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Attorney Wireless Access

Wireless Access Policy

Wireless access to the internet in the Cedar Rapids courtrooms and Sioux City courtrooms is provided to attorneys and staff.  Wireless access may be acquired in other areas of the Cedar Rapids courthouse and Sioux City courthouse, but it is not guaranteed.  When accessing the court’s wireless network, attorneys and staff must comply with Administrative Order 17-AO-0008-P and Local Rule 83C.  The presiding judge may exercise his or her discretion regarding the use of wireless access in any proceeding.  

 

Restrictions

  • The use of wireless communications and associated technology involves security, privacy, and confidentiality risks, and the court makes no assurances or warranties relating to such risks when a user relies on the court’s wireless network to access the internet.
  • The court’s wireless network must be used safely and productively and not in any way that could compromise the interests of the judiciary.
  • No confidential information should be transmitted via the court’s wireless network. 
  • A user accessing, displaying, disseminating, or receiving information via the court’s wireless network is solely responsible for such information.
  • Broadcasting or recording judicial proceedings is prohibited.
  • Printing is not available via the court’s wireless network.
  • Court personnel will use government devices to verify that the wireless network is functioning properly. However, court personnel will not provide any other technical support under any circumstance to any user trying to access the court’s wireless network.  Aside from providing login and password information and verifying the current operational status of the system, court personnel are prohibited from providing technical support and handling a user’s personal device.
  • The court does not guarantee that wireless access to the internet over the court’s wireless network will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components. Internet access at designated areas is provided only as a courtesy and may not always be available.  In the event the court’s wireless network is unavailable, alternate arrangements must be made by the user.
  • Questions about security, support, or related services and whether or how a user should use the service should be directed to a professional familiar with the user’s hardware, software, and use policies.  Court personnel cannot provide any assistance regarding such matters.
  • A user agrees that the court will not be liable for any costs or damages, special, incidental, or consequential, arising from the use of the court’s wireless network.
  • The court is not responsible for any materials, information, products, or services on the internet.  Likewise, the court does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity, or quality of any communication made over the court’s wireless network.
  • The court reserves the right to deny or restrict access to any user who abuses the network, such as by excessive bandwidth consumption or by using the network for any type of activity or purpose deemed by the court to be unlawful, harassing, abusive, criminal, or fraudulent.  The court also reserves the right to monitor, intercept, and disclose any transmission that occurred on the court’s wireless network and to provide user information, or use records, and other related information to appropriate authorities.
  • A user agrees that the court may monitor, access, preserve, and disclose the court’s wireless network information if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that such preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with legal process or to protect the rights and/or property of the court or the public.
  • To ensure the integrity of the court’s wireless network, the court reserves the right to maintain, monitor, alter, manage, or terminate wireless access and to modify the restrictions for any reason without notice.  The court also reserves the right to restrict use of the court’s wireless network to the litigants appearing before the court when necessary and to block data transmissions to protect the court or the public.

 

Requirements

Instructions for connecting to the court’s wireless network will be posted at each attorney table.

The user must ensure that the user’s personal device has wireless network capability. Because some wireless network card software may require additional procedures or setting changes to become functional, the user should consult the device’s user guide or contact the hardware or software provider for assistance.  The court will not provide equipment, and it will not delay any proceedings due to technical difficulties or failures. 

Due to the unrestricted nature of this wireless service, the court’s wireless network should not be considered secure.  Anyone relying on the court’s wireless network should take the necessary precautions to ensure that the device being used to access the court’s wireless network is protected from network snoops and hackers.

Some recommended precautionary measures include but are not limited to the following: installing the latest software patches for the wireless device; using updated anti-virus software; using a personal firewall; and using VPN software to securely communicate sensitive information.

The usual security cautions and concerns regarding e-mail attachments and downloaded material apply. Any internet access obtained in the courtroom must be in support of the court case or business at hand.  The sound and photo recording features of the user’s personal device must be turned off while in the courthouse.