[Kretek]

What I have seen done in one situaiton is to keep the defendant shackled, but in street clothes, the legs are hidden from the jury by a "modesty skirt" which goes around the table. The defendant and lawyers are instructed not to stand when the jury enters or leaves the room so as not to see the shackles.

I don't like the idea of not rising for the jury. Was the defendant shackled at the wrist as well as ankles? What kept him from resting his arms on the table?

Personally, I like the remote-control taser belt idea. Ankle irons aren't obtrusive, either, and ought to be standard. They can even be bolted down to the floor or something.

[longtermmemmory]

Perhaps all defendants should be "lojacked" in the future.

The situation I saw was just the ankles. It was a previously violent defendant so that is why the judge took the measures. The reason the attorneys were kept seated was an attempt to keep the defendant's bindings from being discerned.

Most people need to realize that courtrooms are generally empty during trials but for the actual court personel.

On a FR note: It is very interesting that FNC is the dominant source on this running thread.