Local Civil Rule 83.3

LOCAL CIVIL RULE 83 - RULES BY
DISTRICT COURTS; JUDGES' DIRECTIVES

LOCAL CIVIL RULE 83.3 - BUILDING SECURITY

LR83.3.1 Reasons for Building Security
LR83.3.2 Security Personnel
LR83.3.3 Carrying of Parcels, Bags, and Other Objects
LR83.3.4 Search of Persons
LR83.3.5 Unseemly Conduct
LR83.3.6 Entering and Leaving
LR83.3.7 Spectators
LR83.3.8 Cameras and Electronic Equipment
LR83.3.9 Photographs, Radio or Television Broadcasting
LR83.3.10 Unauthorized Presence When Grand Jury Is in Session
LR83.3.11 Interviewing Witnesses Before Grand Jury
LR83.3.12E & W Weapons
LR83.3.12M Weapons
LR83.3.13 Enforcement

LR83.3.1 Reasons for Building Security

The purpose of these rules is to minimize interference with and disruptions of the court's business, to preserve decorum in conducting the court's business and to provide effective security in the buildings wherein proceedings governed by these rules are held. These buildings are hereinafter collectively referred to as "the premises".

LR83.3.2 Security Personnel

The term "Security Personnel" means the U.S. Marshal or deputy marshal or a deputized court security officer.

LR83.3.3 Carrying of Parcels, Bags, and Other Objects

Security personnel shall inspect all objects carried by persons entering the premises. No one shall enter or remain in the premises without submitting to such an inspection.

LR83.3.4 Search of Persons

Security personnel may search the person of anyone entering the premises or any space in it. Anyone who refuses to permit such a search shall be denied entry. Should any defendant in a criminal case whose appearance is required refuse to permit such a search, security personnel shall deny the person entry and shall immediately notify the judge before whom the appearance is required. The judge may take the appropriate action, including, but not limited to, detention and search, and ordering revocation of bond, if the defendant is on bond.

LR83.3.5 Unseemly Conduct

No person shall:

        A.    Loiter, sleep or conduct himself/herself in an unseemly or disorderly manner in the premises;

        B.    Interfere with or disturb the conduct of the court's business in any manner;

        C.    Eat or drink in the halls of the premises or in the courtrooms;

        D.    Block any entrance to or exit from the premises or interfere in any person's entry into or exit from the premises.

LR83.3.6 Entering and Leaving

All persons shall enter and leave courtrooms only through such doorways and at such times as shall be designated by the security personnel.

LR83.3.7 Spectators

Spectators shall enter or depart courtrooms only at such times as the presiding judge may direct. No spectator shall enter or remain in any courtroom unless spectator seating is available. Spectators shall sit in that portion of the courtroom designated by the U.S. Marshal. Spectators excluded because of lack of seating and spectators leaving the courtroom while court is in session or at any recess shall not loiter or remain in the area adjacent to the courtroom.

LR83.3.8 Cameras and Electronic Equipment

Unless authorized by the court, no camera, recording equipment, or other type of electrical or electronic device shall be brought into the premises. No person shall introduce or attempt to introduce any type of camera, recording equipment or other type of electrical or electronic device into the premises without court permission. No person shall introduce any type of camera, recording equipment or other type of electric or electronic device into the premises while, or immediately before or after, the grand jury is in session.

LR83.9 Photographs, Radio or Television Broadcasting

A. The taking of photographs in the courtroom or its environs or radio or television broadcasting from the courtroom or its environs, during the progress of or in connection with judicial proceedings, including proceedings before a United States Magistrate Judge, whether or not court is actually in session, is prohibited.

B. As used in these rules the term "environs" means any place within any United States Courthouse wherein these Rules apply, and any place wherein a United States Magistrate Judge may conduct judicial proceedings and any public place immediately adjacent thereto.

LR83.3.10 Unauthorized Presence When Grand Jury Is in Session

No person, except grand jurors, witnesses, government attorneys, agents or employees, court personnel concerned with any grand jury proceeding, private attorneys whose clients have been called to appear as witness at a session of the grand jury then in progress or about to commence, and others specifically authorized, shall be allowed to remain in the hall adjacent to the grand jury space beyond the entrance door.

LR83.3.11 Interviewing Witnesses Before Grand Jury

No person shall attempt to question, interview or interfere with any person who may testify or who has testified before any grand jury within the premises.

LR83.3.12E & W Weapons

No person shall be admitted to or allowed to remain in the premises with any object that might be employed as a weapon unless he or she has been authorized in writing by a judge or magistrate judge to do so, or unless he or she is a federal law enforcement agent, a U.S. Marshal, a Federal Protective Service Police Officer, a publicly employed law enforcement officer or a person designated by the court to assist U.S. Marshals or Federal Protective Service Police. No person, except U.S. Marshals and others specifically authorized by the court, shall have any such object in his or her possession while in any courtrooms, judges' chambers or magistrate judges' chambers. Federal law enforcement officers having prisoners in their custody in the courtroom of any magistrate judge or district judge may retain their sidearms.

LR83.3.12M Weapons

No person shall be admitted to or allowed to remain in the premises with any object that might be employed as a weapon unless he has been authorized in writing by a judge or magistrate judge to do so, or unless he is a federal law enforcement agent, a U.S. Marshal, a Federal Protective Service Police Officer, a publicly employed law enforcement officer or a person designated by the court to assist U.S. Marshals or Federal Protective Service Police. No person, except U.S. Marshals and others specifically authorized by the court, shall have any such object in his possession while in any courtrooms, judges' chambers or magistrate judges' chambers.

LR83.3.13 Enforcement

Security personnel shall enforce the whole of this Rule 83.3. In addition to such other penalties as may be prescribed by law, violators of this rule may be held in contempt of court and subject to the imposition of sanctions.