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Courthouse slams door on Pokemon Go phenomenon
The new Pokemon app may have taken the world by storm but the NSW Department of Justice has issued a hefty warning to aspiring Pikachu hunters.
Emma Musgrave
Pokemon Go is a free augmented-reality mobile game that recently hit the Apple and Android stores, and already has thousands of Australians signing up to be Pokemon ‘trainers’.
The app has virtual Pokemon set up all over the world and is described by many users as a good way to get people active, as they walk around trying to capture more and more.
However, it appears some trainers have taken their obsession too far, with the NSW Department of Justice having to remind people not to pull out their electronic devices in a serious setting such as a courthouse.
In a social media campaign accompanied by a picture of a crying Pikachu, the NSW Department of Justice warned users to keep the game out of the courts.
“Going to court is not a game: Pokemon Go trainers should look elsewhere for digital critters,” said the NSW Department of Justice on its Facebook page.
“Attention budding Pokemon trainers: you do not need to step inside a courthouse to find Pokemon.
“A reminder that the use of recording devices in NSW courts is prohibited under the Court Security Act 2005 – section 9 – and carries a $22,000 fine or imprisonment for 12 months (or both).”
In a somewhat tongue-in-cheek move, the NSW Department of Justice signed off the statement with “stay safe and catch ’em all!”
Emma Musgrave
Emma Musgrave (née Ryan) is the managing editor, professional services at Momentum Media.
Emma has worked for Momentum Media since 2015, including five years spent as the editor of the company's legal brand - Lawyers Weekly. Throughout her time at Momentum, she has been responsible for breaking some of the biggest stories in corporate Australia. In addition, she has produced exclusive multimedia and event content related to the company's respective brands and audiences.
Prior to joining Momentum Media, Emma worked in breakfast radio, delivering news to the Central West region of NSW, before taking on a radio journalist role at Southern Cross Austereo, based in Townsville, North Queensland.
She holds a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) degree from Charles Sturt University.
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