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United States v. Ali Saleh Kahlah Al-Marri
Criminal Case No. 09-10030
Media Information
Main Page | Docket | Exhibits | Attending the Proceedings | Information for the Media
Quick Links
>> Order regarding pretrial proceedings
>> Special guidelines for use of courthouse
>> Registration of media personnel
>> Media parking and staging


Pretrial Proceedings
PDF Copy of Order

The Court hereby orders the following procedures in connection with pretrial proceedings in the case of United States v. Al-Marri, 09-10030:
  • No electronic devices will be allowed in the courthouse, including cell phones, pagers, and laptops. Attorneys on the case will be allowed to bring laptops into the courtroom.
  • Law enforcement agents and attorneys on the case are permitted to bring cell phones and pagers into the courtroom, but they must turn them off before entering the courtroom.
  • Photographing and video or audio recording or transmission of court proceedings is prohibited.
  • Because of noise problems, no person is permitted to carry on conversations in the lobby outside the courtroom during pretrial hearings.
  • No beverages or food (other than water provided by the court at counsel table or the witness stand) are allowed in the courtroom.
  • No conversations or disruptive gestures are permitted in the courtroom. All spectators must be seated before proceedings begin.
  • During pretrial hearings, the first bench behind the bar on the right side of the aisle looking from the bench is reserved for the government legal team and security personnel. The first bench behind the bar on the left side of the aisle looking from the bench is reserved for the defendant’s legal team and security personnel.
  • During a pretrial hearing, if the Courtroom is crowded, one chair will be added at the end of the first two benches on both sides. These chairs are reserved for sketch artists.
  • Any individual entering the courtroom (excluding the Court’s staff, federal law enforcement agents, and attorneys representing both the government and the Defendant in this case) must provide photo identification and will be subject to secondary screening by the Marshals Service prior to entering the courtroom.
  • The second bench from the front on the right side of the courtroom as you enter the courtroom will be reserved for news organizations that have reporters assigned to the courthouse: Peoria Journal Star, Peoria Observer, Associated Press, Reuters, WHOI, WEEK, WMBD, and WCBU are allowed one reserved spot in this row.
  • Failure to comply with these rules will result in removal from the courtroom.
PLEASE NOTE: PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING OTHER CASES IN OTHER COURTROOMS ARE GOVERNED BY EXISTING LOCAL RULES.

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Special Guidelines Regarding Use of the Courthouse by Media
PDF Copy of Order

Special Guidelines Regarding Use Of The Peoria United States Courthouse By Media Personnel On Days When A Hearing In The Case Of U.S. V. Al-Marri, 09-10010, Is Scheduled
  • FOR THE PURPOSES OF protecting the freedom of the press by according media personnel the privilege of using an area designated by the U.S. Marshal Service to gather newsworthy information; and
  • FOR THE FURTHER PURPOSES OF protecting the public’s right of access to the courts as well as protecting the physical safety and security of members of the public, Courthouse employees, and media personnel who make use of the designated area at the Peoria United States Courthouse;
  • IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that a designated media area located outside the Main Street entrance to the Courthouse shall be determined, maintained, and supervised by the United States Marshals and Court Security Officers for use by media personnel consistent with appropriate decorum; and
  • IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that no member of the media may solicit or conduct any on- or off-camera interview for broadcast or publication within the courthouse. This includes leaving the designated media area to film, photograph, or interview people passing through the lobby area; and
  • IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that any members of the public or government personnel who assent to be interviewed by the media shall be positioned within the designated media area during such interviews; and
  • IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the United States Marshals and Court Security Officers are authorized to enforce the directives of this Special Order; any person found to have violated this Special Order may be in contempt of Court and expelled from the Courthouse until an order of the Chief Judge of this Court, upon petition, reinstating access to the Courthouse.
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Registration of Media Personnel
PDF Copy of Order

Registration of Media Personnel Desiring Privileges And Accommodations In The Peoria Courthouse Of The United States District Court For The Central District of Illinois For Pretrial And Trial In The Case Of U.S. V. Al-Marri, 09-10030
  • FOR THE PURPOSES OF protecting the freedom of the press and according appropriate privileges to the media to accommodate the unique needs of media personnel desiring to attend courtroom proceedings in cases of special interest to the media and the general public; and
  • FOR THE FURTHER PURPOSES OF protecting the rights of the general public to attend Courthouse proceedings that are open to the public;
  • IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Clerk of Court may provide privileges and accommodations to media personnel, including but not limited to reserved courtroom seating, and periodic updates regarding developments in the case. Such privilege and accommodation may be limited by space available and other limitations and restrictions.
  • IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in exchange for these special accommodations, the Clerk of Court may require advanced registration of all media personnel desiring privileges and accommodations; and
  • IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, as part of the registration process, the Clerk of Court may require proof of identification for media personnel desiring privileges and accommodations, and may require that such media personnel abide by the Orders, Guidelines, and Local Rules of the Court while in the Courthouse.
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Media Parking and Staging Area

Media parking: Refer to the website for future up-to-date instructions.

Media staging area: A media staging area will be set up on the south end of the courthouse (corner of Main and Monroe) by the flagpole. This area, adjacent to the main entrance to the courthouse, may be used for interviews, etc.

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