Federal courthouse put on pause during RNC

TAMPA, Fla. -  Federal court officials say the courthouse in downtown Tampa will be closed during the Republican National Convention.

The Tampa Bay Times (http://bit.ly/O0d8S ) reports that district and magistrate judges working in the Orlando division of the U.S. District Court will be responsible for any Tampa matters requiring court proceedings, including matters resulting from the convention itself.

Cases in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tampa will also be halted for the week.

Starting Aug. 27, a deposit lockbox will be available on the first floor of the courthouse, beyond the metal detectors, allowing the delivery of paperwork to the court.

The court is encouraging the public to either mail paperwork or use the court's electronic filing system.

The courthouse will resume normal operations on Sept. 4.