I’ve been to a few Federal Courthouses through time but I’ve been to the Dan Russell Federal Courthouse in picturesque downtown Gulfport the most. Before I lend any further insights on the United States Courthouse experience let’s visit with Warren Kulo over at the Mississippi Press:
Each of the five defendants was led into court at 10:08 a.m. wearing handcuffs and leg shackles. A bailiff informed attorney Joe Sam Owen that federal regulations require the restraints as long as a suspect is in federal custody.
No cameras or recording devices were allowed in the courtroom.
Yes chains still rule the day for new criminal defendants in the Southern District of Mississippi. Some courthouses will allow smart phones inside but it is best they are turned off lest they make noise in open court and displease the Judge. Most courthouses are like that in fact except for one in my experience and that is the Dan Russell Courthouse as the gang there still does not allow such devices in period. The U.S. Marshals Service there are old school kinda guys. How about some lovely music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=691r2DDdWn4
While I have no first hand experience going to the courthouse as a criminal defendant, I’ve had occasion to accompany a person in such an unfortunate circumstance albeit to a different United States courthouse but coupled with my civil litigation experience this is how I interact with the good folks that work at the Russell Courthouse. Continue reading “Team Walker found out early: A bit of analysis on the Federal Indictment of Bill Walker and company”