The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania will ban all smart and AI-integrated eyewear from its buildings starting next week to prevent potential witness and juror intimidation during proceedings.

Key points

• The ban takes effect Monday and applies to all First Judicial District courthouses, buildings, and offices.
• Prohibited devices include any prescription or non-prescription eyewear equipped with audio or video recording capabilities.
• Violators face potential removal from the premises, denied entry, or criminal contempt charges.
• Exceptions require prior written authorization from a judge or court leadership.
• Philadelphia joins court systems in Hawaii, Wisconsin, and North Carolina in explicitly restricting smart eyewear.

This policy reflects a growing judicial concern regarding the difficulty of detecting discreet recording technology in sensitive legal environments. As smart glasses from companies like Meta become more affordable and widely adopted, court systems are increasingly formalizing rules to protect the integrity of trials and participant privacy.