Courthouse Visitors Policy

All visitors to the United States Courthouses in Camden, Newark, and Trenton, as well as all Court-occupied spaces within the U.S. Post Office Buildings in Camden and Newark, must present valid government-issued photo identification (e.g., a driver's license) to enter the courthouse or court facility. You do not need a REAL ID for entry.

All visitors are required to undergo security screening. Bags, briefcases, and other personal items must be placed on an X-ray machine for screening. In addition, visitors may be asked to remove belts, watches, jewelry, shoes, or other items as directed by Court Security Officers.

Individuals entering any United States Courthouse or federal court facility may not possess any prohibited items. For a complete list of prohibited items, please refer to Standing Order 19-07 and Standing Order 23-03.

Media

Members of the media covering proceedings in the United States Courthouses in Camden, Newark, and Trenton, as well as proceedings in Court-occupied spaces within the U.S. Post Office Buildings in Camden and Newark, may wish to consult the Journalist’s Guide to the Federal Courts.

Rules, Policies and Procedures

Use of Cameras and Recording and Videotaping Devices 

Local Civil Rule 401.1, Restrictions of All Broadcasting, Photographing, Video or Voice Recording, prohibits internal recording and videotaping:

(a)  All broadcasting, photographing and recording, both video and voice, by way of camera, cell phone or other device, are prohibited throughout the interior of the United States Courthouses in Camden, Newark and Trenton. This prohibition applies to all persons, whether or not they are engaged in radio, television or internet broadcasting, blogging or print media, for commercial gain or personal use, and whether or not the Court is in session. A Judge may, however, permit the use of photographs, video or voice recordings for the presentation of evidence or the perpetuation of a record. Any exceptions to this rule must be requested in advance and written permission obtained by the presiding judge and/or tenant agency occupying the space where the exemption is requested.

(b) In the discretion of any Judge, broadcasting, photographing, audio or video recording of investitive, naturalization or ceremonial proceedings in a courtroom may be permitted under such conditions as the Judge may prescribe.

Requests to Film, Record and/or Videotape in or Around Courthouse and/or Court-Occupied Space

1. Interior Spaces

All interested parties should familiarize themselves with Local Civil Rule 401.1. Anyone seeking any exemption under the Rule should file a written request addressed to the Chief Judge via regular mail. The Court’s website provides the appropriate contact information.  

2. Exterior Spaces

For security reasons, all interested parties should reach out directly to the United States Marshals Service for this District. While Rule 401.1 does not expressly bar external filming, such activity will likely pose substantial security concerns that require the advance attention of and permission from the Marshals’ Office.

Cell Phones, Laptops, Tablets and Other Electronic Devices

Generally, Local Civil Rule 501.1 permits all persons to bring into the courthouse electronic devices that: (1) have as their primary function wireless communication, the storage and retrieval of digitized data, and computer applications; and (2) are rendered inoperable before entry into any courtroom or judicial chambers.

Please refer to the Local Civil Rules for the complete text of Rule 501.1 and additional information regarding the use of electronic devices in the courthouse.

Access to Hearings and Trials 

In most cases, hearings and trials are open to the media and the public. In certain high-profile cases, the Court may establish special procedures to address issues uniquely related to conducting such sensitive matters. 

While the Court may grant members of the media permission to use electronic devices, see L. Civ. R. 501.1(e), photographing, filming, broadcasting, visual or audio recording of any proceeding are still prohibited, L. Civ. R. 401.1.   

Failure to abide by these rules may result in sanctions, including but not limited to the revocation of an approved request for the use of electronic devices.  

Instructions to Request Remote Public Access to Civil Proceedings

There is no right of remote public audio access to any proceeding, and no judge is required to provide remote public audio access to any particular proceeding. However, in September 2023, the Judicial Conference approved a new policy that permits judges, at their discretion, to provide remote public audio access for certain civil proceedings. This allows members of the public or media to access some civil proceedings live by listening to the audio in accordance with applicable statutes and rules of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

(Remote public audio access to criminal proceedings is not permitted.)

Please follow the steps below to request permission for remote public audio access for a civil proceeding (virtual or in-person):

1. Send an email to ecfhelp@njd.uscourts.gov stating that you would like remote public audio access. You must include your name and telephone number, the case name, case number, and the date and time of the hearing. By submitting your request, you consent to follow all of the Court’s teleconferencing rules. (Court hearings can be monitored via the Court’s ECF RSS feed or by viewing Calendar Events Report or Docket Activity Report on PACER).
2. Await the Court’s determination as to whether remote access is granted or denied.
3. If remote access is granted, the Court will send you via email the rules and instructions for audio access to the hearing. These instructions are intended solely for your use and must not be shared with anyone. Unauthorized sharing of access information may result in the revocation of your access privileges.

Please be aware that if a judge exercises discretion to allow remote access and a proceeding develops in a way that remote public audio access is no longer prudent, the judge may terminate or pause remote public audio access at any time. 

Access to Court Records 

PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) is an electronic public access service that allows users to obtain case and docket information for federal circuit, district, and bankruptcy courts, and the U.S. Party/Case Index via the Internet.

Electronic access is available by registering with the PACER Service Center, the judiciary’s centralized registration, billing, and technical support center.

For more information regarding PACER, please see: https://pacer.login.uscourts.gov/csologin/login.jsf