Ventura — 18.12 AMENDED - March 10, 2026 - In Re: Use of Cameras in the Courthouse

Source: https://ventura.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/amended-18-12_general-order-use-cameras-courthouse_03-10-2026.pdf

Sparse pages use OCR; original PDF remains authoritative.

m W DN a HD w 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 VENTURA SUPERIOR COURT FILED MAR 10 2026 K, BIEKER Cres ov isibulan hOX vay SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF VENTURA In re: USE OF CAMERAS IN THE COURTHOUSE AMENDED GENERAL ORDER No. 18.12 No one except authorized court and court security personnel may engage in photographing, recording, or broadcasting, or activate any camera, microphone, recorder or broadcasting device in any courtroom, courthouse or court facility in the county where the Court conducts business, including the full entry security screening areas, lobby, courtrooms, judges’ chambers, clerk’s offices, court offices and the hallways adjacent to these areas, except as permitted by Ventura County Superior Court Local Rules, rule 26.00, and California Rules of Court, rule 1.150, or as permitted by this order or other order of ajudicial officer, as set forth herein. Court facilities do not include offices occupied by non- court agencies, including the District Attorney’s Office and Victim Services Division, the Public Defender’s Office or the County Law Library. For purposes of this order, the following definitions apply: Camera - Any device that has a primary function of recording images and is not part of a multifunction device such as a smartphone. Wearable Electronic Device and Wearable Camera - Any miniature electronic device that is worn under, with, or on top of clothing and having a primary purpose of image capture or recording (such as Google Glass, Go Pro Cameras, Lapel Pin cameras). Personal Electronic Device - Any device capable of communicating, transmitting, receiving, or recording messages, images, sounds, data, or other USE OF CAMERAS IN THE COURTHOUSE Amended General Order 18.12 1

10 11 12 3 14 15 16 slat 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 information by any means including but not limited to a computer, tablet, cell phone, or blue-tooth device. This order applies to the use of any and all Cameras, Wearable Electronic Devices and Wearable Cameras and Personal Electronic Devices as defined above. No person shall bring into any courthouse a Camera, Wearable Electronic Device, or Wearable Camera as defined above, nor may any person operate a Camera or Personal Electronic Device in violation of Ventura County Superior Court Local Rule 26.00 and/or California Rules of Court, rule 1.150, except that authorized media representatives as defined by California Rules of Court, rule 1.150(b)(2), who possess a current and valid court order authorizing the possession and use of a Camera, Personal Electronic Device or Wearable Camera under California Rules of Court, rule 1.150 and/or Local Rule 26.00, may be permitted to enter the courthouse with a Camera, Personal Electronic Device or Wearable Camera for the purpose of media coverage. To establish whether a person is bringing a Camera, Personal Electronic Device or Wearable Camera into the courthouse for the purpose of media coverage, security personnel, including but not limited to the Ventura County Sheriff and private security contractors hired by the County of Ventura and/or the Ventura County Superior Court, must require the person to provide a current and valid press pass issued by a law enforcement agency or a press credential bearing the name and photograph of the person, as well as a copy of a current and valid court order authorizing the media coverage pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 1.150 and/or Ventura County Superior Court Local Rule 26.00. Personal Electronic Devices may be brought into a court facility, but may be used only in accordance with Local Rule 26.00. All electronic devices may be inspected by court security personnel. All persons entering any courthouse shall comply with Ventura County Superior Court, Local Rule 26.00.B. Consistent with Government Code section 68150, subdivision (1)(3)(A), this order does not prohibit the use of a portable scanner, Camera, Wearable Electronic Device and Wearable Camera, Personal Electronic Device, or other equipment for purposes of photographing or otherwise copying a court record as long as the Clerk is first informed of this intended purpose and such equipment does not make physical contact with the court record or damage it. To the extent that Local Rule 26.00 is inconsistent with this paragraph, it is superseded by this amended administrative order until such time USE OF CAMERAS IN THE COURTHOUSE Amended General Order 18.12 2

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 that Rule 26.00 can be amended consistent with Government Code section 68150, subdivision (1)(3)(A). The Court’s Records Department may have additional procedures applicable to the copying of court records through the use of a requester’s own equipment. This order is for the protection of the public, all parties, and court personnel, and to facilitate the fair and orderly resolution of cases. This order is subject to modification based upon specific circumstances and the discretion of an individual judicial officer in that judicial officer's courtroom, the Presiding Judge or the Assistant Presiding Judge in the event of the unavailability of the Presiding Judge and the supervising judge of the Juvenile Courthouse. A copy of this order shall be posted on the Court's website and shall be made reasonably available or posted near every security entry point into each court building, and other locations conducting court business. Violation of this order may result in seizure of the device and/or search as permitted by law. Further, any person who violates this order and/or Local Rule 26.00, may be subject to monetary sanctions under Code of Civil Procedure section 177.5, California Rules of Court, rule 1.150(f) and/or a finding of contempt under Code of Civil Procedure sections 128 and 1209 and/or arrest under Penal Code sections 166(a)(4), 166(a)(5), and 632. Any court staff, security personnel or peace officer who becomes aware that a person is using a device in violation of this order is directed to advise such individual orally of this order, and take steps to provide the person with a written copy of this order, as soon as practical and report the incident to Ventura County Sheriff Court Services. Ventura County Sheriff personnel or any other law enforcement officer who have reasonable cause to believe a violation of this order has occurred shall prepare an incident report, and, if the circumstances warrant immediate corrective action because the person persists in violating this order despite being informed of it, or has violated the order in a way that appears to have a significant adverse impact upon court security or the fair and orderly administration of justice, shall take possession of the device and bring the person without unnecessary delay to the courtroom judicial officer, supervising judge, Assistant Presiding Judge or Presiding Judge, as may be appropriate, to determine if there is sufficient cause to believe there has been a violation of this order without good cause or substantial justification. Such judicial officer may take such action or issue such orders to show cause regarding imposition of sanctions or contempt pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 128, 177.5, USE OF CAMERAS IN THE COURTHOUSE Amended General Order 18.12 3

YT Hn Oo & WW N Oo @ 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 and 1209 and/or California Rules of Court, rule 1.150(f), as may be appropriate. Effective immediately, this order shall remain in effect, until otherwise ordered by the Presiding Judge. General Order 18.12 is hereby amended, superseded and replaced by this order. GOOD CAUSE APPEARING THEREFOR, IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: March (0, 2026. 1, / An Matthew P. Guasco Presiding Judge Superior Court of California, County of Ventura USE OF CAMERAS IN THE COURTHOUSE Amended General Order 18.12 4