Police

Cops: Greenport man arrested during arraignment for texting

A quick lesson for defendants awaiting arraignment in justice court: don’t text.

A Greenport man learned that lesson the hard way Friday morning when a court officer arrested him around 11:50 a.m. for repeatedly using his cellphone while Southold Town Justice Court was in session, police said.

Allen Brown, 23, who was being arraigned on a prior disorderly conduct charge, then began texting as he stood before a judge, prompting the arrest, police said.

Mr. Brown was charged with another count of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest for using his body to prevent the court officer from placing him in the holding area, police said.