Philadelphia County, PA Courthouse Cell Phone Policy, Lockers & Jury Duty Parking (2026)
Short answer: No for the general public. Under First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Joint General Court Regulation & Pa.R.Crim.P. 112, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall. However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt. Yes. Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall provides phone lockers (free of charge): Stout Criminal Justice Center (1301 Filbert St) enforces strict phone check-in / locking Yondr pouches at Sheriff checkpoint; City Hall Civil allows silenced phones in corridors. Arrive early as lockers fill up during the 8:30 AM morning rush. Last checked
🏛️ Main Courthouse Facility
- Building
- Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall
- Address
- 1301 Filbert St / 1400 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Hours
- 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Mon–Fri)
- Clerk / Security Phone
- (215) 683-7000
- Est. Foot Traffic
- ~5,538 visitors/day
- Official Court Site
- https://www.courts.phila.gov/ ↗
🅿️ Validated Jury Duty Parking & Transit
- Juror Parking Status
- Paid Parking (~$22/day)
- Designated Garage / Lot
- Parkway / PPA Garages near 13th & Filbert ($18–$28/day with juror discount voucher; SEPTA Jefferson Station is directly across the street)
- How to Validate
- Park in municipal garages near the Philadelphia courthouse (Parkway / PPA Garages near 13th & Filbert ($18–$28/day with juror discount voucher; SEPTA Jefferson Station is directly across the street), $22/day). Retain your receipt or request transit reimbursement from the Jury Commissioner.
- Public Transit
- Served by Philadelphia 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 (Philadelphia County)
Authority: First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Joint General Court Regulation & Pa.R.Crim.P. 112 · Verification: Official .gov Administrative Order + Sheriff Security Desk Verification
| Rule / Amenity | Philadelphia County Policy | Official Directive & Verification Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cell phone policy | Banned for public · Jurors & attorneys exempt | “First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Security Order (Stout Center for Criminal Justice, 1301 Filbert St): "To prevent witness intimidation and unauthorized recording under Pa.R.Crim.P. 112, general visitors at the Criminal Justice Center must secure or check cell phones at the security checkpoint. Jurors in Room 195 City Hall / Room 105 Stout Center may use devices in the Jury Assembly Room."” |
| Cell phones banned | Phones banned · Lockers at door (Free) | “First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Security Order (Stout Center for Criminal Justice, 1301 Filbert St): "To prevent witness intimidation and unauthorized recording under Pa.R.Crim.P. 112, general visitors at the Criminal Justice Center must secure or check cell phones at the security checkpoint. Jurors in Room 195 City Hall / Room 105 Stout Center may use devices in the Jury Assembly Room."” |
| Phone lockers at entrance | Lockers available (Free) | “Security Checkpoint Notice (Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall): "Small personal electronics lockers are available in the main lobby (free of charge); capacity is limited and Court Security assumes no liability."” |
| Uber & bus rider safe (no car) | Safe for Uber/bus (lobby lockers: Free) | “Security Checkpoint Notice (Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall): "Small personal electronics lockers are available in the main lobby (free of charge); capacity is limited and Court Security assumes no liability."” |
| Jury duty parking & validation | Paid parking ($22/day) · Parkway / PPA Garages near 13th & Filbert ($18–$28/day with juror discount voucher; SEPTA Jefferson Station is directly across the street) | “Juror Information (Philadelphia County): "Parking adjacent to the courthouse in Philadelphia costs approximately $22.00 per day. Jurors receive statutory mileage/parking stipends added to their juror check."” |
| Juror phone & laptop rules | Jurors allowed phones & laptops in Jury Lounge | “First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Security Order (Stout Center for Criminal Justice, 1301 Filbert St): "To prevent witness intimidation and unauthorized recording under Pa.R.Crim.P. 112, general visitors at the Criminal Justice Center must secure or check cell phones at the security checkpoint. Jurors in Room 195 City Hall / Room 105 Stout Center may use devices in the Jury Assembly Room."” |
| 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 (Philadelphia 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 BANNED at checkpoint | “First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Security Order (Stout Center for Criminal Justice, 1301 Filbert St): "To prevent witness intimidation and unauthorized recording under Pa.R.Crim.P. 112, general visitors at the Criminal Justice Center must secure or check cell phones at the security checkpoint. Jurors in Room 195 City Hall / Room 105 Stout Center may use devices in the Jury Assembly Room."” |
Courthouse Buildings & Branch Annexes in Philadelphia County
| Courthouse / Branch Building | Cell Phone Policy | Phone Lockers | Juror & Visitor Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall Main Trial & Jury Courthouse · 1301 Filbert St / 1400 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
Banned for Public | Free lockers at security | $22/day (Parkway / PPA Garages near 13th & Filbert ($18–$28/day with juror discount voucher; SEPTA Jefferson Station is directly across the street)) |
| Philadelphia County Traffic & Misdemeanor Annex Traffic, Small Claims & Branch Court · Annex Facility, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
Banned for Public | Limited vestibule lockers | Surface lot / metered street parking around annex |
What to Know Before You Go to Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall
📱 If You Have Jury Duty
Summoned jurors in Philadelphia 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
Litigants, defendants, and spectators are prohibited from bringing cell phones inside. Use the lobby lockers (free) before the metal detector. If you need text messages, photos, or insurance PDFs as courtroom evidence, print physical copies before arriving.
👔 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 Philadelphia County, PA
If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in Philadelphia County, PA, 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 Philadelphia County Courthouse in Philadelphia, PA?
No for the general public. Under First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Joint General Court Regulation & Pa.R.Crim.P. 112, general visitors and traffic/criminal defendants are PROHIBITED from bringing cell phones into Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall. However, summoned jurors presenting an official Jury Summons and licensed attorneys are exempt.
Does Philadelphia County Courthouse have cell phone lockers at the entrance?
Yes. Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall provides phone lockers (free of charge): Stout Criminal Justice Center (1301 Filbert St) enforces strict phone check-in / locking Yondr pouches at Sheriff checkpoint; City Hall Civil allows silenced phones in corridors. Arrive early as lockers fill up during the 8:30 AM morning rush.
Where do I park for jury duty at Philadelphia County Courthouse and is it free?
Free parking is not available directly at the courthouse (Parkway / PPA Garages near 13th & Filbert ($18–$28/day with juror discount voucher; SEPTA Jefferson Station is directly across the street) costs ~$22/day). Park in municipal garages near the Philadelphia courthouse (Parkway / PPA Garages near 13th & Filbert ($18–$28/day with juror discount voucher; SEPTA Jefferson Station is directly across the street), $22/day). Retain your receipt or request transit reimbursement from the Jury Commissioner.
Can summoned jurors bring a laptop or phone to Philadelphia County Jury Duty?
Yes. Summoned jurors with their Jury Summons may bring a cell phone and laptop/tablet into the Philadelphia County Jury Assembly Room. All devices must be turned off when entering a courtroom.
How long is the security line at Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall 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 Philadelphia 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 (215) 683-7000 or consult a local Philadelphia County traffic/defense attorney immediately.
Other County Courthouses in Pennsylvania
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- Lehigh County (Allentown)
- Luzerne County (Wilkes-Barre)
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- Westmoreland County (Greensburg)
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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 Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall? Submit a verified update.