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    Judicial Security Committee

    Chair Hon. John C. Allen, IV and Vice-Chair Jonathan Shirts

    Mission

    The Judicial Security Committee focuses on helping our judges to recognize, identify and avoid threats to their personal security. The Committee evaluates what resources would help judges to be better protected in and outside of the courthouse, and makes such resources readily available to judges. Resources include practical hands-on training for judges in identifying and responding to threats; web content to assist judges with specific security threats; webinars/podcasts on topics such as cybersecurity/defending against cyberstalking, cost-efficient security devices, deescalating tensions in the courtroom; and pointers and advice from security experts in responding to specific threats.

    ABA HOD Adopts Resolution 516

    During the 2024 ABA Annual Meeting, The HOD adopted the Judicial Division’s Resolution 516: Urges Congress to pass the Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act, S.3984 and H.R.8093, 118th Cong. (2024), or any similar legislation establishing a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center charged with providing technical assistance and training for heightened judicial security, monitoring threats, developing standardized incident reporting, and creating a national database for reporting, tracking, and the sharing of threat information.

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    Judicial Security Resources

    National Center for State Courts' Best Practices for Court Building Security

    Now in its fourth edition, the NCSC's Steps to Best Practices for Court Building Security delivers updated guidance on a diverse array of court security topics. Examples include recommendations for implementing remote hearings for in-custody defendants and recommendations for security technology. The 2022 update also reinforces fundamental security concepts for courts of all shapes and sizes.

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    Gavel Talks podcast episodes

    Judges in the Cross-Hairs: What We Must Be Doing Now About Our Safety and Security

    Reality check: No judge should consider themself immune from violence. The foiled attempt to take the life of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the murder of a retired Wisconsin judge a few days earlier are nuclear events that should be a wakeup call for all judges.

    From Short List to Hit List: What Judges Can do NOW to Take Safety and Security Seriously

    In this extended special edition of Gavel Talks, John Muffler, Retired Chief Inspector of the National Center of Judicial Security of the United States Marshal’s service and a thread assessment specialist discusses what measures judges should take now to address the growing threat to judicial safety and security.

    Is Your Court Ready for the Next Disaster?

    What if your courthouse burned down? Or was attacked by civil unrest? Or inaccessible due to a power outage or natural gas leak? The Hon. Jason Rossell, chief judge of Wisconsin's Second Judicial District, credits changes necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic with making it easier to move court operations in Kenosha, Wis., during civil disturbances following an officer-involved shooting that made the courthouse ground-zero for violent protests. Judge Rossell shares disaster planning tips and says that the best time to plan for one is before it happens.

    Join or Contact

    To join or contact the committee, please contact staff member Kris Berliant, [email protected]. You can also enroll online.

    Enroll - Online