Recent incidents call for changes in court security
Courthouse visitors to be screened for Covid, weapons upon entry
Additional security measures are being implemented at the St. Francis County Courthouse.
The changes are in light of recent incidents outside the courthouse in which weapons were reportedly present.
“As of late, a series of incidents has caused the court to become more cautious about courtroom security,” said First Judicial District Circuit Court Administrative Judge Chris Morledge. “In light of these incidents, the judges are taking more extreme steps to ensure the safety and security of everyone in the courtroom.”
Morledge, whose criminal term begins Monday, said everyone entering the courthouse will have to abide by the new security measures.
He also noted that anyone not on the criminal court’s docket will not be allowed in the upstairs courtroom.
Starting Monday, anyone visiting the courthouse will be allowed to use only two entrances – the front ramp entrance and the entrance on the south end of the building near the county judge and clerk offices.
“All other entrances will remain locked and officials will be checking those entrances every hour on the hour to make sure they stay locked,” said Morledge.
Covid safety protocols will also be enforced.
“Everyone entering the building must have their temperature taken and fill out a health form. If there are any issues, they will need to notify the staff who will notify me immediately so I can deal with it,” said Morledge. “As you know, the Covid numbers are going right back up after Memorial Day.”
Each person who enters the courthouse, regardless of the reason, will be screened for weapons.
“We will have a deputy at the downstairs entrances with a wand, and everyone who comes into the building will either have the wand used or be patted down,” said Morledge.
Those attending criminal court proceedings will go through a second security check outside the circuit courtroom.
“When you get upstairs, everyone will have to go through a metal detector again in case someone is trying to hide something,” said Morledge. “We will not allow bags, purses or cell phones in the courtroom, and there will be no exceptions to that rule. People need to leave their phones in their cars.”
Once court convenes, anyone who leaves the courtroom while court is in session will not be allowed to come back inside, according to Morledge.
“No one is to leave the courtroom until excused by the court or until their business is completed,” said Morledge. “We’re shutting the doors, and I’ve instructed the bailiff that if someone leaves they cannot come back in.”