In today’s austere fiscal climate it is important to realize that there are still tangible actions we can take that will significantly enhance the security of our courthouses, without a larger security budget.  However, it is necessary to invest time and forethought rather than dollars, as each building is a unique structure requiring customized planning.  However, some basic security principals are universal in their application to all courthouses.  Below are five real tangible, actionable items the court security practitioner can take immediately.

Earlier this month three judges were shot and killed in one courtroom in China and the assailant then committed suicide. A few days later in Brussels, a respected judge and her clerk were killed in a court of law. It was Belgium’s first judicial killing in an active court and it shocked the country’s populace and legal community.

“Those who are able to adapt and change in accord with the enemy and achieve victory

are called divine…”

-Sun Tzu

In June of 2006 Judge Chuck Weller in Reno, Nevada was shot in the safety of his judicial chambers. An angry litigant of Judge Weller, fired a single rifle bullet from over 170 yards away in a nearby parking garage that quickly shattered not only glass but quickly pierced the façade of security on local judges. While Judge Weller was being taken to the hospital in an ambulance, he informed law enforcement that he believed he had been attacked by the same man that had began an internet attack campaign against him – Darren Mack.

Welcome to the first blog dedicated exclusively to court security. This will be THE PLACE on all matters on court security. It is my intention to create a quality venue for those responsible for the protection of our courts.  As such a post will be shared at least once a month or sooner – depending upon current events. 

If you have a question or wish for me to discuss a matter (in a public format) on a particular court security topic contact me via the Protecting Court website – I would truly like to hear from you about what is important to you.  For my inaugural post, I have submitted an article that I wrote for the first publication of Deputy & Court Officer Magazine, a new NSA publication. Let me know what you think!