Watkins et al v. Lawrence County, Arkansas et al

Filing 132

ORDER allowing Julie DeWoody Greathouse, James D. Rankin, III, Kimberly Logue, and M. Christine Dillard, counsel for plaintiffs, to bring a cell phone, laptop computer, or personal digital assistant into the courthouse in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on Monday, 11/15/2021, for a jury trial in this matter, and continuing each day thereafter until the jury trial concludes. Signed by Judge Kristine G. Baker on 10/27/2021. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
NORTHERN DIVISION
CLEO WATKINS, et al.
v.

PLAINTIFF
Case No. 3:17-cv-00272 KGB

LAWRENCE COUNTY, ARKANSAS, et al.

DEFENDANTS

ORDER
Julie DeWoody Greathouse, James D. Rankin, III, Kimberly Logue, and M. Christine
Dillard, counsel for plaintiffs, are hereby authorized to bring a cell phone, laptop computer, or
personal digital assistant into the courthouse in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on Monday, November 15,
2021, for a jury trial in this matter, and continuing each day thereafter until the jury trial concludes,
subject to the following rules:
(a)

This Order grants permission for those individuals identified in this Order to bring
a cell phone, laptop computer, or personal digital assistant into the courthouse for
their personal use, not to bring in such devices possessed by or for use by other
individuals not identified in this Order.

(b)

The devices mentioned above may not be used to record, photograph, or film
anyone or anything inside the courthouse.

(c)

Cell phones must be turned off and put away when in the courtroom.

(d)

Wireless internet components of electronic devices must be deactivated when in
district courtrooms.

(e)

Before persons with electronic devices are granted entry into the courthouse, all
devices must be examined by the United States Marshals Service or Court Security
Personnel. This examination includes, but is not limited to placing the device

through electronic screening machines and requiring the person possessing the
device to turn the power to the device off and on.
(f)

The United States Marshals Service may further restrict electronic devices from
entering the building should a threat assessment so dictate.

A violation of paragraph (a), (b), (c), or (d) may result in seizure of the electronic device,
withdrawal of the privilege to bring an electronic device into the courthouse, or other sanctions.
A violation of the prohibition on recording, photographing, or filming anyone or anything inside
the courthouse may be punished as contempt of court.
It is so dated this the 27th day of October, 2021.
________________________
Kristine G. Baker
United States District Judge

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