Cell phones now seem to be a permanent part of American’s profile. Many subscribers are canceling hard-wire phones at home in favor of the completely portable cell phones.

Everybody uses them, from teens to seniors. I’ve seen teens walking two feet apart in the mall, talking to each other on cell phones. Surveys on cell phone use report that men talk more often than women, but women talk longer. Sounds about right to me.

But three people using cell phones ran afoul of the law last month in Indiana. The scene was in Criminal Court where signs were posted in the hallway: "Turn off cell phones." As court was gaveled into session, County Criminal Court Judge Diane Boswell warned: "I want cell phones turned off in this courtroom."

Moments later the sound of cell phones ringing echoed throughout the courtroom. It seemed the sound came from the second row of spectators. Nobody would admit that their cell phone rang, so the judge ordered the bailiff to move all five people to seats normally reserved for jail prisoners. Even after that, one cell phone rang again.

An hour later, when court concluded, the judge turned her full attention to the cell people. One of them claimed what the judge heard was his cell phone "powering down" after he turned it off. When all was said and done, three of the five people were charged with contempt of court, for not turning off their cell phones as ordered.

One woman agreed to pay a $100 fine, but the other two were sentenced to 40 hours of community service. Don’t these folks have a "vibrate" setting, and don’t unanswered calls automatically go into a voice message box?

Cell phones in restaurants are also annoying, although not illegal. Why do people have to talk so loud on their cell phone? And why do they talk at all when they’re in a movie theater?

What we need is a code of good manners for cell phone users. Good manners? What an archaic topic that is.