Can I tweet from the courtroom?

Rules on the use of electronic media in courtrooms vary by jurisdiction. Many federal, as well as state, courts have traditionally been opposed to the use of cell phones, laptops and other technology in court. That is changing, however, as some judges and courts begin to allow the use of such devices in their courtrooms. One Massachusetts court, for example, allows the National Public Radio station in Boston to live-stream daily video and audio recordings of its proceedings as part of a pilot project experimenting with how digital technologies can foster the openness of American courts. And tweeting from the courtroom has become a fast-growing trend among court reporters nationwide, especially in competitive markets.

Some rules may be more intractable than others. The U.S. Supreme Court does not allow any forms of electronic media in its courtroom, and a number of its members have expressed a reluctance to change those rules. The high Court has become more amenable to technology in recent years, however. In 2010, for example, Chief Justice Roberts authorized audio recordings of the Court's oral arguments to be released at the end of each week, and in high-profile proceedings since the presidential election cases of 2000, the Court has released the recordings within minutes of their completion.

Cameras are prohibited from most federal trial courts as well, although a new federal court pilot project on the use of cameras in the courts is currently underway.

For more information, see the section on cameras in the courtroom.