“The Judicial Conference of the United States today approved…a guidance on portable communication devices (pdf) provides courts with information relating to use of these devices in the courthouse, including an overview of court policies and issues that courts should consider addressing in their local policies. Decisions about how these devices can be used are made on a court-by-court basis. This guidance updates guidance last provided in 2010. It does not impact the Judicial Conference’s prohibition on recording, photographing or broadcasting district court proceedings. The 26-member Judicial Conference is the policy-making body for the federal court system. By statute, the Chief Justice of the United States serves as its presiding officer and its members are the chief judges of the 13 courts of appeals, a district judge from each of the 12 geographic circuits, and the chief judge of the Court of International Trade. The Conference meets twice a year to consider administrative and policy issues affecting the court system, and to make recommendations to Congress concerning legislation involving the Judicial Branch.”