Lancaster Cnty. C.P. Local Rules Interactive Book Rule 112

A. The taking of photographs, including video pictures and recording, and the use of

audio and video broadcast and audio recording equipment and any other device

capable of capturing or transmitting sound or images, in a courtroom or hearing

room or its environs during the progress of or in connection with any action,

whether or not court is actually in session, is prohibited.

B. Environs Defined: Environs of a courtroom or hearing room shall include the

entire floor on which is located any courtroom, hearing room, jury room, grand

jury room, sheriff’s office or station, Prothonotary’s or Clerk of Courts office, office

of the District Attorney, or any lockup or prisoner holding area. Environs also

includes the corridor or lobby on the main floor or street floor, any elevator area

and any area constituting an interior entrance area to the building of any

courtroom, hearing room or grand jury room.

C. Recording Devices and Cellular Telephones Prohibited: Cameras, cellular

telephones, portable electronic data devices and any other device capable of

capturing or transmitting images or sound are prohibited inside of the Lancaster

County Courthouse (hereafter “Courthouse”), Adult Probation and Parole offices

(40 East King Street), Domestic Relations lobby and offices, and inside a

Magisterial District Court office at the discretion of the Magisterial District Judge.

1. Employee Exception: The prohibition in Section C above shall not apply to

those individuals employed by the Court or County in the Courthouse, a

Magisterial District Court, Adult Probation and Parole offices, or Domestic

Relations lobby and offices, who clearly display an identification badge

issued by the County of Lancaster, provided, however, that the device

shall be in a “silent” or “vibrate only” mode when the employee enters a

courtroom, hearing room, or grand jury room.

2. Attorney Exception: The prohibition to those facilities enumerated in

Section C above shall not apply to an attorney at law who enters the

Courthouse or a Magisterial District Court on business related to the

representation of a client, provided, however, that the device shall have

the power switched “off” when the attorney enters a courtroom, hearing

room, or grand jury room.

3. Emergency Responder Exception: The prohibition to those facilities

enumerated in Section C above shall not apply to emergency medical or

other personnel responding to a call within the Courthouse, Office of Adult

Probation, or Magisterial District Court.

4. Juror Exception: The prohibition in Section C above shall not apply to

jurors summoned by Court Administration during their period of service as

a juror.

5. Evidence Exception: The prohibition in Section C above shall not apply

to the use of such devices for the purpose of presenting evidence in any

court proceeding.

6. Law Enforcement Exception: The prohibition to those facilities

enumerated in Section C above shall not apply to a member of law

enforcement who provides proper identification and is on business related

to a case before the court and/or a meeting with the Office of the District

Attorney. However, the device shall have the power switched “off” when

the member of law enforcement enters a courtroom, hearing room, or

grand jury room.

D. Special Proceedings: In the discretion of the President Judge, photographing,

making video or audio recordings, televising or broadcasting any special

proceedings such as investiture, naturalization, or ceremonial proceedings, in a

courtroom or its environs may be permitted under such conditions as the

President Judge may prescribe.

E. Stenographic Recordings: Except as permitted by law or rule of court, the

recording by any means of any judicial proceedings by anyone other than the

official court stenographer in a court case, for any purpose, is prohibited.

F. Special Permission: The President Judge may, upon application, make exception

to the prohibitions contained in this Rule under such circumstances and subject

to such conditions as the President Judge may prescribe.

1. The application shall include the reason for the request, the type of

electronic medium intended to be used, the locations at which the

electronic medium is to be used, and the date and times of the day for

which the exception is being sought.

2. If the exception is being sought in connection with any judicial

proceeding, the caption and case number of the proceeding shall be

included in the application.

G. Special Cases: The court may make such orders as may be necessary in

connection with any specific case to protect the rights of all parties and the public

Effective: 01/09/2017