Video Visit Rules at Maricopa County Jail: What Can Get You Suspended and How to Appeal
Video visits can be a lifeline—but MCSO enforces strict rules. Here's what gets visits ended or accounts restricted, and what to do if you think a suspension was unfair.
All non-privileged video visits at Maricopa County Jail are monitored and recorded by MCSO. Treat every visit like it's being reviewed - because it can be. Keep the conversation and your on-screen behavior within the rules.
You need to be clearly identifiable on camera for the entire visit. MCSO requires both the inmate and visitor to remain visible and recognizable throughout. If either person can't be identified, the visit may be terminated - and additional restrictions could follow.
Stay fully dressed the entire time. MCSO's rule is straightforward: both visitors and inmates must remain properly clothed during the video visit. If you're unsure whether something counts as "proper," go more conservative. Once a visit is canceled, you can't get that time back.
To set up a remote video visit account, you must be at least 18. MCSO requires visitors to be 18 or older to have an approved MCSO/ViaPath "Friends and Family" account for remote video visitation.
Planning to have someone under 18 on the call? An adult must stay visible on-screen with them for the entire visit - not just at the start. If the adult steps away, the visit could be cut off.
Non-negotiable: Any nudity, self-stimulation, or signs of sexual activity - by visitor or inmate - can end the visit immediately. You could face a 30-day restriction and potentially be barred from future visits, even if staff don't see explicit genitalia or activity.
Don't try to capture the visit. MCSO prohibits taking photos or video recordings of inmates during video visitation. If you want to remember what was said, write down notes after the visit ends.
- Act within 14 days - If your public video visitation account is temporarily suspended and you believe it was placed in error, you have 14 days from when the suspension was placed to appeal.
- Submit the required FORM - MCSO requires you to submit the specified appeal FORM, and it must be filled out completely.
- Send a complete, on-time appeal - Forms received after 14 days, or forms missing required information, may not be answered.
- Know what an appeal does (and doesn’t) do - Filing an appeal doesn’t guarantee your suspension will be lifted; it triggers a review of relevant non-privileged communications to decide whether the suspension is warranted.
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