December 3, 2004
Jurors at risk from picture phones
The safety of jurors and witnesses in New Zealand courts is under threat from mobile phones which also take photographs and video, reports tvnz.co.nz.
"In a major drugs trial at the Auckland District Court last month involving a member of the Headhunters bikie gang, a man in the public gallery allegedly used a camera phone to photograph the jury.
The judge suppressed the incident so the trial could continue, but now One News can reveal authorities are scrambling to prevent it happening again.
Crown prosecutors are concerned that by telling the story One News may disturb future jurors in other gang-related trials.
They are also concerned that the picture phone incident could prejudice two more trials due to run in the high court and district court next year, both stemming from Operation Illusion.
New Zealand has no laws preventing recording equipment being used in court, but judges have powers to ensure proceedings are safe for jurors and witnesses.
In Sydney, court officers now confiscate phones as people enter the court, following a similar case in which a witness was photographed.
New Zealand's Ministry of Justice is reviewing its policies and may call for new laws dealing with video and photo phones.
Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigation into the person who photographed the jury."
Related incidents from around the world:
-- Court camphone video footage man gets six months - A man has been given a six-month custodial sentence for taking photos in court with his mobile phone.
-- A year in British jail for man using a cameraphone in court.
-- Man fined for taking a picture in South Wales court
-- Camera phones banned in Australia's courtrooms
-- Picture phones banned in Oakland County Courthouse
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/picturephoning/archives/2004/12/006247.htm