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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5103.1 (2026)

 Unlawful use of an audio or video device in court.

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§ 5103.1.  Unlawful use of an audio or video device in court.

(a)  Offense defined.--A person commits an offense if the person in any manner and for any purpose uses or operates a device to capture, record, transmit or broadcast a photograph, video, motion picture or audio of a proceeding or person within a judicial facility or in an area adjacent to or immediately surrounding a judicial facility without the approval of the court or presiding judicial officer or except as provided by rules of court.

(b)  Grading.--

(1)  An offense under this section shall constitute a misdemeanor of the second degree.

(2)  A second or subsequent offense shall constitute a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(c)  Definition.--As used in this section, the term "judicial facility" means a courtroom, hearing room or judicial chambers used by the court to conduct trials or hearings or any other court-related business or any other room made available to interview witnesses. The term does not include the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building except for that portion of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building designated by the Court Administrator of Pennsylvania, under the authority of the Supreme Court, as a judicial facility.

(Oct. 24, 2018, P.L.658, No.94, eff. 60 days)

 

2018 Amendment.  Act 94 added section 5103.1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 2019–2026 · leading case: Com. v. Leschinskie, J., Jr., 2024 PA Super 310.
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Com. v. Leschinskie, J., Jr., 2024 PA Super 310. · cites it 5× “1 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1(a). J-S19035-24 recorded testimony at a summary trial on his cell phone.”
U. Maggitti v. Commonwealth of PA, No. 25 M.D. 2024 (Pa. Commw. Ct. June 23, 2025). · cites it 2× “18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5103.1, 9112. Petitioner also seeks a permanent statewide injunction preventing Respondents from continuing all judicial proceedings involving the alleged unconstitutional statutes.”
Com. v. Maggitti, U., No. 2859 EDA 2024 (Pa. Super. Ct. Sept. 16, 2025). · cites it 2× “: FILED SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 Appellant, Urve Maggitti, appeals from the July 18, 2024 judgment of sentence of one year of supervisory probation entered in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas following her conviction by a jury of Unlawful Use of an Audio or Video Device in…”
In re Amendment of Rule 1910 of the Rules of Jud. Admin., No. 522 Judicial Administration 2019 (Pa. Oct. 8, 2019). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1 (relating to unlawful use of an audio or video device in court).”
In re Amendment of Rule 1910 of the Rules of Jud. Admin., No. 522 Judicial Administration 2019 (Pa. Oct. 9, 2019). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1 (relating to unlawful use of an audio or video device in court).”
U. Maggitti v. Hon. J.P. Capuzzi, Sr., 328 A.3d 97 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024). “1(a) of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1(a). According to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas docket entries, the criminal case has been adjudicated.”
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Urve Maggitti, No. 24-1702 (3d Cir. Mar. 20, 2025). “1 On June 15, 2023, Maggitti was arraigned in the Chester County Court of Com- mon Pleas and charged with one count of Unlawful Use of an Audio or Video Device in Court under 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5103.1 . On April 10, 2024, she filed a notice of removal in the Eastern District…”
U. Maggitti v. Hon. M.G. Goch, 358 A.3d 186 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2026). “3 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1(a). 2 himself on February 28, 2023.”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5103.1(a): 5 cases
Com. v. Leschinskie, J., Jr., 2024 PA Super 310. “1 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1(a). J-S19035-24 recorded testimony at a summary trial on his cell phone.”
Com. v. Maggitti, U., No. 2859 EDA 2024 (Pa. Super. Ct. Sept. 16, 2025). “: FILED SEPTEMBER 16, 2025 Appellant, Urve Maggitti, appeals from the July 18, 2024 judgment of sentence of one year of supervisory probation entered in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas following her conviction by a jury of Unlawful Use of an Audio or Video Device in…”
U. Maggitti v. Hon. J.P. Capuzzi, Sr., 328 A.3d 97 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2024). “1(a) of the Crimes Code, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1(a). According to the Chester County Court of Common Pleas docket entries, the criminal case has been adjudicated.”
U. Maggitti v. Commonwealth of PA, No. 25 M.D. 2024 (Pa. Commw. Ct. June 23, 2025). “18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5103.1, 9112. Petitioner also seeks a permanent statewide injunction preventing Respondents from continuing all judicial proceedings involving the alleged unconstitutional statutes.”
U. Maggitti v. Hon. M.G. Goch, 358 A.3d 186 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2026). “3 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1(a). 2 himself on February 28, 2023.”
18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5103.1(c): 1 case
Com. v. Leschinskie, J., Jr., 2024 PA Super 310. “1 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1(a). J-S19035-24 recorded testimony at a summary trial on his cell phone.”
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