German judges may not text from the bench: federal court

The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) found that "even in an age of limitless mobile phone and Internet use", a judge "must devote full attention to the hearing".

The judge for the regional court in the western city of Frankfurt had been presiding over the trial of two men accused of involvement in a knife fight.

The BGH threw out the men's conviction because the judge checked her mobile phone several times over the course of 10 minutes during witness testimony and sent two texts to a babysitter because the hearing had run longer than expected.

BGH judge Thomas Fischer said mobile phones "do not belong in the courtroom -- that goes for onlookers, lawyers and of course also for judges".

He advised the judge from the Frankfurt court to call a recess in case of an emergency and then assume the bench again, focused on the case before her.