Local General Court and Administration Rules of Court

GENERAL RULE 5 FOOD IN THE COURT

Jurors and parties to lawsuits, and others who may be required to be in the courthouses for extended periods of time, will be permitted to bring food for lunch and snacks into all courthouses, in appropriate containers, as further described in this rule. Abuse of these rules or failure to use trash receptacles for refuse will result in termination of an individual privilege to bring food into a courthouse.

Glass bottles are deemed a security risk and are prohibited and will be detained at the security entrances of all courthouses, except that baby bottles with milk and juice may be brought into the courthouse by parents or other caregivers who are bringing small children into the courthouse. All bottles may be subject to inspection by security screening personnel.

No food or drink may be openly displayed or consumed in any courtroom or anteroom of a courtroom without the express permission of the judicial officer presiding over that courtroom. Permission may be sought through the clerk or bailiff in that courtroom.

Food may be carried into the Old County Courthouse by persons who carry lunch and snacks; it may not be consumed or displayed in the Old County Courthouse corridors or public places. However, food may be consumed in a particular courtroom or courtroom anteroom with the consent of the judicial officer. Under no circumstances should food or drink be consumed in the Heritage Room.