Cell Phones could be banned from Missouri's courtrooms
Posted: 12.29.2012 at 1:21 PM
A ban on cell phones could be coming to Missouri's courtrooms very soon.
Photo

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI -- We've all heard the debate about cameras in our courtrooms; well with the advances in technology, cell phones are now apart of that conversation.

Some judges are questioning if the devices need to be banned entirely from courtrooms all-together.

Cameras are off limits in most courtrooms, but decisions on whether to allow cell phones are generally left up to judges.

One of the main concerns about courtroom photography is that jurors or witnesses in criminal cases could be publicly identified, opening them up to threats or intimidation.

The Associated Press reports that several cases that were being held in Missouri, actually had people take pictures with their cell phones in the courtrooms; and that did not sit well with the judges hearing those cases.

The courts say that it might be time to reconsider a ban on cell phones in courtrooms, if not entire courthouses to resolve the problem.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.