But it's my observation that people who tweet or text message have no sense that maybe it's not something to do any time at all. There really are times and places not to tweet or text message.

I have not used my account in months, but tweet traffic regularly and other things that might impact drivers...regularly, as well as brush fires.



You could guess I smiled at that.

she probably shouldn't be in court.

Who was later suspended and failed to gain his seat back.



With the rise of social media I expect more of this, honest.

She says most people would be appalled by how inattentive the judges are. They read the paper, surf the internet, just barely pay attention to what is going on in their courtrooms.

Then there is a right to tweet about it like any other reporting.

Don't know what she was supposed to be doing, however.

And the rules of the court spell this clearly.

Also cameras are not allowed in some jurisdictions so your phone is supposed to be off, as press. (Read Federal Court)

Now locally sheriff deputies do that regularly, in traffic court and things like that.

Also she is an officer of the court, so you are not supposed to do that. Wherevdeputies could get in trouble if the fb update includes anything about the case. Local judge got into oodles of hot water for Facebook posts...suffice it to say, he is not a judge anymore. It's a tad more complicated than just the posts, and it involved an election and the "establishment" telling us press he was not qualified. But that is the gist of it.

Cameras may not be allowed, but the hearings are public - can't stop any reporter or anyone there from reporting about what went on.

So this would be at most a violation of some court rules that the phone has to be off. But in the end, it's no different - just reporting on what goes on there.

That is the trick. Also courts are nice and usually give copies of the complaints so reporters can do a better job overall. Why at times you will see these quotes from the complaint.

But really some courts, again read Federal, don't allow recording devices either.

State courts are a tad more liberal.

But officers of the court involved in the actual case are not supposed to.

And trust me, keeping straight who lets what in their court can at times be a challenge.

I have spent upwards of two hours the night before court figuring out the individual's judge standard.

I doubt her job duties called for sending out Tweets.