« Ind. Law - Lake election board reversed by court on party-change issue | Main | Law - Katrina Flood Victims Lose Insurance Appeal [More] »
Friday, August 03, 2007
Ind. Courts - Porter County Courthouse cell phone ban begins
From a story by Diane Krieger Spivak in the Gary Post-Tribune:
VALPARAISO -- The cell phone ban at Porter County's courthouses has gone relatively smoothly. So far.Here is a list of some earlier ILB entries on Indiana courthouse cell phone bans."There were no problems," Porter Superior Court Judge David Chidester said Thursday.
The ban went into effect on Wednesday.
Chidester was instrumental in getting the ban placed on the books, after the Porter County Sheriff's Department reported information that weapons, including guns, have been disguised as cell phones and laptop computers.
Security guards at the Valparaiso courthouse said things went smoothly the first day but were concerned about this morning, since criminal calls on Fridays bring hundreds of people into the building.
Security in the Portage Courthouse reported the same as Valparaiso.
"We've had no problems," Porter County Sheriff Officer Larry Widener said. "A few people gave us a funny look and asked how come, but nobody was yelling at us. They just didn't like having to walk back to the parking lot."
The phones not only have the potential to be dangerous, but already have proven to be an interrupting annoyance when they've gone off in the courtroom.
Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper said one such instance took place in her full courtroom the day before the ban went into effect.
Harper was in midsentence when, she said, she heard a click, then a recorded ring tone saying, "What's up?"
The bailiff and a security guard confiscated the phone and gave it back to the owner later.
"It's a huge annoyance," Harper said.
"If an individual would do that today, they'd be found in contempt of court," Harper said.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 3, 2007 11:08 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts