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Judicial Security |
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The oldest and most important duty of
the Marshals Service is to protect everyone involved in judicial
business so it is free to resolve disputes fairly. |
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Some ways the Marshals Service provides safe
court surroundings are by: |
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protecting over 2,000 federal judges and other court officials such as
prosecutors, witnesses, jurors and public observers
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making sure over 400 federal courthouses are secure and that each is
safe and free of electronic devices that may interfere with judicial
proceedings (such as recorders, telephones or cameras) |
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making sure each judicial proceeding is fair by reducing chances to: |
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tamper (try to influence) with evidence (things to prove)
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intimidate (try to bully)
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extort (try to force)
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bribe (try to buy)
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keeping custody (hold) of prisoners and protecting them during judicial
proceedings.
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COURT BUILDING SECURITY: The Marshals Service hires contract guards
called Court Security Officers (CSOs) to help deputy marshals protect
everyone in the court building. More than 4,500 CSOs guard all entrances
and make sure all equipment is working properly. Some of the ways deputy
marshals and CSOs work together to protect everyone are: |
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survey each building and courtroom to see if either needs more
protection |
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screen (check) all court building and courtroom entrances by making
sure: |
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Every person walks through a metal detector. A metal detector is a
gate like structure that looks for hidden metal objects that could be
used as weapons, like guns, knives or sharp objects |
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Every package goes through an x-ray machine. This machine looks
through items then takes pictures of objects that could be used to hurt
someone or for cameras, telephones and recording devices that are not
allowed in courtrooms. |
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watch everyone in the courtroom for disorderly conduct |
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test all security equipment on a regular basis, making sure they work
properly |
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train the court staff on how to protect themselves |
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search courtrooms and surrounding areas before each court session
for weapons or suspicious persons. After the search, the courtroom is
locked until court begins. |
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if persons are suspected of being on drugs or alcohol, turn them over to
the local police |
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COURTROOM SECURITY:
Before a criminal case is brought to court, deputy
marshals plan how many deputies, guards and equipment will be needed to
protect everyone based on the following factors and questions: |
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Charge: is there a serious crime such as murder or terrorism? |
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Defendant: is the person accused of a crime of violence or tried to
escape? |
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Number of defendants: is there more than one defendant or is the
defendant associated with a dangerous group? |
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Interest in a case: has the public or media showed an interest in the
case? |
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All these factors may suggest possible danger and a need for more
security than other cases. |
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JURY: To help jurors come to a fair verdict (a decision of guilt or
innocence) and use only the facts discussed in court, a judge may have
the jury sequestered (to separate) from people or news. A sequestered
jury needs more deputy marshals to protect it from other ideas or news
reports about a case. While protecting these juries, deputy marshals may
have to: |
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provide transportation |
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provide hotel rooms |
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provide meals
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limit access to TV, newspaper, books, mail and
telephone calls
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arrange for personal or business visits |
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PERSONAL SECURITY:
Sometimes a person is threatened harm for doing their
duty to the courts. People making threats may be angry or dangerous and
sometimes try to frighten others into making unfair decisions. Deputy
marshals protect judges, witnesses or jurors, especially, if someone
threatens to harm them. A threat may be delivered by telephone, letter,
messenger, e-mail or in person. A threat hints someone or someone in
their family may be hurt. The courts want fairness in all its decisions,
but a threat might make someone nervous or afraid to make the right
decision. The Marshals Service takes all threats very seriously
and will protect everyone so no one harms them for doing their duty. If
needed, deputies will provide protection 24/7 (24 hours a day, 7 days a
week) until the person is out of danger or the person making the threat
is apprehended (arrested). It is a very serious crime to threaten harm
to anyone.
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Learn more: |
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Combating Fear and Restoring
Safety in Schools |
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Inside the Courtroom |
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Glossary of Legal Terms |
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Ben Franklin’s Judicial Branch |
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Ben Franklin’s Executive Branch |
