A Michigan judge whose smartphone disrupted a hearing in his own court has held himself in contempt and paid $25 for the infraction.
Judge Raymond Voet has a posted policy at Ionia County 64A District Court stating that electronic devices causing a disturbance during court sessions will result in the owner being cited with contempt.
On Friday afternoon, amid a prosecutor's closing argument during a jury trial, Voet's new smartphone began to ask for voice commands, however. An embarrassed Voet says he thinks he tapped the phone accidentally, but nonetheless during a break in the trial, he fined himself. Voet says if he can't live by the rules he enforces he has no business enforcing the rules.
In the UK, however, laws are rather different. Tweets and text messages can be sent from courtrooms after the country's most senior judge approved the use of digital communication technology.
Reporters, bloggers and members of the public are even able to sit in courts and surf the internet on their laptops for the first time - so long as they are quiet.
Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, issued guidance allowing modern technology in the country's courts despite concerns that it could put some criminal trials at risk.
Despite his consent, however, use of Twitter and other digital technology still requires the approval of the relevant judge in each case.
They reserve the right to refuse if there are concerns over justice and a fair trial and judges may also decide to restrict its use to reporters and not those in the public gallery.
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