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Wireless Guidelines

The United States District and Bankruptcy Courts for the District of Columbia have initiated a Pilot Project which provides free wireless Internet access in public areas of the E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse and William B. Bryant Annex. The wireless network will be available during normal business hours. Wireless access in the courtrooms is not authorized unless approved by a U.S. District or Bankruptcy Judge.

Any use of Court-provided wireless Internet access must be in accordance with the Courts’ Wireless Network Service Agreement/Terms of Use. Patrons are expected to use these services in a legal, responsible, and considerate manner, consistent with the informational and research purposes for which it is provided.

In order to connect to the Courts’ wireless network, your device must have a WiFi-compatible network card installed (802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz) or (802.11a/n 5.0GHz). Access is provided in a limited number of public locations throughout the Courthouse (Cafeteria, Attorney Lounge, Jury Lounge, Bryant Annex Atrium, District/Bankruptcy public Intake/Files area). Your wireless card should detect the signal immediately (Note: Some wireless card software may require some additional procedures and/or setting changes. Please consult your user's manual, or contact your hardware or software provider for any additional assistance.) Once your device picks up the wireless signal, select the District/Bankruptcy Court wireless network:

SSID/Network Name = DCDUSCPUBLIC (Open Access)

Please note the following information and guidelines:

  • As with most public wireless Internet access, the Courts’ wireless connection is not secure and privacy cannot be protected. Any information being sent or received could potentially be intercepted by another wireless user. Wireless users should not transmit sensitive personal information (credit card numbers, passwords, etc.) while using this or any public wireless network.
  • Use of the Courts’ wireless connection is entirely at the users own risk. The Court is not responsible for any loss, injury, or damages resulting from the use of the wireless connection.
  • Patrons should be familiar with their own personal wireless devices and should have basic knowledge of how to connect their own devices to a wireless network. Court staff cannot provide technical assistance with personal devices or configurations and cannot guarantee that the user will be able to make a wireless connection.
  • Bring a FULLY CHARGED battery and prepare to be self-powered, as electrical outlets are not readily available in the public areas.
  • Electrical cords MAY NOT be strung across public traffic areas. Patrons will be asked to terminate their use of electrical power if court personnel determine that such use presents a safety hazard.
  • Use of the Courthouse electrical power is entirely at users own risk. The Court is not responsible for any loss, injury, or damages resulting from the use of the Courthouse electrical power. Users may not tamper with Courthouse electrical equipment or wiring.
  • Personal headphones are required for use with audio files.
  • Printing is not available via the wireless network.