iPhone in the Courthouse: UPDATE

[jlwillia]

That's interesting. Couldn't a phone be considered a recording device? In fact, isn't that its main purpose? I find the outcome of this scenerio quite ironic. I'm glad it worked out for you though.

 

[AJsAWiz]

**UPDATE**

I am in the Civil Court of the city of NY WITH my iPhone! Yep.

I called first, and the lady on the phone said they'd have to hold it because it has a camera. So i bought a cash box with a lock from Office Depot, prepared to lock up my iPhone.

To my pleasant surprise, when I got to the security check, they let me in without question (iPhone AND MBP). Their concern was that I didn't have "recording devices."

So I don't know what the rules are elsewhere, but here in NYC at this particular court, small claims at Centre Street, I am able to keep my iPhone with me.

The wait is nothing now. If I can stand in line for an iPhone, I can certainly hang out and surf the web in court

Why didn't you just lock the iPhone in your car (glovebox or trunk) before going into the court house as opposed to buying a locked box and leaving it with strangers?
Just curious

 

[AJsAWiz]

been in a court a few times (divorce), to start with they wanted ALL phones checked in, this relaxed to camera phones, which they WILL find at the security sweep, other phones had to be off in te court rooms but were fine in the corridors.

this appears to have now changed to any phone is ok, but off in the court rooms themselves. there are signs about no photographs, apparently its an offense of some sort, probably some sort of 'security' offense, along with everything else these days.

I guess when a phone with a camera was a novelty taking them off you worked, but now just about everyone has one its probably too much hassle for them to bother with. plus I dare say it was pointed out that if they took your phone.. hey had some liability to give it back...

Congratulations! I think
I took my phone (with camera) into divorce court with no problem.
Guess it depends on where you live.

 

[nikhsub1]

Why didn't you just lock the iPhone in your car (glovebox or trunk) before going into the court house as opposed to buying a locked box and leaving it with strangers?
Just curious

ROFL? Reading comprehension, ever heard of it? She said perhaps 3 times that she does NOT HAVE A CAR.

 

[AJsAWiz]

ROFL? Reading comprehension, ever heard of it? She said perhaps 3 times that she does NOT HAVE A CAR.

Just because one doesn't own a car it doesn't mean they never ride in one
Not all "non car owners" walk or take the bus to get around.

My Reading skills are fine . . . Thinking/Cognitive skills are intact as well . . . . not sure about someone else's though ; )

 

[sbrownla]

**UPDATE**

I am in the Civil Court of the city of NY WITH my iPhone! Yep....

To my pleasant surprise, when I got to the security check, they let me in without question (iPhone AND MBP). Their concern was that I didn't have "recording devices."

That's awesome, and hilarious. The device's limitations, i.e., not having a video recorder and voice memo recorder, allowed you the pleasure of bringing it with you.

I work at a superior court, but security allow phones and whatever inside, no problems, no questions asked.