New Southern District Rules Governing the Use of Electronic Devices (Cell Phones, BlackBerrys and Computers) in Courthouses
Southern District of New York
SDNY/Electronic Devices
The Standing Order, signed by Chief Judge Loretta Preska, is attached. The new rules go into effect on April 1, 2010.
Last July, the Federal Bar Council submitted comments to the Court urging the modification of the Court's rules governing the use of electronic and computing devices in Southern District Courthouses. We are delighted that the Court has adopted rules similar to those urged by the Council. On behalf of the Council, I thank the Court for modifying its rules to permit the use of electronic and computing devices by members of the Southern District Bar, subject to certain important requirements. We believe that these new, balanced rules will benefit the practices of our members.
Specifically, the new rules permit members of the Southern District Bar, with a valid Service Pass issued by the District Executive's Office, and subject to security screening, to bring one Personal Electronic Device (cell phone, Palm Pilot, iPhone, BlackBerry, or other comparable device) into Southern District Courthouses for that attorney's own use. The device may not be shared with others and must be used in a manner that does not disrupt judicial proceedings. Individual judges may prohibit the bringing of such electronic devices into their courtrooms or chambers. The District Executive's Office will issue a Service Pass to any attorney admitted in the Southern District who presents a valid State Unified Court System Attorney Service Pass.
Under the new rules, a member of the Southern District Bar, with a valid Service Pass, subject to security screening, and with the approval of the Judge before whom the attorney is appearing, on the form order specified, may bring a General Purpose Computing Device (laptop, notebook, desktop computer, or other comparable device) into a Southern District Courthouse for use in a trial or other proceeding, subject to certain requirements specified in the Standing Order.
The rules require that all sound emitting capabilities of electronic and computing devices, including any ring tone or vibrating sound, be turned off when inside a courtroom. No electronic device may be used in any courtroom for communicating with others without the express permission of the Judge.
It is important that members of the Bar strictly comply with these new rules, and we urge our members to review the attached Standing Order closely.
Regards,
Robert J. Giuffra, Jr.
President
Federal Bar Council
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