CRIMINAL RULES

LCrR 53.1 Photographs, Broadcasting, Recording, and Television Forbidden

No person may photograph, electronically record, televise, or broadcast a judicial proceeding. This rule shall not apply to ceremonial proceedings or electronic recordings by an official court reporter or other authorized court personnel.

LCrR 53.2 Dress and Conduct

All persons present in a courtroom where a trial, hearing, or other proceeding is in progress must dress and conduct themselves in a manner demonstrating respect for the court. The presiding judge shall have the discretion to establish appropriate standards of dress and conduct.

Firearms and other weapons are prohibited in areas of buildings designated for court use. Such weapons may be carried by the United States Marshal, the marshal's deputies, courtroom security personnel, and other persons to whom a presiding judge has given approval.

LCrR 55.1 Case Files

1. Official Record. The electronic version of a document maintained on ECF, or the paper version of a document not so maintained, is the official record of the court.
2. Inspection of Files. Except as otherwise limited by rule or by court order, the electronic portion of an original file in a pending or closed case shall be available for public inspection in the clerk's office. The paper portion of an original file shall be available in the division where the case is filed, unless the file has been removed to a federal records center. The clerk shall not release the paper portion of a file from the clerk's custody without the permission of the presiding judge, or except as permitted by subsection (d) of this rule.
3. Inspection of Closed Filed. [Repealed 9-1-06]
4. Copies of Files. Upon request, the clerk shall provide copies of the contents of case files, including transcripts of oral depositions and court proceedings. The clerk shall charge the fee established by the court for this service. When large numbers of copies are requested, the clerk is authorized to release the file to a commercial copying service, and to direct that the fee charged be paid directly to the service.

1. Release While Case Pending. Without an order from the presiding judge, no exhibit in the custody of the court may be removed from the clerk's office while the case is pending.
2. Removal or Destruction After Final Disposition of Case. All exhibits in the custody of the court must be removed from the clerk's office within 60 days after final disposition of a case. The attorney who introduced the exhibits shall be responsible for their removal. Any exhibit not removed within the 60-day period may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the clerk.

LCrR 55.3 Sealed Documents

1. A party may file under seal any document that a statute or rule requires or permits to be so filed. The term "document," as used in this rule, means any pleading, motion, other paper, or physical item that the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure permit or require to be filed.
2. If no statute or rule requires or permits a document to be filed under seal, a party may file a document under seal only on motion and by permission of the presiding judge.
   1. When a party files on paper a motion for leave to file a document under seal, the clerk must file the motion under seal. The party must attach as an exhibit to the motion a copy of the document to be filed under seal. The party must also submit with the motion the original and a judge's copy of the document to be filed under seal. The original of the document must neither be physically attached to the motion nor made an exhibit to the motion. If leave to file the document under seal is granted, the clerk must file the original of the document under seal.
   2. When a party files by electronic means a motion for leave to file a document under seal, the party may file the motion under seal and must attach the proposed sealed document as an exhibit. If leave is granted, the party must file the document under seal by electronic means.

LCrR 55.4 Disposition of Sealed Documents     

Unless the presiding judge otherwise directs, all sealed documents maintained on paper will be deemed unsealed 60 days after final disposition of a case. A party that desires that such a document remain sealed must move for this relief before the expiration of the 60-day period. The clerk may store, transfer, or otherwise dispose of unsealed documents according to the procedure that governs publicly available court records.

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