Visitors heading to the Union County courthouse in Monroe should leave recording-capable electronics outside or seek permission to bring them in. An administrative order that took effect October 1 bars most visitors from bringing phones, tablets, smartwatches, cameras and other recording devices into the building.
The order, signed by Superior Court Judge Jonathan Perry, prohibits visitors from bringing in cell phones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, cameras, AI devices, Meta glasses and any other device capable of recording or transmitting sound or images, according to Queen City News. Courthouse staff, licensed North Carolina attorneys and law enforcement officers are exempt, the station reports.
People representing themselves in court or otherwise involved in a case can ask a judge or court official for permission to bring a device inside, according to the same report. Other requests are handled case by case; the station reported that people with diabetes who rely on a phone to track insulin levels may be allowed to bring one.
What Visitors Should Know About Enforcement
Reports differ on the possible jail term for unauthorized visitors caught with a prohibited device. Queen City News reported that they could be charged with contempt of court and face a $500 fine or up to 30 days in jail; WBTV reported a possible $500 fine and/or up to 20 days in jail. North Carolina law allows criminal contempt penalties of censure, up to 30 days’ imprisonment, a fine of no more than $500, or a combination, according to the North Carolina General Statutes.
The Union County Sheriff's Office may also confiscate devices for a minimum of 24 hours, Queen City News reported. WBTV reported that a limited number of lockers would reportedly be available, but did not specify how many or where.
Separate from the courthouse’s device policy, state law allows a judge to order people entering a courtroom—or people already there who choose to stay—to be searched for weapons or devices that could disrupt proceedings. Their belongings may also be inspected, according to the North Carolina General Statutes.
Visitors Report Being Turned Away
Queen City News reported that Union County resident Peter Noel was unable to bring in a laptop containing evidence he intended to give his attorney.
The station also reported that resident Walker Hudson was denied entry because he had his phone with him.
Device Rules Differ Across Nearby Courthouses
Union County is not the only area courthouse with device restrictions: Gaston, Cabarrus and Cleveland counties have similar rules, according to Queen City News. Cabarrus County previously considered a cell phone ban after local judges and courthouse staff raised the idea with county commissioners. Among the issues discussed was how to handle phones visitors forgot or left behind, the Independent Tribune reported.
Mecklenburg County takes a different approach, allowing phones into its courthouse while prohibiting recording, Queen City News reported. The official policy and how it differs from Union County’s ban are described below.
How Mecklenburg County Handles Devices
Unlike Union County’s ban, Mecklenburg County allows cell phones, laptops, tablets and e-readers into its courthouse; those devices must be screened separately. Photography, filming and audio recording are prohibited without prior written approval, according to the North Carolina Judicial Branch. The verified information establishes the current rules but does not establish when Mecklenburg County adopted this approach.
