Utah Code Jud. Admin. R. 4-401.02

Intent:

To permit the use of portable electronic devices in courthouses and courtrooms, subject to local restrictions.

Applicability:

This rule applies to the courts of record and not of record.

Statement of the Rule:

(1) Definitions.

(1)(A) “Judge” as used in this rule means the judge, justice, or court commissioner who is presiding over the proceeding.

(1)(B) “Portable electronic device” as used in this rule means any device that can record or transmit data, images or sounds, or access the internet, including a pager, laptop/notebook/personal computer, handheld PC, PDA, audio or video recorder, wireless device, cellular telephone, or electronic calendar.

(1)(C) “Court proceeding” means any trial, hearing or other matter, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission.

(2) Possession and use of portable electronic devices in a courthouse.

(2)(A) A person may possess and use a portable electronic device anywhere in a courthouse, except as limited by this rule or directive of the judge.

(2)(B) All portable electronic devices are subject to screening or inspection at the time of entry to the courthouse and at any time within the courthouse in accordance with Rule 3-414.

(2)(C) All portable electronic devices are subject to confiscation if there is reason to believe that a device is or will be used in violation of this rule. Violation of this rule or directive of the judge may be treated as contempt of court.

(2)(D) The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission may record and transmit video and sound of court proceedings to evaluate the performance of justice court judges subject to a basic evaluation. These recordings and transmissions are not public, pursuant to Utah Code sections 63G-2-201(3) and 78A-12-206.

(3) Restrictions.

(3)(A) Use of portable electronic devices in common areas. The presiding judges may restrict the time, place, and manner of using a portable electronic device to maintain safety, decorum, and order of common areas of the courthouse, such as lobbies and corridors.

(3)(B) Use of portable electronic devices in courtrooms.

(3)(B)(i) A person may silently use a portable electronic device inside a courtroom.

(3)(B)(ii) A person may not use a portable electronic device to record or transmit images or sound of court proceedings, except in accordance with Rule 4-401.01 or subsection (2)(D) above.

(3)(B)(iii) A judge may further restrict use of portable electronic devices in his or her courtroom. Judges are encouraged not to impose further restrictions unless use of a portable electronic device might interfere with the administration of justice, disrupt the proceedings, pose any threat to safety or security, compromise the integrity of the proceedings, or threaten the interests of a minor.

(3)(B)(iv) During trial and juror selection, prospective, seated, and alternate jurors are prohibited from researching and discussing the case they are or will be trying. Once selected, jurors shall not use a portable electronic device while in the courtroom and shall not possess an electronic device while deliberating.

(3)(C) Use of portable electronic devices while viewing court proceedings conducted by remote transmission.

(3)(C)(i) A person may not use a portable electronic device to record, photograph, or transmit images or sound of court proceedings, except in accordance with rule 4-401.01 or subsection (2)(D) above. Access to court proceedings will be contingent on the person agreeing to comply with the provisions in this rule and any administrative or standing orders that supplement this rule.

(3)(C)(ii) A violation of an administrative or standing order may be treated as contempt of court.

(4) Use of portable electronic devices in court chambers. A person may not use a portable electronic device in chambers without prior approval from the judge.

(5) Instruction to witnesses. It should be anticipated that observers in the courtroom will use portable electronic devices to transmit news accounts and commentary during the proceedings. Judges should instruct counsel to instruct witnesses who have been excluded from the courtroom not to view accounts of other witnesses' testimony before giving their own testimony.