Bankruptcy

Lawyers Can Now Take Camera Phones In Federal Courthouses In Northern District Of Georgia

By Scott Riddle

The options for phones and Blackberries has expanded for lawyers in the Northern District.  The ban on camera phones has been lifted.  Getting the new iPhone is not completely pain free, however, because lawyers must be admitted to the Bar of the Northern District and get an ID card.

From Law.com and the Daily Report -

The federal courthouse in Atlanta, long a forbidden zone for cell phones that contain cameras, will allow lawyers who are members of the local federal bar to bring the devices into the building beginning today -- but only with a special photo ID... 

The relaxation of the ban on cameras in the courthouse does not allow anyone to snap photos with their cell phone cameras, cautioned District Court executive John T. Shope... And only lawyers who are members of the Northern District Bar and who have registered their phones with the U.S. Marshal will be able to take advantage of the new policy. Specially issued badges that will allow a lawyer to carry devices with cameras through security also are valid only in the Northern District.

Local rules established by each district's judges govern whether the devices are permitted in the courthouse. In Georgia's Southern District, an absolute ban on all hand-held communication devices remains in effect, said Robert Fritts, the Southern District's chief deputy clerk...

As camera phones have proliferated, cell phones, BlackBerrys and other hand-held communication devices without camera features have become increasingly rare, he said...

Members of the Northern District Bar may apply for the special photo ID at the court's human resources office in Room 2013 of the Russell Building. The application fee is $35. Photo badges will be made by the U.S. Marshal's ID section and will be valid for two years.

Full post as published by Georgia Bankruptcy Blog on January 28, 2009 (boomark / email).