Prohibited Items

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.

Grant marriage licenses
No Firearms
Grant marriage licenses
No Flammable Liquids
Grant marriage licenses
No Smoking or Vaping
Grant marriage licenses
No Multi-Function Tools
Grant marriage licenses
No Sharp Objects
Grant marriage licenses
No Videography
Grant marriage licenses
No Pepper Spray or Mace
Grant marriage licenses
No Knives
Grant marriage licenses
No Wire or Chains
Grant marriage licenses
No Cannabis
Grant marriage licenses
No Tools
Grant marriage licenses
No Weapons of Any Kind

There are a variety of potentially hazardous and dangerous items that are not permitted inside the court's facilities. In general, items that could be used to injure or harm another person are not permitted and cannot be brought into a court building. See the list of prohibited items for additional information. If in doubt about an item, leave it at home. If a potentially hazardous or dangerous item is brought into a court building, the person possessing the item must remove it from the building as the item cannot be left with court security.

Alarms (Audio)
Alcohol
Baseball Bats
Batons
Bicycle Chains
Black Jacks
Bolts
Box Cutters
Brass Knuckles
Bullets
Bullet Clips
Butterfly Knives
Chains
Clubs
CO2 Canisters
Corkscrews
Daggers
Darts
Fireworks
Gun-Shaped Lighters
Handcuffs
Horseshoes
Ice Picks
Mace
Knitting Needles
Letter Openers
Lock Picks
Flammable Liquids
Martial Arts Devices
Metal Clubs
Railroad Spikes
Motorcycle Chains
Nail Files 6"+
Meat Cleavers
Spikes
Razors
Razor Blades
Ninja Pins
Stun Guns
Stakes
Sterno
Scissors
Thermometer Probes
Swords
Syringes
Straight Razors
Twine Knives
Throwing Stars
Tools
Tear Gas
Toy Guns
Plastic Knuckles

The following situations should be considered before performing screening operations:

Pacemakers

Persons with Pacemakers will be directed around the Walk Thru Metal Detector and screened using hand wand or manual screening procedures only.

Pregnancies

Pregnant visitors will be screened using hand wand and manual screening procedures only.

Prosthetics and Casts/Splints

Persons with prosthetics/casts/splints will be screened using hand wand and manual screening procedures only.

ADA/Visitors in Wheelchairs

Persons using wheelchairs, crutches, canes or any other walking aid will be screened carefully using manual screening with consent.  All canes and handheld walking aids will be screened with an X-Ray Machine or manually screened (no X-Ray available).  Wheelchairs will be manually screened.

Children

Adults entering with infants will be directed to carry the infant as they walk through the magnetometer.  Small children will be allowed to walk through the magnetometer.

Service Animals

Pursuant to ARS 11-1024, persons who use service animals will not be discriminated against and will be allowed to enter after being screened.  It is not discriminatory to exclude a service animal from a JB Facility if the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, the animal is out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control the animal or if the animal is not housebroken.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices will be passed through an X-Ray Detection Machine or be manually screened if no X-Ray is available.  If the electronic device is affixed to the person, a manual screening will be conducted (ex. Insulin pump, medical implants, etc.)

Medically Prescribed Items

Items that are medically prescribed that a person will need on their person in critical situations (syringes, pills, medicines, etc.) are authorized to bring into a JB Facility.

Power Failure

In the event of a power failure or X-Ray malfunction, hand wands will be used for personnel screening and all hand carried items will receive a full bag check.

Metal Drink Containers

All metal drink containers must be opened and visibly inspected as part of the screening process.

Security Policies and Procedures

The duty of the Judicial Branch Security Department is to make the Superior Court facilities a safer and more secure environment for all. Any person entering a Superior Court, Justice Court or Municipal Court facility may be subject to search or prohibited items. Any person entering a Superior Court, Justice Court or Municipal Court facility may be subject to search. Handheld possessions including purses, cell phones, pagers, briefcases and packages are subject to search and inspection.

Our goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for court customers, visitors and court staff. Each visitor who enters a Superior Court facility goes through a security screen procedure with assistance from a Judicial Branch Security Officer.

In order to help keep the courts safe, visitors will be asked to:

  • Empty pockets, placing contents in the container provided.
  • Place purses, briefcases, backpacks and parcels on the X-ray machine for scanning.
  • Remove belts and walk through a metal detector.

If the x-ray or metal detector sets off an alert or alarm, a Judicial Branch Security Officer may perform another scan, using a hand wand. The security officer may also ask permission to conduct a physical search of personal articles to determine the cause of the alert or alarm. Before proceeding from the security screening area, visitors should be sure to retrieve all of their personal possessions. 

