D.C. Superior Court Adopts New Rules on Using Electronic Devices

Hoping to stem the use of electronic devices in courtrooms, District of Columbia Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield issued a new administrative order (PDF) on Wednesday outlining an official court policy.

The court already has rules against bringing in sound or video recorders, but advances in technology that make it possible to record on nontraditional devices – phones and computers, for instance – meant that a new policy was necessary, Satterfield wrote.

People coming in to court are allowed to bring in cell phones, computers, tablets and MP3 players. Cameras or tape recorders have to be left with court security.

Using electronic devices in court may not only run afoul of rules barring broadcasting from courtroom, Satterfield wrote in the order, but also “be disruptive to court proceedings.”

According to the order, anyone entering a courtroom is required to turn off any electronic devices and put them away. The order doesn’t apply to members of the D.C. Bar or other officials in court on business. Members of the media can get an exemption from the policy from the judge.

The order formalizes rules that are already being enforced unofficially in Superior Court. Judges, court employees and U.S. Marshals will often tell court observers or members of the media to put away phones, for instance, but according to Satterfield’s new order there was no policy on the books.

Anyone caught using a device without permission can be kicked out of the courtroom or the courthouse, and also face civil or criminal contempt sanctions.

Comments

[Avon]

I think the rule is loony. Members of the DC Bar can keep their devices on, and members of the VA or MD bars can't? If members of the DC Bar can leave their devices turned on, how (if at all) does the court propose to keep them from functioning in the courtroom - such as recording an oral argument or a judge's directive to counsel at a status conference?

There oughtta be a law, I'd say - and I mean a law that does what the court wants done.

[Aaron Worthing]

I could be wrong, but isn't this a slightly more relaxed set of rules? i don't believe they allowed cell phones with cameras in the courthouse at all, and now it is more reasonable approach of "don't let us catch you using it in the courtroom" (with some exceptions, of course).

[Current Affairs]

Your blog has made aware that what are the rules which is going to adopt by the court to use the electronic devices like, cameras which we ill be using very frequently, tape record daily i am used to listen to it,we can be careful while using that keeping the rules of the court in view.
thank you for issuing such a great article