D.V.I. LRCi 1.3

(a) Personal Electronic Devices. Personal Electronic Devices are defined as follows:

(1) Cellular telephones, smart phones, any type of computer (including, but not limited

to a laptop, handheld, notebook, or tablet), any analog or digital recorder, MP3

player, personal digital assistants, and any other device that is capable of receiving,

transmitting, or recording messages, images, sounds, data, or other information by

electronic means; and

(2) Cameras, regardless of whether they operate electronically, mechanically, or

otherwise and regardless of whether images are recorded by using digital technology,

film, light-sensitive plates, or any other means.

(b) General Prohibition.

(1) Except as provided in this Rule, no person may possess or use a Personal Electronic

Device in the Almeric L. Christian Federal Building and Courthouse or the Ron de

Lugo Federal Building and Courthouse (collectively, “DVI Courthouses”). Personal

Electronic Devices must be checked at the security screening station in order for a

person possessing such a Device to gain access to the Courthouse.

(2) Unless otherwise permitted by these Rules, by the Court, or by the U.S. General

Services Administration (with respect to tenants of the DVI Courthouses), under no

circumstances shall any Personal Electronic Device be used to photograph,

broadcast, or record (audio or video) anything from the DVI Courthouses, including

visual images, or any judicial proceedings, grand jury proceedings, or any other

court-related judicial proceeding, whether these judicial proceedings are held

virtually, in open court, closed court, in the Chambers of a judge of this Court, or in

any other space within the DVI Courthouses. Nor shall any Personal Electronic

Device be used to take photographs of any kind in the DVI Courthouses. Nor shall

an MP3 player or any equivalent device be used.

(c) Exceptions and Conditions.

(1) Anyone permitted to bring Personal Electronic Devices into the DVI Courthouses

must ensure that such Devices are turned to silent mode prior to entry into the

Courthouse and remain in silent mode until after exiting the Courthouses. Any

device brought into a courtroom or Chambers shall be set so that no audible sounds

(including computer prompts) are emitted.

(2) Anyone who brings Personal Electronic Devices into the DVI Courthouses pursuant

to this Rule remains personally responsible for the use, or any misuse, of the

Devices.

(3) All Personal Electronic Devices that may be possessed or used in the DVI

Courthouses are subject to proper screening and security clearance upon entering

the DVI Courthouses, as determined by the U.S. Marshal’s Service and/or the Court

Security Officers. Upon inquiry or request from the U.S. Marshal’s Service or a

Court Security Officer, attorneys attempting to bring Personal Electronic Devices

into the DVI Courthouses are required to present photo identification and/or are

subject to having their access verified by Chambers.

(4) Any individuals or entities not otherwise granted permission by this Rule to possess

or use Personal Electronic Devices in the DVI Courthouse, and who desire to do so

in connection with matters involving the District Court or the Third Circuit Library,

must submit a written request to the Clerk’s Office at least two business days prior

to the requested date. The request must include the name of the individual seeking

to bring the Personal Electronic Device(s) into the DVI Courthouse; the particular

Device(s) that the person seeks to bring; the purpose for bringing in the Device(s);

and the date(s) for which permission is sought.

(5) Attorneys and Pro Se Litigants

(i) Attorneys admitted to practice before the District Court may bring Personal

Electronic Devices into the DVI Courthouses. Attorneys may not share their

Personal Electronic Devices with any other person, except a member of the

attorney’s staff assisting with the matter, without Court approval.

(ii) Attorneys wishing to use their Personal Electronic Devices in the courtroom

or in a judge’s Chambers must receive the permission of the judge presiding

over the proceedings. If permission is granted, the judge retains the discretion

to withdraw such permission for any or all attorneys at any time during the

proceedings and for any reason.

(iii) Cellular telephone calls may be made or received only in attorney conference

rooms or other public areas. For the avoidance of doubt, cellular telephones

may not be used to make or receive telephone calls in the courtroom,

Chambers, or the Third Circuit Library without Court approval.

(iv) Personal Electronic Devices may be used to send and receive text messages,

e-mails, or to otherwise communicate electronically within the DVI

Courthouses, including the Courtrooms or Chambers, unless the judge

presiding over the proceeding directs otherwise.

(v) Pro se litigants must file a motion seeking permission to bring any Personal

Electronic Devices into the DVI Courthouses, courtrooms, or Chambers. The

motion must include the name of the individual seeking to bring the Personal

Electronic Device(s) into the DVI Courthouse; the particular Device(s) which

the person seeks to bring; and the purpose for bringing in the Device(s). The

rules applicable to Attorneys shall apply to any pro se litigant granted

permission to bring a Personal Electronic Device into the DVI Courthouses

unless the Order granting permission imposes more restrictive conditions.

(6) Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Third Circuit Library. Attorneys admitted

to practice before the District Court may use Personal Electronic Devices in the

Third Circuit Library for the purpose of electronically scanning documents.

(7) Sanctions.

(i) Any violation of this Rule may result in sanctions, including but not limited to

a monetary fine, a finding of contempt of court, and the forfeiture of the

privileges granted by this Rule.

(ii) The Chief Judge may modify or suspend the privileges granted by this Rule at

any time for any reason.