46 people jailed for mobile ringtone

[layoneil]

Do people just randomly go to court hearings? I've always wondered that >_>

i don't think so.

[Intense]

I work in a courthouse. Youre allowed to have a mobile phone, but it cannot have a camera on it. Ive never asked why they have that specific regulation. Employees/attorneys are allowed to bring in theres though. This basically rules out just about every phone on the market these days, but those are California state rules. Inside the actual courtroom, youre obviously not supposed to have it turned on to ring or answer it while court is in session.

I wouldnt call it necessarily an "abuse of power," just because of the weight that phrase carries, but it is a little bit silly.

EDIT:

Do people just randomly go to court hearings? I've always wondered that >_>

Where I work, only related peoples to a case are admitted. Its a courthouse designated for juvenile matters. i.e. juvenile delinquency (criminal), juvenile mental health, adoptions, child protective services cases, etc.

There is a big sign on the front window stating that only defendents, legal guardians, victims and witnesses are allowed in. The deputies enforce it pretty strictly.

[Skyylya]

Should be noted that this judge wrongly abused his power and was removed from his office as judge because of this incident.

[Charla]

About 70 defendants were in the courtroom that day to take part in a monitoring program for domestic violence offenders.

So I think all 46 of them were defendants.

[Edgie]

Last I check u can have your celly in court, just not on... but if it has a camera it gets confiscated... no pictures in court rooms.

[Khamsin]

Last I check u can have your celly in court, just not on... but if it has a camera it gets confiscated... no pictures in court rooms.

Next we'll hear about how the Court TV cameramen and members of the press get held on account of taking pictures and video in the courtroom.

[Jodwahh]

Last I check u can have your celly in court, just not on... but if it has a camera it gets confiscated... no pictures in court rooms.

True in the UK at least, we have the people who sit in courtrooms and do these funky sketches with pastels.

[Turambar]

Am I the only one who thinks the judge was perfectly within his rights? As trite as the phrase has become, court is serious business. Even if cell phones aren't prohibited, they should damn well be turned off while you're there. All of them lying about it didn't help matters. In all likelihood, if the culprit had just fessed up the judge would have given a short lecture and sent everyone on their way.

[Intense]

Well honestly, hearing about this didnt suprise me at all. Judges here will throw defendents in contempt for not having their shirts tucked in. I think this particular judge is apologizing simply because it made the news. Ive heard and seen judges going on far worse tirades than this; theyre generally very protective of their courtrooms.

I asked a deputy yesterday about the no camera phone rule and he told me that the general public isnt allowed to bring "recording devices" into the courtroom. A camera phone typically has a video camera included, and theyre not supposed to be able to record what happens in court. I immediately thought "what about voice memo recorders that are on most phones?" but didnt feel like starting a debate about something so stupid.

[Khamsin]

Well honestly, hearing about this didnt suprise me at all. Judges here will throw defendents in contempt for not having their shirts tucked in. I think this particular judge is apologizing simply because it made the news. Ive heard and seen judges going on far worse tirades than this; theyre generally very protective of their courtrooms.

I asked a deputy yesterday about the no camera phone rule and he told me that the general public isnt allowed to bring "recording devices" into the courtroom. A camera phone typically has a video camera included, and theyre not supposed to be able to record what happens in court. I immediately thought "what about voice memo recorders that are on most phones?" but didnt feel like starting a debate about something so stupid.

Are they as harsh on the plaintiff as well, or just the defendants?

[Intense]

Generally just pick on the defendents. The plantiffs are "victims" and usually accomidated. Plus the age old stereotype of judges favoring the prosecution to the defense, which is actually a true one.

[Khamsin]

What about in gray-area cases where the plaintiff might technically have a case and be the "victim", but morally there's sympathy for the defendant? For example, somebody breaks into your house and injures himself, and sues you and wins.

[Intense]

I really have no idea; thats Civil court.

I work in Criminal; Im speaking strictly from a criminal court POV.