Pennsylvania Administrative Order 2

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF MONROE COUNTY

FORTY-THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

In re: Electronic Device and Advanced: 1 AD 2023 Communication Technology (ACT): 5 CV 2023 Use in the Monroe County Court of:
Common Pleas and Magisterial:
District Courts:
:
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

AND NOW, this 2nd day of January, 2023, it is ORDERED as follows:
1. The use of any electronic devices in the Courts of the 43rd Judicial District, Monroe County, Pennsylvania are subject to the provisions established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Pa.R.Crim.P. 112, Pa.R.J.A. 1910 and by statute in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1 which specifically makes it a criminal offense if a person " in any manner and for any purpose uses or operates a device to capture, record, transmit or broadcast a photograph, video, motion picture or audio of a proceeding or person within a judicial facility or in an area adjacent to or immediately surrounding a judicial facility without the approval of the court or presiding judicial officer or except as provided by rules of court. "
2. Photographic and Video Cameras and Similar Devices The Court prohibits the taking of photographs, video, or motion pictures of any judicial proceedings or in the hearing room or courtroom or its environs during the judicial proceedings.

Additionally, the Court prohibits the transmission of communications by telephone, radio, television, or advanced communication technology from the hearing room or the courtroom or its environs during the process of or in connection with any judicial proceedings, whether or not the court is actually in session.

" The environs of the hearing room or courtroom is defined as the area immediately surrounding the entrances and exits to the hearing room or courtroom. " PA R.Crim.P. 112

Cameras, both photographic and video, are only permitted in the courthouse on the 2nd floor immediately adjacent to Court Administration.

Cameras are permitted to shoot into the breezeway between the Historic Courthouse and Annex buildings on the 2nd floor, however, they are not permitted on the breezeway. Cameras are not permitted to shoot toward the entrance of Courtroom 3 which is located in this area.

Cameras are not permitted to shoot within any internal space of a magisterial district court.

3. Cell Phones, Smart Watches, and Similar Devices Credentialed media personnel are permitted to enter the courthouse with their cell phones. Reporters must present credentials from their media outlet, which must include a photo. Those who do not have media credentials with photo must present their media credential together with valid photo identification. Media personnel are allowed to use their cell phones in areas immediately adjacent to Court Administration on the 2nd floor.

Media personnel are prohibited from broadcasting or otherwise transmitting video or sound recordings or photographs via cell phone or any electronic device, including but not limited to smart watches, from any courtroom.

Cell phones and any other electronic devices with photographic or video capabilities are subject to the camera restrictions in paragraph 2 above.

4. Laptop Computers, Electronic Tablets, and Similar Devices Media personnel are permitted to use laptops and electronic tablets in the courtroom for the sole purpose of note-taking. Transmission from or recording by laptops, electronic tablets, or any electronic device is strictly prohibited.

Laptops, tablets, and similar devices are subject to the same camera restrictions in paragraph 2 above.

5. Recording " The stenographic, mechanical or electronic recording, or the recording using any advanced communication technology, of any judicial proceedings by anyone other than the official court stenographer in a court case, for any purpose, is prohibited. " PA R.Crim.P. 112 (C)

All recording devices are subject to the same camera restrictions in paragraph 2 above.

6. The Court employs official court recorders and court monitors who supplement the work of official court stenographers. This group of employees are expressly authorized to use electronic recording technology in the performance of their duties.

BY THE COURT:

MARGHERITA PATTI-WORTHINGTON, P.J.

Monroe County PA Prothonotary
JAN 2123 PM2: 10