No electronics in courtrooms

Effective immediately, the possession or use of any portable electronic device is prohibited in all courtrooms in the Escambia County (Ala.) Courthouse in Brewton.

Presiding Circuit Judge Todd Stearns signed the order on Jan. 10.

Stearns noted his order "Is the direct result of repeated and increasingly frequent acts that have interfered with the operations of the court.

His order identifies portable electronic devices as cell phones; any device capable of taking a digital or actual photograph; any device capable of filming or recording audio or video; and any device capable of transmitting an audio telephone conversation, audio communication, text message, email, message over a digital application or information by other means.

Judge Stearns stated in his order that violations will subject the offender to forfeiture of the device, removal from the courthouse, arrest, criminal contempt proceedings and/or fines and penalties by law.

Judge Stearns did note that the order forbidding taking photographs, filming, taking video and taking audio recordings may be waived in limited circumstances by the presiding judge.

It is also noted that order does not apply to court personnel and others who are authorized by the presiding judge.

Judge Stearns said there have been several incidents that prompted him to issue the order banning electronic devices, which also included a mistrial when a juror was using an electronic device to do their own research after being told they were not supposed to do so.

"We've had problems with cell phones going off in the courtroom," Judge Stearns said. "We had a person recording without permission and even a lawyer recording on a laptop without permission."

Judge Stearns said signs will be posted outside the county's three courtrooms telling people not to bring electronic devices.

"We are getting in line with most courthouses," Judge Stearns said. "We can't ban cell phones and other electronic devices in the courthouse, but we can in the courtrooms."

Judge Stearns also noted if someone is caught with an electronic device before entering the courtroom they will be required to take the device back to their vehicle.

"If you are headed to a courtroom, leave your phone in your vehicle," Judge Stearns said.