Md. changes cell rules, phones can go in courthouses
Friday - 12/31/2010, 8:50am ET
Visitors to Maryland's courthouses now have something to phone home about.
Under a new state policy that takes effect Saturday, people may enter court buildings with cell phones equipped with cameras and other electronic devices such as laptop computers, the Maryland Judiciary announced in a news release this week.
But the convenience comes with a number of restrictions. People must abide by all rules to the letter of the law or risk having their property confiscated. Violations of the rules could also lead be charged with contempt of court.
In Frederick County courtrooms:
- All electronic devices must be turned off and out of view.
- Phone calls, text messaging, photography, and audio and video recording are prohibited.
- People and their property may be searched.
Visitors to the Frederick County Courthouse have enjoyed the newfound privilege for about a month, court officials said.
When sheriff's office Capt. Kirby Lee Maybush learned of the upcoming statewide change, he asked Circuit Judge G. Edward Dwyer Jr. if his courthouse deputies could implement the policy ahead of schedule.
"I figured, why wait? We're going to be doing it anyway," said Maybush, judicial operations commander for the sheriff's office, which has security jurisdiction over the courthouse boundaries.
Dwyer agreed with the suggestion, much to Maybush's delight. As administrative judge of Circuit Court proceedings, Dwyer establishes protocol for the Frederick County Courthouse.
The change saves deputies and visitors from a lot of aggravation, Maybush said.
During the first 11 months of this year, deputies posted at the courthouse doors had to turn 10,560 people away to find safekeeping for their cell phones equipped with cameras.
Since allowing such devices into the building, Maybush and his deputies have been thrilled with the public's compliance with the rules.
Temporary signs explaining the new policy have been posted outside the courthouse and its courtrooms. Permanent signs will be coming.
"We've had one problem, and even that wasn't a big deal," Maybush said. A young person was playing a game in a courtroom, not realizing it wasn't allowed. He put the device away as soon as deputies made him aware of the rule. Problem solved, and the device was not confiscated.
"We've had great cooperation from the public," Maybush said. "People want to cooperate with us ... they are so glad they don't have to take their phones back to their cars."
Copyright 2010 The Frederick News-Post. All rights reserved.
