Alabama Courthouse Smartwatch & Apple Watch Rules (2026)

Short answer: 7 courthouses in Alabama ban smartwatches alongside cell phones because they can record audio/photos. Leave your Apple Watch in your car if visiting a phone-ban courthouse. Updated 2026-11-04

0 of 7 courthouses in Alabama allow smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Fitbit) on silent mode, while 7 classify smartwatches as prohibited recording devices and ban them at the metal detector. Most Alabama county circuit courthouses prohibit public cell phones unless authorized by the presiding judge; summoned jurors are generally permitted phones inside the jury assembly room.

County Courthouse	City	Smartwatches & Apple Watch	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Jefferson County Jefferson County Courthouse (Birmingham) “Jefferson County Courthouse (Birmingham) Security Order: "Cellular telephones, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for general visitors. Summoned jurors with a valid badge and licensed attorneys are exempt."”	Birmingham	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Madison County Madison County Courthouse (Huntsville) “Madison County Courthouse (Huntsville) Security Order: "Cellular telephones, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for general visitors. Summoned jurors with a valid badge and licensed attorneys are exempt."”	Huntsville	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Mobile County Mobile County Courthouse (Mobile) “Mobile County Courthouse (Mobile) Security Order: "Cellular telephones, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for general visitors. Summoned jurors with a valid badge and licensed attorneys are exempt."”	Mobile	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Baldwin County Baldwin County Courthouse (Bay Minette) “Baldwin County Courthouse (Bay Minette) Security Order: "Cellular telephones, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for general visitors. Summoned jurors with a valid badge and licensed attorneys are exempt."”	Bay Minette	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Tuscaloosa County Tuscaloosa County Courthouse (Tuscaloosa) “Tuscaloosa County Courthouse (Tuscaloosa) Security Order: "Cellular telephones, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for general visitors. Summoned jurors with a valid badge and licensed attorneys are exempt."”	Tuscaloosa	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Shelby County Shelby County Courthouse (Columbiana) “Shelby County Courthouse (Columbiana) Security Order: "Cellular telephones, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for general visitors. Summoned jurors with a valid badge and licensed attorneys are exempt."”	Columbiana	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Montgomery County Montgomery County Courthouse (Montgomery) “Montgomery County Courthouse (Montgomery) Security Order: "Cellular telephones, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for general visitors. Summoned jurors with a valid badge and licensed attorneys are exempt."”	Montgomery	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear my Apple Watch to court in Alabama?

7 courthouses in Alabama ban smartwatches alongside cell phones because they can record audio/photos. Leave your Apple Watch in your car if visiting a phone-ban courthouse.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.