June 1, 2022 update: The jury's verdict in the Depp v. Heard case will be read in court at 3 p.m. today.
The courthouse opens at 7 a.m. as does the public parking garage. All visitors to the courthouse must go through a security screening procedure. Please note that certain items are prohibited in the courthouse. These include, but are not limited to guns, knives, ammunition, pepper spray, mace, razor blades, illegal drugs and dangerous or hazardous material that could be used to harm another person. For the security screening, visitors should empty their pockets and place contents in the container provided. Place purses, briefcases, backpacks and parcels on the X-ray machine for scanning. Walk through the metal detector. If the X-ray or metal detector sets off an alert or alarm, a court security officer may perform another scan, using a hand wand. The security officer may also ask permission to conduct a physical search of the person and personal articles to determine the cause of the alert or alarm. Before proceeding from the security screening area, visitors should retrieve all of their personal possessions.
All spectators must be prepared to show a photo ID to get a wristband and to enter the courtroom.
All video coverage will come through two Court TV pool cameras.
Public Gatherings/Assembly
Designated areas will be identified to allow for safe and peaceful public assembly on the judicial complex. A special permit is not required for public gatherings. However, the Sheriff’s Office will ensure that gatherings are held peacefully and in compliance with the law. Persons are prohibited from obstructing pedestrians or vehicles on the judicial complex and/or the ingress and egress of visitors and employees to the courthouse. The chief judge will not allow overnight camping on the courthouse grounds.
Media
The Sheriff’s Office court security team will manage onsite media coverage throughout the trial. Media cameras and equipment will be permitted on the grassy areas in front of the courthouse and near the flagpoles on West Street, so long as they are not blocking public sidewalks to include the ingress/egress to the courthouse. Media will be provided a staging area for their vehicles in the surface lot at West Street and Page Avenue.
As with other spectators, media personnel are required to pass through the security screening checkpoints before entering the public areas of the courthouse. Chief Judge Azcarate authorized two video cameras in the courtroom to provide live feed media pool coverage in accordance with Virginia Code 19.2-266. Additionally, she will allow one stationary pool photographer in the courtroom for still photos. Except for the persons authorized to record, reserved seating will not be provided for any media in the courtroom.
