Cellphones soon to be banned in courts building and historic courthouse

A security precaution at the St. Joseph County Courthouse will go into effect in April, resulting in a full ban on cellphones in the courts building as well as the historic courthouse.
Sheriff’s department Sgt. Don Heath told commissioners during Wednesday’s executive committee meeting that the single-entrance measure is about a month from being introduced. Once the single entrance is in place, the public will not be allowed to take a cell phone into either building. With the exception of employees and attorneys, cell phones are currently prohibited in the courts building.
The cellphone ban was approved at the request of circuit and district courts. The ban stemmed primarily from the misuse of phones during trials.
Commissioner Kathy Pangle suggested highly visible signs be placed in the parking lot, well before people exit their vehicles. The measure, she said, would save violators a trip back to their vehicle once they enter the building.
The no-cellphone policy is consistent with a number of courthouses throughout the state, commissioner John Dobberteen said.
Commissioners advised Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite to draft language addressing the soon-to-be enforced order for the historical building. Commissioners are expected to field a resolution on the matter later this month.