Michigan Courthouse Smartwatch & Apple Watch Rules (2026)
Short answer: Yes, all 14 tracked courthouses in Michigan allow smartwatches provided they are silenced inside courtrooms. Updated 2026-11-04
14 of 14 courthouses in Michigan allow smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Fitbit) on silent mode, while 0 classify smartwatches as prohibited recording devices and ban them at the metal detector. Following the Michigan Supreme Court amendment to MCR 8.115 (effective May 2020), all Michigan county courthouses must allow the public and jurors to bring portable electronic devices into the courthouse, prohibiting only unauthorized photography/recording.
| County Courthouse | City | Smartwatches & Apple Watch | Phone Lockers | Juror Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County Wayne County Courthouse (Detroit) “Wayne County Courthouse (Detroit) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Detroit | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Oakland County Oakland County Courthouse (Pontiac) “Oakland County Courthouse (Pontiac) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Pontiac | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Macomb County Macomb County Courthouse (Mount Clemens) “Macomb County Courthouse (Mount Clemens) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Mount Clemens | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Kent County Kent County Courthouse (Grand Rapids) “Kent County Courthouse (Grand Rapids) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Grand Rapids | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Genesee County Genesee County Courthouse (Flint) “Genesee County Courthouse (Flint) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Flint | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Washtenaw County Washtenaw County Courthouse (Ann Arbor) “Washtenaw County Courthouse (Ann Arbor) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Ann Arbor | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Ottawa County Ottawa County Courthouse (Grand Haven) “Ottawa County Courthouse (Grand Haven) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Grand Haven | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Ingham County Ingham County Courthouse (Mason) “Ingham County Courthouse (Mason) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Mason | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Kalamazoo County Kalamazoo County Courthouse (Kalamazoo) “Kalamazoo County Courthouse (Kalamazoo) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Kalamazoo | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Saginaw County Saginaw County Courthouse (Saginaw) “Saginaw County Courthouse (Saginaw) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Saginaw | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Muskegon County Muskegon County Courthouse (Muskegon) “Muskegon County Courthouse (Muskegon) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Muskegon | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Jackson County Jackson County Courthouse (Jackson) “Jackson County Courthouse (Jackson) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Jackson | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| St. Clair County St. Clair County Courthouse (Port Huron) “St. Clair County Courthouse (Port Huron) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
Port Huron | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
| Berrien County Berrien County Courthouse (St. Joseph) “Berrien County Courthouse (St. Joseph) MCR 8.115 Notice: "Under Michigan Supreme Court Rule 8.115, visitors and jurors are permitted to bring portable electronic devices (cell phones) into the courthouse. Devices must be silenced in courtrooms; photography and recording are prohibited."” |
St. Joseph | Smartwatches allowed (silent) | No lockers | Free Validated |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear my Apple Watch to court in Michigan?
Yes, all 14 tracked courthouses in Michigan allow smartwatches provided they are silenced inside courtrooms.
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.
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