Pennsylvania Courthouse Smartwatch & Apple Watch Rules (2026)

Short answer: 16 courthouses in Pennsylvania 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 16 courthouses in Pennsylvania allow smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Fitbit) on silent mode, while 16 classify smartwatches as prohibited recording devices and ban them at the metal detector. Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas vary sharply by county: Philadelphia Stout Center and Dauphin/Lancaster/York enforce strict phone bans or mandatory Yondr pouches / lobby check-in for general visitors, while Allegheny (Pittsburgh) and Montgomery County allow silenced phones.

County CourthouseCitySmartwatches & Apple WatchPhone LockersJuror Parking
Philadelphia County
Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice & Philadelphia City Hall
“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."”
Philadelphia Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) $22/day
Allegheny County
Allegheny County Courthouse (Pittsburgh)
“Allegheny County Courthouse (Pittsburgh) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Pittsburgh Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Montgomery County
Montgomery County Courthouse (Norristown)
“Montgomery County Courthouse (Norristown) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Norristown Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Bucks County
Bucks County Courthouse (Doylestown)
“Bucks County Courthouse (Doylestown) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Doylestown Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Delaware County
Delaware County Courthouse (Media)
“Delaware County Courthouse (Media) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Media Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Lancaster County
Lancaster County Courthouse (Lancaster)
“Lancaster County Courthouse (Lancaster) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Lancaster Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Chester County
Chester County Courthouse (West Chester)
“Chester County Courthouse (West Chester) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
West Chester Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
York County
York County Courthouse (York)
“York County Courthouse (York) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
York Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Berks County
Berks County Courthouse (Reading)
“Berks County Courthouse (Reading) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Reading Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Lehigh County
Lehigh County Courthouse (Allentown)
“Lehigh County Courthouse (Allentown) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Allentown Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County Courthouse (Greensburg)
“Westmoreland County Courthouse (Greensburg) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Greensburg Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Luzerne County
Luzerne County Courthouse (Wilkes-Barre)
“Luzerne County Courthouse (Wilkes-Barre) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Wilkes-Barre Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Northampton County
Northampton County Courthouse (Easton)
“Northampton County Courthouse (Easton) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Easton Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Dauphin County
Dauphin County Courthouse (Harrisburg)
“Dauphin County Courthouse (Harrisburg) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Harrisburg Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse (Carlisle)
“Cumberland County Courthouse (Carlisle) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Carlisle Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
Erie County
Erie County Courthouse (Erie)
“Erie County Courthouse (Erie) President Judge Security Order: "Cell phones and recording devices are restricted or must be secured at the Sheriff checkpoint/pouch station prior to entering courtroom floors. Summoned jurors may use devices in the Jury Lounge."”
Erie Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint Yes (Free) Free Validated
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear my Apple Watch to court in Pennsylvania?

16 courthouses in Pennsylvania 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.

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