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Media and Public Information

About the Federal Courts

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts has published A Journalist's Guide to the Federal Courts to provide an overview to assist members of the media in reporting on the federal judiciary.  Additional information about the federal judiciary is also available at the United States Courts website.  

Attending Court

With limited exceptions, federal civil and criminal court proceedings are open to the public and may be observed by anyone, including members of the media. The daily and weekly court schedules are published on the Court's website for the benefit of the public and bar.  

Press passes are not needed for members of the media to attend a court proceeding.  Similarly, members of the media are not required to register or to identify themselves with the Clerk's Office before attending court.  

Obtaining Court Documents

Court records are available through PACER or at public terminals located in the Clerk's Office.  For older records not available on PACER, please submit a records request.

Recent court opinions are available on the Court's website.  The U.S. Government Printing Office has been publishing on its website all U.S. District of Maryland court opinions issued since 2005.  

An RSS feed of court opinions is available here.

Photographing, Recording and Transmitting Data from the Courthouse

Except for approved court ceremonies, photography is prohibited in all areas of the courthouse and in all courtrooms.  In addition, audio and video recording, as well as transmitting data, is prohibited in all courtrooms.  

This policy applies to all visitors, including members of the media.  There is no prohibition on bringing into the courthouse small electronic devices, such as tablets or laptops, however these may only be used outside of courtrooms.  Media production equipment is prohibited in the courthouse without prior permission.

The Court's full policy on the use of electronic devices in the courthouse provides additional information.

Media Inquiries

All media inquiries may be directed to the Clerk's Office public information officer at 410-962-3228 or by email at MDD_PublicInformation@mdd.uscourts.gov.  Routine case-related questions, such as case status or calendar information, may be directed to the assigned case administrator.