By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Security screeners at the McLean County Law and Justice Center will likely be busier the next few days as they enforce a new courtroom rule.

Cell phones and other electronic devices are banned from the Law and Justice Center starting Thursday.

“I think there will probably be some grumbling initially, but if you lo0k around at the other courthouses in our area, our policy is actually less restrictive than some of the others,” Sheriff Jon Sandage said.

Sandage warned repeat violators could be subject to criminal charges. He added the rule came in response to instances in which court testimony was being recorded on a smart-phone as a way to intimate a witness.

“We think the first couple of weeks are going to be pretty hectic,” Sandage said. “There’s no way to get to the Law and Justice Center out of the parking garage or from any street that you don’t pass a sign that says cell phones are prohibited.”

Attorneys, county employees, jurors, law enforcement, court advocates and credentialed media are among those who are exempt.

For those who have to leave their cell phone behind, court security will put the phone in a locker that visitors can retrieve when they leave.

The ban applies to cell phones, two-way radios, portable radios, iPods, mp3 players, laptops and computer tablets.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].