 Miami-Dade County
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 1351 NW 12th St / 73 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33130 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers | Validated free (Gerstein Juror Lot (NW 12th St & 13th Ave) / Cultural Center Garage (50 NW 2nd Ave, Validated for 73 W Flagler Jurors)) |
| Miami-Dade County Traffic & Misdemeanor Annex Traffic, Small Claims & Branch Court · Annex Facility, Miami, FL 33130 |
Allowed (Silent) | No lockers on site | Surface lot / metered street parking around annex |
What to Know Before You Go to Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil)
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade County, FL
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Miami-Dade 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 Miami-Dade County Courthouse in Miami, FL?
Yes. Visitors, litigants, and jurors may bring cell phones into Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) (Miami-Dade 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 (Miami-Dade County).
Does Miami-Dade County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
No lockers are needed at Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) because visitors are permitted to bring silenced cell phones inside the building past security.
Where do I park for jury duty at Miami-Dade County Courthouse and is it free?
Yes, jury duty parking is free/validated at Gerstein Juror Lot (NW 12th St & 13th Ave) / Cultural Center Garage (50 NW 2nd Ave, Validated for 73 W Flagler Jurors). Park in the designated Miami-Dade County Juror Garage in downtown Miami. 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 Miami-Dade County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Miami-Dade County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil) 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 Miami-Dade 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 (305) 275-1155 or consult a local Miami-Dade County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
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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 Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building (Criminal) & Dade County Courthouse (Civil)? Submit a verified update.