The latest move aimed at reducing disruptions in Sampson County court is zeroing in on the young and boisterous population.
Chief District Court Judge Paul A. Hardison has issued an order that bans children under the age of 6 from being inside or in areas adjacent to courtrooms. Hardison disseminated a brief memo late last week addressed to “all persons entering Sampson County District Courts,” regarding children in court. The ban will go into effect April 1.
“Children under 6 years of age will not be allowed in the courtrooms or in the hallways in the area of the courtrooms,” Hardison stated in his order, noting only a few exceptions. Hardison stated that those exceptions included between the hours of 8-9:30 a.m. before court begins and 12:30-2 p.m. during the afternoon break, as well as when court has recessed for the day.
“This memo is an attempt to reduce noise and disruptions that occur when children are unable to remain quiet for extended periods of time,” Hardison stated.
The judge requested that those affected by the new mandate be cognizant of their court date and make arrangements ahead of time to eliminate any personal inconvenience.
“If you are scheduled to appear in court, please make appropriate child care arrangements for your child or children prior to your court date. Failure to do so may result in you being held in contempt,” said Hardison, adding, “Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.”
Hardison’s mandate is just the latest attempt by the Fourth Judicial District’s chief district court judge to eliminate distractions in Sampson County courtrooms. He banned cell phones and other similar devices in 2015.
In Sampson County, District Court is held every week, Monday through Thursday. Every other week, that extends through Friday. For a long time, the Sampson County Courthouse had four different public entrances — one on each side of the building — and no security for its main courthouse, which houses the large district courtroom upstairs and various other offices.
In recent years, a county project saw those four entrances narrowed to one public entrance and security implemented on an everyday basis. Along with that, the cell phone ban went into effect August 2015 at all Sampson County courtrooms — as well as courts in surrounding counties — by administrative order of Hardison.
The order prohibits cell phones and any electronic device capable of taking photographs or videos at all district courthouses. In Sampson, that includes the main courthouse, as well as the annex and extension facilities.
Hardison signed the cell phone order for all courthouses in the Fourth Judicial District, which encompasses Sampson, Onslow, Jones and Duplin counties. Local court officials estimated that 95 percent of visitors to court had a cell phone on them when the ban first went into effect. They were informed that they would not be able to enter and would have to leave their cell phones in their vehicles.
“It is necessary to restrict the use of cell phones and other personal communication devices having the capability to take photographs and to record the unauthorized taking of photographs of persons involved in proceedings in court, such as witnesses, jurors and attorneys,” Hardison stated in that 2015 order, citing General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts.
The order allows cell phones for certain parties with proper authorization, clearance or written permission from the chief district court judge himself. This week, Sheriff’s Lt. Marcus Smith reminded the public of Hardison’s previous order “that no cell phones or weapons be allowed inside the courthouse.” He said the ban remains in effect.
As for the ban on children under 6 years of age, Smith said that would also be strictly enforced.
“We only enforce the judge’s rules and policies and we do not make them,” said Smith, alluding to the bailiffs and security personnel that man the courts. “Therefore, any questions would need to be directed to his office.”
