Jury Duty and the EVO!

**Gekko** · 06-13-2010, 12:13 PM

so i have jury duty this week. what do i do with the EVO?

no camera phones allowed in the courthouse.

PLEASE SEE THE POLL.

**LegalAdmin** · 06-13-2010, 12:14 PM

Not sure what you're talking about. Buy two extra batteries?

**MikeBinOK** · 06-13-2010, 12:19 PM

I had never thought about how the rules prohibiting cameras in many courtrooms would apply to smart phones. I'd call the Bailiff (or the contact number listed on your summons to jury duty) and ask.

I'd guess there is a fair chance you'll spend some time waiting to be called....Possibly inside a building with poor 3G (we won't even talk about 4G) reception (and that sucks the battery anyway). I'd have some good time killers loaded that don't require web access or sound. An ebook reader and a book or two that appeal to you would be a good option if you are a reader. Taking a spare battery isn't a bad idea, actually.

**Gekko** · 06-13-2010, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by The Hooded Claw

I had never thought about how the rules prohibiting cameras in many courtrooms would apply to smart phones. I'd call the Bailiff (or the contact number listed on your summons to jury duty) and ask.

I'd guess there is a fair chance you'll spend some time waiting to be called....Possibly inside a building with poor 3G (we won't even talk about 4G) reception (and that sucks the battery anyway). I'd have some good time killers loaded that don't require web access or sound. An ebook reader and a book or two that appeal to you would be a good option if you are a reader. Taking a spare battery isn't a bad idea, actually.

cameras are prohibited and i assume camera phones are prohibited too.

my phone is naked and i don't really want to give it to Uncle Otis the security guard who will toss around the 4.3" glass display phone like it's a baseball.

i also don't want to leave the phone in the car all day in the summer heat.

**jds** · 06-13-2010, 12:31 PM

just give it to otis he'll probably play with it though and show it off to all his buddies

**vicw926a4** · 06-13-2010, 12:38 PM

Send it to me for safekeeping while you are on jury duty. I can't buy one until mid-July, so get on a long trial

**Yourdogsdead** · 06-13-2010, 12:39 PM

Leave it with the security guard. Lock your phone with a pin or something though.

**VKitty** · 06-13-2010, 12:51 PM

Get another phone that is not a camera phone, and us that one. Or bring a portable game system.

I would not want to give it anyone I would be to worried the whole time. What happens when you get sequestered?

**dwightshrute** · 06-13-2010, 01:27 PM

Tell them that you live in another county and have been for the past two years and that its a mistake. I for one would NOT be without Georgia, I mean my EVO!

**imtravis** · 06-13-2010, 01:31 PM

I've had to leave my phone with the secuirty guard, and I've usually just lock it with a PIN, and since they can't get in, they leave it alone. oh yeah, and turn it off when you hand it over.

**ddunn** · 06-13-2010, 02:23 PM

Find some kind of case that hides the camera lens, check it in the the tray though security and leave it in your pocket.

**omgitsjordan** · 06-13-2010, 02:31 PM

i've never had a problem with taking my smart phone with a camera in, just put it on silent or airplane mode when your in the courtroom. it might be a long wait and you'll be bored! i spent hours on mine

**Edge767** · 06-13-2010, 02:34 PM

I'm glad the court-houses in Harris County in Texas don't make you leave your phones at home or in the car. I have taken smartphones into every jury duty I've ever been called into.

**RedhddOne** · 06-13-2010, 02:35 PM

If your courthouse is anything like mine...

Take it with you because there will be quite a bit of time you're sitting around with your thumb up your... well you get that idea...

Give it to the security guard before they make you go into the courtroom (and mine makes you turn it off before you hand it to them) I'd also make sure you have a lock in place as well just for "protection".

I've never had any problems (and I've been on jury duty 3 times in my life already) and it gives you something to do while you wait (bring headsets so you can watch videos!).

**Paladin** · 06-13-2010, 03:08 PM

Were you just called to see if you would be on the jury or are you already selected?

If you will just be waiting around to see if you are choosen you probably will be allowed to keep it.

I think they just don't want them in the courtroom itself while a trial is going on. I had my smartphone with me while I was just waiting around. Some had laptops with them.

Of course every location is different.

**gksmithlcw** · 06-13-2010, 03:13 PM

My wife had no problems taking in her Pre when she had jury duty here in Marion County, Indiana.

**omgitsjordan** · 06-13-2010, 03:58 PM

yea i would just take it with you and keep it on silent or airplane mode, i wouldnt even leave it with the security guard

**jhamilton3#CB** · 06-13-2010, 04:46 PM

Definitely just leave it home.. You never know what mood Uncle Otis will be in when he handles your phone.

**VKitty** · 06-13-2010, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by omgitsjordan

yea i would just take it with you and keep it on silent or airplane mode, i wouldnt even leave it with the security guard

What happens when he takes it with him, and they tell him he can not have it?

My courthouse will tell you to leave it in your car as a camera/camera phone is not allowed inside, and you wont even make it pass security with it.

**EVO Navian** · 06-13-2010, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Gekko

so i have jury duty this week. what do i do with the EVO?

no camera phones allowed in the courthouse.

PLEASE SEE THE POLL.

When I went for my jury duty, cell phones and laptops were allowed in the juror waiting room, but was required to be shut off if you were called in. Worse case scenario is if they tell you during security check in that it is not allowed at all in the building, you can leave it in your car.

The courthouse my husband had jury duty allowed phones in the waiting room, but not laptops. It's different for each courthouse. Mine had wifi for the jurors waiting

----

I wanted to add, try calling the office and see what they say. The weather where I'm at is unpredictable this season - sometimes hot, other days rainy and cold. If it's a hot jury day I'd keep it at home like some folks have suggested

**srkmagnus** · 06-13-2010, 06:37 PM

I was on a jury panel for two weeks and we were allowed to keep phones with us (off or on silent) and laptops in the deliberation room for use on breaks.

The Social Security office required that cell phones be turned off - for obvious reasons.

Call ahead and see what the court policy is on cell phones. otherwise, leave it in the car, it will be ok.

**Eguy** · 06-13-2010, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by imtravis

I've had to leave my phone with the secuirty guard, and I've usually just lock it with a PIN, and since they can't get in, they leave it alone. oh yeah, and turn it off when you hand it over.

I do the same.

**Buckeyes** · 06-13-2010, 06:59 PM

For what it's worth, I am a bailiff in Hillsborough County, Florida, which is Tampa. You are allowed to bring cellphones into the courthouse. All we ask is that they be placed on silent or vibrate while in the courthouse. If you are in fact picked for a jury, you can keep them with you throughout the trial until you go back to deliberate. At that point, you will leave them in the courtroom until you are finished in the jury room. As others have stated, check with your local courts to see what they allow. Good luck.

**mmcnamara43** · 06-13-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by dwightshrute

Tell them that you live in another county and have been for the past two years and that its a mistake. I for one would NOT be without Georgia, I mean my EVO!

Ummm Did you name your EVO? I Find That To be Funny Cant Wait Til I Get Mine. I Think I'll Name Her Lula...

**Gekko** · 06-13-2010, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by Eguy

I do the same.

i'm not so worried about them snooping into the phone since it'll be on security lock. what i'm worried about them is banging it around in some metal security cage or worse yet dropping it while handling it while i'm gone. especially since it's naked with no case at the moment. stranger things have happened. these public servants can be brutal!

i hate being without a phone all day but i may just leave it home.