Judicial Branch Security Department Policies

Public Policy

Members of the public must go through security screening. All persons carrying weapons (as defined by the Judicial Branch Security Department) will be prohibited from entering the court complex until they have removed the weapon from the building or have it secured by security personnel.

Law Enforcement Weapons Policy

Law enforcement officers may wear their side arms in court facilities when they are in uniform or have their credentials visibly displayed on their person:

• When they are present due to a court order or subpoena in a criminal matter they may bypass the security screening station and proceed to the appropriate court with their weapon(s).
• In non-criminal matters, upon written order of the court, a law enforcement officer may bypass security screening and proceed to the appropriate court with his or her weapon.
• When a law enforcement officer, investigator or agency contacts the court that a protected witness is to be escorted to court, the officers may bypass the security screening station and proceed to the appropriate court with their weapons. The security office must be notified in advance by the court so that appropriate arrangements can be made

Law Enforcement Officers on Personal Business at Court

However, all law enforcement personnel appearing for personal litigation or other personal business in the Municipal Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, and the Superior Court in Maricopa County shall not wear their official law enforcement uniform and must secure their sidearm(s) upon entering a court facility. They also shall not use their law enforcement identification to bypass any security measures in the Municipal Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts or the Superior Court in Maricopa County. They will be required to pass through court security screening devices and procedures that would be required by the general public. All law enforcement officers on personal court business also shall comply with their agencies' policy relating to personal visits to court facilities.