Recording In Court
Sup.R. 12 — the one building with its own rulebook
A courtroom is not covered by the ordinary public place analysis. Ohio has a rule written specifically for it, and it works by permission rather than by default.
- The rule directs judges to permit broadcasting, recording, and photographs in proceedings that are open to the public.
- It runs on a request. The request is made in writing and the judge's order becomes part of the record of the case.
- The judge prohibits equipment or activity that is distracting to the proceedings, which is a real limit on how rather than a veto on whether.
- A judge may not use it to decide who counts as a legitimate voice, and may not refuse access simply to deny the accused an audience.
The courtroom and the courthouse are two different questions. Rule 12 is about proceedings. Hallways, lobbies, security lines, and clerk counters are governed by the building's own posted rules and by the forum analysis that covers any government building, and many courthouses bar phones at the door entirely.
Jails and prisons are stricter again. Access is controlled by the facility, recording is generally barred, and calls and visits are commonly recorded by the facility itself with notice given rather than consent asked.
Individual courts publish their own media and phone rules on top of the statewide rule. Check the specific court before the day rather than at the door.
Sources for this section (4)
- Sup.R. 12 — Broadcasting and recording court proceedings
- Perry Ed. Assn. v. Perry Local Educators' Assn., 460 U.S. 37 (1983) — Government property is sorted into public, designated, and nonpublic forums
- ORC 2923.123 — Weapons in a courthouse
- ORC 2933.52 — Interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Talk to a licensed Ohio attorney about your situation.