Virginia Courthouse Smartwatch & Apple Watch Rules (2026)

Short answer: 10 courthouses in Virginia 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

2 of 12 courthouses in Virginia allow smartwatches (Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Fitbit) on silent mode, while 10 classify smartwatches as prohibited recording devices and ban them at the metal detector. Virginia has the highest concentration of county courthouse cell phone bans on the East Coast. Under Va. Code § 19.2-389 / local Circuit Court orders, counties like Prince William, Chesterfield, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Chesapeake ban general public phones; some provide free lobby lockers while others force visitors back to their cars.

County Courthouse	City	Smartwatches & Apple Watch	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Fairfax County Fairfax County Courthouse (Jennings Judicial Center) “Fairfax County Courthouse Policy: "Cell phones, laptops, and smartwatches are permitted inside the Fairfax County Courthouse on silent mode. Taking photographs, video, or audio recordings anywhere inside the courthouse is strictly prohibited and subject to confiscation and contempt."”	Fairfax	Smartwatches allowed (silent)	No lockers	Free Validated
Prince William County Prince William County Judicial Center (Manassas) “Prince William County Judicial Center Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, and cameras are prohibited past the Sheriff security checkpoint for general visitors and traffic defendants. Free phone storage lockers are provided in the entrance pavilion. Summoned jurors and attorneys are exempt."”	Manassas	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Virginia Beach County Virginia Beach Judicial Center (Building 10 / 10B) “Virginia Beach Judicial Center (Building 10 / 10B) Courthouse Electronic Device Policy: "Visitors and jurors may bring cell phones into the courthouse on silent mode. All photography and recording inside the courthouse is strictly prohibited."”	Virginia Beach	Smartwatches allowed (silent)	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Loudoun County Loudoun County Courts Complex (Leesburg) “Loudoun County Courts Complex (Leesburg) Circuit Court Security Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for the general public. Attorneys, court employees, and summoned jurors (where specified) are exempt."”	Leesburg	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Chesterfield County Chesterfield County Courts Building “Chesterfield County Sheriff Security Order: "No cell phones, smartwatches, Fitbits, Bluetooth earbuds, or recording devices are permitted inside the Courts Building for defendants or the general public. No storage lockers exist at the door; leave devices in your car. Summoned jurors with a summons may bring phones to the Jury Assembly Room."”	Chesterfield	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Henrico County Henrico County Courthouse (Parham Road) “Henrico County Courthouse (Parham Road) Circuit Court Security Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for the general public. Attorneys, court employees, and summoned jurors (where specified) are exempt."”	Henrico	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Chesapeake County Chesapeake Judicial Center “Chesapeake Judicial Center Circuit Court Security Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for the general public. Attorneys, court employees, and summoned jurors (where specified) are exempt."”	Chesapeake	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	No lockers	Free Validated
Arlington County Arlington County Courthouse (Arlington) “Arlington County Courthouse (Arlington) Circuit Court Security Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for the general public. Attorneys, court employees, and summoned jurors (where specified) are exempt."”	Arlington	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Norfolk County Norfolk Consolidated Courts Complex “Norfolk Consolidated Courts Complex Circuit Court Security Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for the general public. Attorneys, court employees, and summoned jurors (where specified) are exempt."”	Norfolk	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes ($0.25)	Free Validated
Richmond City Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond) “Richmond City Courthouse (Richmond) Circuit Court Security Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for the general public. Attorneys, court employees, and summoned jurors (where specified) are exempt."”	Richmond	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Stafford County Stafford County Courthouse (Stafford) “Stafford County Courthouse (Stafford) Circuit Court Security Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for the general public. Attorneys, court employees, and summoned jurors (where specified) are exempt."”	Stafford	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated
Spotsylvania County Spotsylvania County Courthouse (Spotsylvania) “Spotsylvania County Courthouse (Spotsylvania) Circuit Court Security Order: "Cell phones, smartwatches, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited inside the courthouse for the general public. Attorneys, court employees, and summoned jurors (where specified) are exempt."”	Spotsylvania	Smartwatches BANNED at checkpoint	Yes (Free)	Free Validated

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear my Apple Watch to court in Virginia?

10 courthouses in Virginia 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.