# 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1: Unlawful use of an audio or video device in court

> Pennsylvania · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5103.1

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1
- **Heading:** Unlawful use of an audio or video device in court
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Pennsylvania Code / Title 18 / Chapter 51 / Section 5103.1

## Text

(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.

## Nearby sections

- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5101 Obstructing administration of law or other governmental function.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5101.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5102 Obstructing or impeding the administration of justice by picketing, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5102.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5103 Unlawfully listening into deliberations of jury.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5103.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5103.1 Unlawful use of an audio or video device in court.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5103.1.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5104 Resisting arrest or other law enforcement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5104.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5104.1 Disarming law enforcement officer.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5104.1.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5104.2 Evading arrest or detention on foot.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5104.2.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5104.3 Harming a police animal while evading arrest or detention.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5104.3.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5105 Hindering apprehension or prosecution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5105.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5106 Failure to report injuries by firearm or criminal act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5106.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5107 Aiding consummation of crime.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5107.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5108 Compounding.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5108.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5109 Barratry.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5109.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5110 Contempt of General Assembly.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5110.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C51_S5103.1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.