Use Your Phone At The Courthouse To Save Money?

Court clerks around Michigan are criticizing a proposal to allow phones and other electronic devices to circumvent copy fees.  One of their major complaints is they fear they’ll lose money. The Michigan Supreme Court is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the issue later this week.

Courts typically charge us to make copies of documents. But if you have an electronic device, you don’t need the help and can do it for free. Many counties charge an average one dollar per page for copies.

The other issue finding opposition is the new proposed rules would allow us to use a mobile device to take notes, search the internet, and send or receive text messages in a courtroom.  Lawyers, who typically can carry phones, are in favor of the change, especially if it helps them stay in touch with clients in a courthouse. A number of courts around the state currently prohibit the use of mobile devices during court sessions.