McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage expects it will take time for court-goers to adjust to a new rule banning cell phones and other electronic devices at the McLean County Law and Justice Center. That ban took effect last week.

“We thing the first couple things are going to be hectic. What we’ve done, there’s no way to get to the Law and Justice Center out of the parking garage or from any street that you don’t pass a sign that says cell phones are prohibited,” Sandage said.

Sandage says the rule came in response to instances in which court testimony was being recorded on a smart-phone as a way to intimate a witness. Sandage says McLean County’s cell phone ban is less restrictive them some. Attorneys, jurors and the media are among those who will be allowed to carry cell phones. For those who have to leave their cell phone behind, court security will put the phone in a locker that visitors can retrieve when they leave.

Livingston County has had a similar ban in effect for several years.

This story was submitted to us by WJBC’s Eric Stock.