Policy on Use of Electronic Devices in U.S. Courthouses in the District of Minnesota

(Effective January 9, 2026)

This order establishes the security procedures applicable to all persons entering a courthouse in the District of Minnesota (referred to as "Courthouse"). 

1. Cameras, Recording Devices, and Electronic Devices
   
   1. All cameras, recording devices, cellular telephones, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, smart watches, smart glasses, and similar electronic devices (collectively, "electronic devices") shall be subject to inspection upon entry at all designated court security checkpoints.
   2. Upon entry to the Minneapolis or St. Paul Courthouses, and by order of any judge in the District of Minnesota on any particular day or days at the Duluth or Fergus Falls Courthouses, and subject to the exemptions set forth in Paragraph (A)(5) below, all electronic devices shall be turned off in the presence of Court Security Officers upon entry to the Courthouse and placed in a locked pouch or locked receptacle provided by the U.S. Marshal. Devices shall remain in the locked pouch or receptacle while the owner is in the Courthouse.
   3. Devices in a locked pouch shall remain in the possession of the owner while in the Courthouse. The locked pouch may not be willfully opened, damaged, or tampered with while in the visitor's possession, and must be returned to the Court Security Officers before leaving the Courthouse, at which time the pouch will be unlocked and the personal device will be removed from the pouch and returned to the visitor.
   4. Willful damage, attempted damage, theft, or attempted theft of the locked pouch may subject the visitor to criminal penalties, including but not limited to fines and imprisonment of up to 10 years pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 641 and 1361.
   5. Unless otherwise ordered by the Chief Judge, or the presiding judge in a specific case, only the following persons shall be exempt from placing their electronic devices in a locked pouch or receptacle. The following exempt individuals are not permitted to carry another individual's electronic device into the courthouse without placing it in a locked pouch.
      
      1. Judicial officers, employees of the U.S. District Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services and other federal court employees on official business with valid court-issued identification;
      2. All attorneys with either a valid bar identification card or credentials of the U.S. Department of Justice or the Office of the Federal Public Defender;
      3. Summoned and seated petit or grand jurors, subject to any restrictions imposed by the presiding judge on that case;
      4. Volunteer law clerks and/or interns for the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and U.S. Bankruptcy Court with valid court­ issued identification or documentation;
      5. Law enforcement officials on official business with valid identification or badge;
      6. U.S. District Court credentialed media;
      7. Employees of delivery services, courier services, and law firm couriers who frequent the courthouse, on official business with valid identification or documentation;
      8. Federal Government employees on official business and Contractors cleared by GSA or escorted by Federal Government/cleared staff;
      9. Court contracted interpreters and court reporters on official assignment.
      10. Persons with implanted biometric sensors that send medical alerts to their electronic device (ex: diabetic blood sugar testing); 
      11. Students or invitees of pre-arranged training classes, meetings or activities that have been sponsored by a Federal agency occupying the facility;
      12. Applicants and guests attending naturalization ceremonies. 
   6. Notwithstanding the above exemptions, no electronic device may be used or possessed in violation of Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53 (prohibiting courtroom photography and broadcasting in criminal cases) or in violation of any directive of a Judge, Deputy United States Marshal, or Court Security Officer.
2. Violation of the Policy
   
   1. Any person in violation of these rules will have their device confiscated and risks being removed from the courtroom or courthouse at the discretion of the Judge or U.S. Marshals Service Court Security Officers.