There are a variety of potentially hazardous and dangerous items that are not permitted inside the court's facilities. In general, items that could be used to injure or harm another person are not permitted and cannot be brought into a court building. See the list of prohibited items for additional information. If in doubt about an item, leave it at home. If a potentially hazardous or dangerous item is brought into a court building, the person possessing the item must remove it from the building. It cannot be left with court security. 

In the event of an emergency occurring in a court building, follow instructions provided by Judicial Branch Security Officers. Judicial Branch Security Officers will provide directions and routes for leaving the building, and will advise where to go once outside. Emergency Evacuation Procedures include provisions for persons with disabilities. 

Any visitor who has a safety concern or security issue should contact any of the Judicial Branch's Security Officers. A security supervisor or manager will gladly assist.

Camera Use in Courthouses

The use of cameras, recording devices and portable electronic device in a Courthouse is strict prohibited without the approval of the Presiding Judge of the Judicial Branch of Maricopa County. A courthouse includes all areas within the exterior walls of a Court Building. A Judge or a Commissioner can give authorizing for photos and/or videotaping in a courtroom however the requestor must seek approval first. For additional information, see the following:

  1. Arizona Supreme Court Rule 122: Use of Recording Devices in a Courtroom.
  2. Arizona Supreme Court Rule 122.1:  Use of Portable Electronic Devices in a Courthouse.
    1. Rule 122.1-B (2):  A “courthouse includes all areas within the exterior walls of a Court Building.”
    2. Rule 122.1-C (3): “Local Orders - By local administrative order, a court may adopt further reasonable limits on photography, audio or video recording in a courthouse.”
    3. Rule 122.1-F:  Limitations - “Subject to the authority of Judges, Clerks of Court, or Court Administrators to limit or terminate activity that is disruptive to Court Operations or that compromises courthouse security.”
  3. Superior Court Local Rule of Practice, Maricopa County Rule 2.6(e): Jury Confidentiality.
  4. Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order 2017-079:  Authorizes the Presiding Judge in each County to establish court security policies and procedures.
  5. Maricopa County Superior Court Administrative Order 2019-027: Camera Use in Court Buildings.

Sworn Officers

Any sworn Federal, State, local Law Enforcement Agency in possession of a commission card including the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) Investigators, Adult Probation Department Officers with Firearm Cards, or Armored Car Company on official Court business will retain their weapon however MUST sign in/out on the JBSD Law Enforcement Log.

Law Enforcement on Official Business

Law enforcement officers (LEO) must be in possession of a commission card and must sign in on the JBSD LEO Log. LEOs 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 will sign in via the LEO Log, 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 LEO may bypass security screening and proceed to the appropriate court with his or her weapon.
  • When a LEO, investigator or agency contacts the court that a protected witness is to be escorted to court, the sworn officer will sign in the LEO Log, bypass security screening and proceed to the appropriate court with their weapons. The JBSD must be notified in advance by the court so that appropriate arrangements can be made to expedite entry.

Law Enforcement on Personal Business

All law enforcement personnel appearing for personal litigation or other personal business in a Judicial Branch facility 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 credentials to bypass any security measures. All sworn Federal, State, local Law Enforcement Agency officers on personal business will be required to pass through court security screening 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. 

About the Security Department

With a commitment for a unified vision, and shared sense of purpose, our JBSD leadership team utilizes their significant expertise through extensive military, law enforcement and detention operations backgrounds and education, to continually monitor and critically evaluate standards and procedures.  Our aim is to ensure all measures established and carried out by our security professionals are as up to date as possible and appropriate to current and prevailing threats.

Ensuring the safety and welfare of the Judicial Branch, Court Stakeholders, visitors, as well as all facilities is paramount.  Our management staff has formulated planned responses that includes law enforcement and emergency personnel to duress alarms, threats, assaults, emergency evacuations, and many other situations that require security or medical attention. Individual and shared responsibilities have been delineated so that all divisions are accountable for their own areas of responsibilities and jurisdiction.

Developing our Judicial Branch Security program has been designed to provide deterrence, effectively limiting opportunities for malicious acts, to anticipate and prevent possible harm, and detect potential danger. These measures are fundamentally vital and are key components for establishing a safe and secure work environment.

Our principal goal is to use a systematic approach as a guideline in the implementation of our security and safety procedures that would effectively inspire a sense of reassurance for our Judicial Officers, Court Staff, Stakeholders, visitors, and the general public.

How are we doing?

As we strive to continuously improve security operations, a critical component is your feedback. Please take the time to tell us how our Judicial Branch Security Department Officers are doing.

Emergency Management Services

The Judicial Branch Security Department Emergency Management develops procedures to address various emergencies that may occur at a Judicial Branch facility.

View Emergency Management Information

Security Department Leadership

Sean Gibbs

Security Director

Contact Security