Most courts do not allow laptops in the jury box, but rules vary by courthouse
Whether you can bring a laptop to jury duty depends on which court you are summoned to and what stage of the process you are in. During jury selection and while serving on a jury, most federal courts and state courts prohibit laptops, tablets, and smartphones in the courtroom itself. However, you may be allowed to use devices in the waiting area before you are called into a courtroom, and some courts have begun permitting note-taking devices during trial under strict conditions.
The core reason courts restrict devices is to prevent jurors from conducting independent research, accessing social media, or communicating with others about the case. Once you are sworn in as a juror, you are instructed not to investigate the case on your own, and a laptop or phone makes that instruction much harder to enforce. Courts also want to avoid the distraction and disruption that device use can cause in the courtroom.
Before you pack your bag for jury duty, contact the specific courthouse where you have been summoned. The court's website usually lists what you can bring, or you can call the jury office directly. Rules differ between federal district courts, state trial courts, and local courts, and even between different judges within the same courthouse.
Key Takeaways
- Most courts prohibit laptops and smartphones in the courtroom during jury selection and trial, though waiting areas may have different rules.
- Courts restrict devices to prevent jurors from researching the case, accessing social media, or communicating about what they hear in court.
- The specific courthouse where you are summoned sets the rules, so you should contact the jury office or check the court's website before jury duty begins.
- If you are selected for a long trial, ask the judge whether note-taking is permitted and what form it must take.
- Violating a court's device restrictions can result in contempt of court charges or removal from the jury.
What the rules are during jury selection
During voir dire — the process where lawyers and the judge question potential jurors — courts almost universally prohibit laptops and phones in the courtroom. You will be asked to turn off your phone and leave it in your bag or with court staff. Laptops are not typically brought into the courtroom at all during this phase.
In the jury waiting area, where you sit before being called into a courtroom, many courts do allow device use. You can often use your phone or laptop to read, work, or pass time while waiting. However, once you are called into the courtroom for jury selection, devices must be put away. If you are not selected for a trial, you may return to the waiting area and use your devices again.
Some courts have posted signs or included information in jury summons letters about what you can bring. Read your summons carefully — it often contains specific instructions about devices and what to expect on your first day.
Restrictions during trial if you are selected
If you are selected to serve on a jury, the judge will give you instructions about what you can and cannot do. These instructions almost always include a prohibition on using phones, laptops, or any internet-connected device to research the case, look up legal terms, or communicate with anyone about the case. The judge may also tell you not to visit the location where the crime or incident occurred, not to speak with witnesses, and not to discuss the case with other jurors until deliberation begins.
Some judges now permit jurors to take notes during trial using pen and paper. A smaller number of courts have begun allowing jurors to use court-provided tablets or laptops for note-taking, but only under supervision and only for that specific purpose. You cannot use a personal device for note-taking without explicit permission from the judge. If you want to take notes, ask the judge at the start of trial whether it is permitted.
The length of the trial matters. In short trials lasting one or two days, judges often discourage note-taking altogether. In longer trials lasting weeks or months, judges are more likely to permit it because jurors need help remembering testimony.
What happens if you violate device restrictions
Using a phone or laptop in violation of a court's rules can result in serious consequences. The judge can hold you in contempt of court, which may result in a fine or jail time. More commonly, the judge will remove you from the jury and may declare a mistrial if your actions prejudiced the case — for example, if you researched the defendant online and shared what you found with other jurors.
Even if you think no one noticed, courts take device violations seriously because they undermine the fairness of the trial. If you are caught using a device, tell the judge immediately rather than trying to hide it. Honesty may result in a warning; deception is more likely to result in contempt charges.
Devices in the waiting area and during breaks
The waiting area before you are called into a courtroom is usually less restricted than the courtroom itself. Many courts allow jurors to use laptops, phones, and tablets while waiting. However, once you are called into a courtroom, you must put devices away.
If you are selected for a trial and the court takes a break — lunch, recess, or end of day — you still cannot use your phone or laptop to research the case or communicate about it. You can use your device for personal purposes unrelated to the case, such as checking email or reading news, but many judges instruct jurors not to do even that during breaks because it creates the appearance of impropriety.
Ask the judge or court staff what the rules are during breaks. Some courts are stricter than others, and the judge's instructions will be clear about what you can do with your time.
How to find out your specific court's rules
The best source of information is the courthouse itself. Look for the court's website and search for "jury duty" or "what to bring." Most courts post a list of permitted and prohibited items. If the website does not have the information, call the jury office. The phone number is usually on your summons letter.
When you call, ask specifically: Can I bring a laptop to the courthouse? Can I use it in the waiting area? What are the rules once I am in the courtroom? Different courts have different policies, and some judges have their own rules within the same courthouse.
If you have a legitimate reason to bring a laptop — for example, you are self-employed and need to work during waiting time — explain that when you call. Some courts may make exceptions or have a separate area where you can work. It is better to ask in advance than to arrive with a device and be turned away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone to take notes during trial?
No, not without explicit permission from the judge. Most courts prohibit phones in the courtroom entirely. If you want to take notes, ask the judge whether pen and paper or a court-provided device is permitted. Using your personal phone to take notes violates the court's rules and can result in removal from the jury.
What if I need my laptop for work during jury duty?
Contact the jury office before your duty date and explain your situation. Some courts allow you to work in the waiting area but not in the courtroom. Others may excuse you from jury duty or reschedule your service. It is worth asking — courts sometimes accommodate work-related needs, but you have to request it in advance.
Can I look something up on my phone if I do not understand a legal term the judge uses?
No. Once you are sworn in as a juror, you are instructed to base your decision only on the evidence presented in court and the judge's instructions. Looking up legal terms, definitions, or anything else related to the case violates that instruction and can result in contempt charges or removal from the jury.
What if I accidentally use my phone in the courtroom?
Tell the judge or court staff immediately. Honesty is important — if you are caught and have tried to hide it, the consequences are more serious. A single accidental use is usually handled with a warning, but repeated violations or deliberate use can result in contempt of court.
Are the rules different for federal court versus state court?
Federal courts and state courts both prohibit devices in the courtroom, but the specific rules vary by courthouse and judge. Federal courts tend to be stricter overall, but some state courts are equally restrictive. Always contact the specific courthouse where you are summoned to learn its rules.