Gloucester resident David Weller has been standing outside Gloucester’s courthouse recently protesting the judge’s policy of the use of cell phones in the court building. Weller said he feels that the judge needs to consider a more respectful and fair cell phone policy.

“Everyone and their brothers are taking their cell phones into the Gloucester courthouse, (including) lawyers, employees, law enforcement and maintenance,” Weller said. “The only people not allowed to conduct business via phone … are the taxpayers.”

Weller said he realized for certain high-profile cases that may be heard in the building that the cell phones might need to be banned, but added those cases in Gloucester are few and far between. He also stated that Gloucester’s policy hasn’t changed in over 15 years, while other courthouses have relaxed their cell phone use policies. 

“Even Judge Judy allows evidence to be presented by cell phone,” he added. “I believe, Gloucester’s restrictive phone policy is in violation of Virginia law and unfair to taxpayers.”

Weller said he was told the reason no phones are permitted in the courthouse is the concern that someone in the courtroom may be sending testimony to someone outside the courtroom waiting to testify. “But since court is seldom in session and most cases do not rise to this level like traffic, divorce, child support and DUI, there are very few at-risk times.”

However, he said using a cell phone today is a normal way of doing business for everyone, especially when filling out forms and doing land research. “I recently had to go out to my car three times to get information and phone numbers off my phone to fill out a simple form to get married,” he said.

Margaret Walker, Gloucester’s Circuit Court clerk, emphasized that the rules about using cell phones inside the courthouse are not the rules of the staff, but of the Circuit Court judge.

She said there are signs posted along the front entryway notifying all visitors of the policy, which basically states no cell phones are allowed in the building with the exception of attorneys and for some title examiners to search records. 

“Lockers are located inside the entrance for people to leave their cell phones if they wish,” Walker added.