November 16, 2005
Federal Court Gives Leg Chains the Boot

By David Rosenzweig, Times Staff Writer

A federal appeals court on Tuesday overturned the U.S. Marshals Service's policy of shackling defendants' legs when they make their initial appearances in district court.

In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the marshals had not adequately explained why leg shackling was needed. However, the court said the policy could be reinstated if a justification based on past or present problems was presented.


Read the whole article here:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-shackles16nov16,1,700302.story?coll=la-headlines-california

US District Court in Boston walks inmates to the courtroom w/o leg irons or did several years ago when I was through there a few times. The walk takes forever. Brockton District Court MA keeps people handcuffed and schackled in the cell all day even if you are alone in the cell. Try using the toilet there. I wish someone would rule on that. Sounds like this was used for arraignment or determination of attorney in LA USDC, they should just use videoconferencing and skip the transport.