NCJ Number
217942
Journal
Journal of Security Education Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: 2006 Pages: 1-26
Date Published
2006
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This discussion of the provision of a secure environment for the administration of justice focuses on personal security for the judiciary and other court personnel.
Abstract
Judges must often render unpopular decisions. It is the task of those with responsibility for security to assess the impact of such rulings upon the judges who make them, as well as upon the system in general. Judicial vulnerability to harm does not begin and end in the courtroom. The risk in particular cases may be even greater when the judge has left the courthouse. Neither is the risk of harm confined to the judge himself/herself. A person seeking revenge for a judicial decision may target members of the judge's family. In assessing the risks posed by individuals involved in particular cases, the security specialist must conduct a pretrial and ongoing analysis of the parties involved in the case and the likelihood that they will attempt to harm individuals involved in the administration of justice in the event that court decisions go against them. This must be an ongoing assessment throughout the trial and even after it has concluded. The threat assessment must encompass not only judges as potential targets of attack but also attorneys, jury members, and witnesses. Based on threat assessment for these court personnel, appropriate security measures should be provided, including security training for at-risk individuals and the offering of security services. An important part of security assessment and management is research on the circumstances of previous cases of attacks on court personnel and facilities. This provides information on the characteristics of attacks and attackers, as well as reasons for success and failure in countering various types of attacks. 53 notes