SLR 9-3.182: Personal Communication Devices

(1) For the purposes of this rule, personal communication devices include, but are not limited to, cellular telephone, smart phones, pagers, laptop computers, and tablets. (2) Personal communication devices must be turned off upon entering the courtroom and shall remain off until after the person has departed from the courtroom. Attorneys shall be permitted to leave their personal communication devices on provided said devices are placed in silent mode or in a mode where the personal communication device cannot produce an audio sound. The court may make exceptions to this prohibition upon request. (3) Jurors shall not be allowed to have personal communication devices, whether on or off, once empaneled until the conclusion of trial except during lunch and overnight recesses. (4) Violations of this rule may result in a finding of contempt, an order that the violation personal communication device be turned over to the court to seize and hold such device pending the completion of the hearing, an order that any recording made be deleted from the personal communication device or any other sanctions the court deems appropriate. CHAPTER 4 Proceedings in Criminal Cases