What's a court visitor to do with a banned cellphone? Storage lockers are being eliminated
Concerned about potential harassment of prosecutors, witnesses and others, Cook County’s chief circuit judge banned cellphones three years ago.
Although exceptions apply to judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and others, the general public can’t bring phones and other electronic devices capable of sending photos over the Internet into Chicago area courthouses.
That wasn’t a major problem for those who didn’t get the memo, because there were lockers at many courthouses including the county’s main criminal courthouse at 26th Street and California Avenue. But now county officials are planning to eliminate lockers, which both cost money and pose a security risk by providing storage for contraband that is potentially dangerous, according to WLS.
“At the Leighton Criminal Court Building, my particular concern is that people who are relying on the county’s storage lockers won’t be able to clear security and will miss court if they bring a smartphone,” Evans told the station.
The storage lockers are to be eliminated by April 2, reports DNA Info (sub. req.).
Related coverage:
ABA Journal: “Witness harassment has gone digital, and the justice system is playing catch-up”