HomeMy WebLinkAbout39-1910.2. Prohibition of Video and Audio Recordings for website
39th Jud. Dis. R. Jud. Adm. 1910.2. Prohibition of Video and Audio
Recordings.
(a) The taking of photographs, including video pictures and recording, the use of
any audio and/or video broadcasting or recording equipment, and the use or
operation of any device capable of capturing or transmitting sound or images, in
any courtroom, 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 or Clerk of Courts office, Adult
Probation and Parole, Juvenile Probation and Parole, and Domestic Relations, 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, Areas Where 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 following areas in addition to the Franklin County and Fulton County
Courthouses (hereafter “Courthouses”): the hearing annex building (31 North 2nd
Street, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), the lobby and offices of the Franklin
County Adult and Juvenile Probation and Parole Departments, Domestic Relations
Department (157 Lincoln Way East, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), the lobby and
offices of the Fulton County Probation Department (318 N. 1 st Street,
McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania), Fulton County Domestic Relations Department
(116 W. Market Street, McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania), and inside any
Magisterial District Court office.
(d) Exceptions.
(1) Employees: The prohibitions in subdivision (c) shall not apply to those
individuals employed by the Court or County, a Magisterial District Court, Adult
Probation and Parole, or Domestic Relations. These Employees must clearly
display an identification badge issued by the County of Franklin or the County of
Fulton, provided, however, such Employees’ devices shall be in “silent” or
“vibrate only” mode when the Employee enters a courtroom, hearing room, or
grand jury room.
(2) Attorneys: The prohibitions enumerated in subdivision (c) above shall
not apply to an attorney at law who enters the Courthouses or a Magisterial District
Court on business related to the representation of a client, provided, however, that
the attorney’s device shall be in “silent” mode when the attorney enters a
courtroom, hearing room, or grand jury room, and shall be turned off or forfeited to
the Sheriff at the discretion of any presiding judge.
(3) Emergency Responders: The prohibitions enumerated in subdivision (c)
above shall not apply to emergency medical or other personnel responding to an
emergency.
(4) Jurors: The prohibitions in subdivision (c) above shall not apply to jurors
summoned by Court Administration during their period of service as a juror. The
use of these devices shall be directed by the presiding judge.
(5) Evidence: The prohibitions in subdivision (c) above shall not apply to the
use of such devices for the purpose of presenting evidence in any court proceeding,
with specific, prior approval of the presiding judge.
(6) Law Enforcement: The prohibitions enumerated in subdivision (c) shall
not apply to a member of law enforcement who provides proper identification and
is on business related to a case before the Court. However, such devices of Law
Enforcement shall have the power switched “off” when the member of law
enforcement enters a courtroom, hearing room, or grand jury room.
(e) Special Proceedings: At the discretion of the presiding judge, the
photographing, making of a video or audio recording, televising, and/or
broadcasting of any special proceeding such as investiture, naturalization, or other
ceremonial proceedings, in a courtroom or its environs may be permitted under
such conditions as the presiding judge may direct.
(f) Stenographic Recordings: Except as permitted by law or rule of court, the
recording by any means of any court proceeding by anyone other than the official
court stenographer or courtroom technician in a court proceeding, for any purpose,
is prohibited.
(g) Special Permission: Notwithstanding subdivision (e), the President Judge may,
upon application or upon the discretion of the President Judge, 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 for special permission shall include the reason for the
request, the type of electronic medium and/or device intended to be used, the
locations at which the electronic medium and/or device is to be used, and the
date(s) and time(s) for which the exception is being sought.
(2) If the exception is being sought in connection with a particular judicial
proceeding, the caption and case number of the proceeding shall be included in the
application.
(3) All applications for special permission shall be submitted to Court
Administration at 14 N. Main Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.
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Adopted by Order of Court, January 3, 2025; revised by Order of Court, January 27, 2025
Published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, 55 Pa.B. 443, Pa.B. Doc. No. 25-71, January 18, 2025
