A new court order allows portable electronic devices inside the Fairfax County Courthouse, subject to regulations. Approved portable devices may now be used for audio telephone calls inside courthouse common areas; however these devices may not be used in courtrooms for any purpose unless expressly authorized by the presiding judge. Photography, video and audio recording, and/or other audio or video transmission from inside the courthouse is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Court.

Acceptable portable electronic devices include:

Portable personal computers.
Tablet computers.
Mobile telephones (including telephones with cameras and audio and video recording and transmission capabilities).
Electronic calendars.
E-book readers.
All other cameras, video cameras, video recording equipment and recording devices that are not considered a portable electronic device are prohibited beyond the courthouse entry area. Prohibited photographic and video recording equipment may be permitted with prior written authorization by an active 19th judicial circuit or district judge.

Jurors and court personnel are subject to additional restrictions and guidelines. View the full court order (PDF) for more information, or call the Fairfax County Circuit Court at 703-691-7320.

Right because we wouldn't want citizens outside the courthouse to know what happens in our courts.

You can sit in a court room, but god forbid anybody takes video of a trial.

i bet they just got sick of having to deal with all those phones LoLz

I have only been there recently for my two childrens' drivers license "ceremony", but what a cluster "F" that was with having to check in about 200 phones all at the same time, and then check them back out again, all at the same time.