Protecting Court: A Practitioner's Guide to Court Security examines the art of protecting today's courts by using history as its example and common sense as its foundation. As demonstrated far too often in today's news, there are some who will lash out in anger and violence if the scale of justice does not weigh in their favor. The intensity of emotion within the courthouse has placed a spotlight on the court security officer whose role is to ensure that all participants in the courthouse are safe and free from harm. Protecting Court illustrates the importance of courtroom security measures which are too often overlooked until grave tragedies occur. Well paced examples throughout the book depict specific courtroom events to demonstrate applicable concepts and solutions for court security practitioners. For every Sheriff responsible for creating a safe and secure courthouse, 'Protecting Court' is absolutely required reading for practical court security! -Sheriff Thomas Faust (Ret.), former Executive Director, National Sheriffs' Association Jimmie Barrett has captured the essence of court security, and his book is a must for all judges, bailiffs, court security officers, and court administrators. -Judge Richard W. Carter (Ret.), Arlington, Texas Director of Legal Services, Crime Stoppers USA. Author of: Court Security for Judges, Bailiffs & Other Court Personnel 'Protecting Court' is designed to be used by law enforcement and criminal justice officials addressing the complex issues of providing court security. This book provides a much needed pragmatic guide of best practices in courthouse security strategies. -Sheriff Beth Arthur, Arlington County, Virginia 'Protecting Court' should be the resource every court security professional reaches for before entering their first courtroom. -Lynda S. O'Connell, CAE, Executive Director, Virginia Center for Policing Innovation

Violence in courthouses is very prevalent. The courthouses themselves are filled with individuals have committed crimes against individuals and society, and these individuals can often become explosive. This volume of The Annals discusses the violence seen in courthouses. It delves in to how this violence transcends the courthouse walls and expands to the homes of the individuals who work in the courthouses. This volume, Courthouse Violence: Protecting the Judicial Workplace, cites specific examples of violence and how the victims may even be trying to help the accused individual. This volume of The Annals focuses on citing examples and research to help better the reader's understanding of what kind of violence is out there and how it can be avoided. The purpose of this volume is to identify the basic issues involved in courthouse violence so that appropriate security measures can be discussed, decided upon, and implemented in the courthouse setting. Some of the issues that are discussed for clarification are: · The type of violence seen in courthouses · Who's at risk for becoming victims? · What types of courts are most susceptible? · Who's likely to become violent in the courthouse setting? · What are their motives for becoming violent? Finally, the volume discusses planning that is being done or can be done to help limit or even eliminate the threats of violence on courthouse officials. It discusses the financial implications as well as physical and architectural changes that must be made to make the courthouses safe for all that work there or need to visit.

The importance of judicial security was underscored by the murders of family members of a Chicago federal judge on February 28, 2005, and the killings less than two weeks later of a state judge, a court reporter, and a sheriff's deputy in an Atlanta courthouse. Shortly after these incidents, the House and the Senate held hearings and legislation was introduced to (among other things) improve security for judicial officers in the courtrooms; safeguard judges and their families at home; restrict postings of personal information about judicial officials and their families on the Internet; extend or make permanent the authority to redact certain information from judges' and their families' financial disclosure forms; and increase penalties for attacks against them and other law enforcement personnel. These legislative initiatives were H.R. 1710, H.R. 1751, H.R. 4311, H.R. 4472, H.R. 4732, S. 1608, S. 1558, and S. 1968. Several of the bills have been passed by either the House or the Senate, one bill has been passed by both Houses, but none has been enacted. Separate legislation was enacted (P.L. 109-13) that appropriated funds for intrusion detection alarms in judges' homes. By statute, the United States Marshals Service (USMS) within the Department of Justice has primary responsibility for the security of the Judiciary, but USMS is to work closely with the Judicial Conference of the United States, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AOUSC), and the Federal Protective Service (FPS) within the Department of Homeland Security. Concerns have been raised, however, about the staffing of, and the communication and coordination between, these offices. According to USMS, more than 400 court facilities nationwide are under its protection. Both federal and state judicial organizations have also attempted to address judicial security concerns. The Judicial Conference has, among other things, encouraged newly appointed judges to provide personal information to USMS, and urged USMS to provide additional training to marshals and inspectors. The National Center for the State Courts (NCSC) issued a document intended to serve as a framework for state judicial security, and has held two summits on court safety and security. Federal court security funding is currently provided under two sets of appropriations bills, one for the Judiciary and one for USMS. The majority of the Judiciary funding for security is ultimately transferred to USMS to administer the program that pays for contract security guards and other expenses. The FY2007 Judiciary budget request for court security is $410.3 million -- a $42.1 million (11.4%) increase over the FY2006 appropriation. Separately, the FY2007 budget request for USMS for judicial and courthouse security is $343 million -- a $19 million (5.9%) increase over the FY2006 appropriation. Several related issues may merit consideration as Congress considers judicial security, including funding and resources, communication and consultation, federal/state collaboration, and continuous oversight. This report will be updated upon passage of relevant legislation, or as other events warrant.