disseminated in any manner unless in a subsequent court proceeding for the litigation in which the recording was made. This exception is limited to the recordation of oral testimony and does not accept or permit the use or operation of an electronic device to capture, record, transmit, or broadcast a photograph, video, motion picture, or audio of a proceeding.
Office Exception – The provisions of this rule may be waived by an elected official or department director within the confines of their office space provided the device shall have the power switch "off" when leaving the office and reentering other environs of the judicial facility.
Special Permission Exception – The President Judge may, upon request, make exception to the prohibitions contained in this rule under such circumstances and subject to such conditions as the President Judge may prescribe. The presiding Judge in an active court proceeding is authorized to grant exception to this rule to any party as the interests of justice require. The permission shall be limited to the proceeding being conducted and for the sole purpose of allowing the party access to information from an electronic device. The permission shall not authorize the capturing, recording, or broadcasting of a photograph, video, or audio of the proceeding nor shall extend beyond the confines of the courtroom in which the proceeding is being conducted unless the proceeding is a ceremonial proceeding in which the presiding Judge has expressly authorized such actions.
Special Proceedings Exception – At the discretion of the presiding Judge, photographing, video or audio recordings, televising, or broadcasting any special proceeding such as a marriage, naturalization, or adoption in a courtroom and subject to directives from the presiding Judge.
Statutory Exception – The prohibitions in this rule shall not apply in instances where Pennsylvania statutory law permits the recording of executive or legislative branch proceedings conducted in offices or conference rooms other than courtrooms. Where such exception applies, the electronic device shall only be activated upon entry into the room in which the proceeding is occurring and shall be deactivated and have the power switch "off" before reentry into the other environs of a judicial facility.
1. Any violation of this rule may result in a finding of contempt and imposition of any other sanction authorized by law. Additionally, a violation of 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 5103.1 will result in criminal prosecution. The prohibitions set