Joel N. Kreizman
Partner
732-568-8363 jkreizman@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Electronic Devices Now Have New Rules For Use in New Jersey Courts
Author: Joel N. Kreizman
Date: January 16, 2015
Key Contacts
Back
New for 2015: Revised Rules for Using Electronic Devices in New Jersey Courts
In December, the Supreme Court of New Jersey announced new rules for the use of electronic devices in the state’s courtrooms. They take effect on February 2, 2015.
The guidelines, which were last revised in 2003, are intended to reflect changes in technology as well as the way in which news is reported. They apply equally to journalists, attorneys, and the public.
As noted by the New Jersey Judiciary, “The pervasiveness of new electronic devices, and their availability to traditional journalists, bloggers, new age journalists and the general public, requires courts to implement guidelines governing the use of electronic devices in and around a courthouse, so that their use does not compromise fairness to litigants, efficiency in court proceedings and/or appropriate courtroom decorum.”
The most significant change is that anyone who wants to use electronic equipment in the courtroom must sign an agreement that they will adhere to the rules set forth in Supreme Court Guidelines on Electronic Devices in the Courtroom. The agreement must only be signed once and is then valid for 12 months. Once it is executed, the agreement permits the individual to use an electronic device inside a courtroom to take notes and receive information and communications without further approval being required. Violating the agreement may result in sanctions, including, but not limited to, contempt of court.
The guidelines for recording, photographing or broadcasting a court proceeding are virtually unchanged. Individuals seeking to do so must request permission from the court to do so.
The guidelines also address the permissible use of electronic devices on courthouse grounds and common areas. For instance, while in common areas of a courthouse individuals may use an electronic device for any purpose other than to take photographs, electronically record and/or broadcast. The guidelines also reserve the right to restrict the use of electronic devices if such use “interferes with the administration of justice, poses a threat to safety or security, or compromises the integrity of the proceedings.”
- Business attorney New Jersey
- New Jersey Business Litigation Attorney
- NJ attorney Scarinci
- Scarinci Hollenbeck
- Practices: Litigation, Commercial Litigation - Business Litigation Attorney
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, Little Falls, NJ, New York City
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Can You Change an Irrevocable Trust in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, an irrevocable trust can sometimes be modified even though its name suggests otherwise, and one of the primary tools for doing so is a process called decanting. Whether decanting is available depends on the specific terms of the trust and the discretion given to the trustee. Key takeaways: New Jersey has no […]
Author: Marc J. Comer
How Intellectual Property Valuation Will Impact Business Transactions
Intellectual property valuation determines the monetary value of a business’s IP assets, and it drives outcomes in licensing deals, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, financing, and ownership disputes. The most valuable assets of a business are often the things that cannot be seen or touched: a proprietary process, a copyrighted work, brand recognition, or the […]
Author: Jay McDaniel
Data Center, Dark Fiber, and Lit Services Agreements in New Jersey: Key Terms and Legal Pitfalls
For New Jersey data center owners and operators, a service agreement may look routine when it is signed. The network is functioning, the vendor is meeting its installation schedule, and the parties have agreed on pricing and performance specifications. The provisions that seem most important at that stage are often the technical ones. That changes […]
Author: George McGowan
Fort Monmouth Redevelopment and the Transformation of Monmouth County Real Estate
The Fort Monmouth redevelopment has entered its execution phase, and it is repositioning the broader Monmouth County real estate market. When Netflix and the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority closed on the 292-acre Mega Parcel in December 2025, the transaction did more than hand over a deed. It marked the moment Fort Monmouth stopped being […]
Author: Donald M. Pepe
Local Zoning and Land Use Rules Every New Jersey Rental Property Owner Should Understand
Owning a residential rental property in New Jersey involves more than finding tenants and collecting rent. Property owners must comply with a combination of state laws, municipal ordinances, building and housing codes, and zoning and land use regulations. These requirements can affect everything from the number of dwelling units permitted at a property to whether […]
Author: Donald M. Pepe
Real Estate Litigation Explained: Top 5 Disputes and How to Avoid Them
The five most common real estate disputes are breach of contract claims, landlord-tenant conflicts, zoning and land use disagreements, construction claims, and boundary disputes. Understanding why each arises, and taking preventive steps early, can help property owners, tenants, developers, and investors avoid costly litigation. Key Takeaways: Real estate transactions are complex endeavors involving numerous parties […]
Author: Paul Grossman
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.