Tennessee has minimum court security standards. The ultimate goal of the grant program is to bring every courtroom where state and county court is held up to at least the minimum security standard. The AOC administers a court security survey annually. The surveys are sent to every county. If you need an application, please email: media.inquiries@tncourts.gov.
Tennessee Minimum Courtroom Security Standards
Silent bench and court clerk’s public transaction counter panic button connected directly to the sheriff’s department or police department.
A bullet-proof bench and court clerk work area in courtrooms.
Availability of armed, uniformed guard (court officer) in each courtroom during court sessions.
Court security training for court officers. Court security briefing on annual basis for judicial staff and courthouse personnel.
Hand-held detectors (minimum of 2) and/or magnetometers in each county to assure the safety in each courthouse or courtroom.
Each court building shall have signage posted at each court access entrance stating that all persons are subject to search by security personnel. Prohibited items are subject to seizure and forfeiture. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following: firearms; other forms of weaponry; and any item(s) that can be transformed into a weapon.
Hand held inspection security mirror to be used to view under courtroom seating and other areas for safety in the courthouse and/or courtroom(s).
In order to be in compliance, a county must have the same number bench panic buttons as courtrooms, the same number of bulletproof benches as courtrooms, the same number of bulletproof clerk work spaces as courtrooms and the same number of panic buttons as public transaction counters.
Going Beyond the Minimum Court Security Standards
The Tennessee Judicial Conference Court Security Committee and Administrative Office of the Courts fully recognizes that each courthouse and each courtroom have unique security challenges. The minimum standards are just that – the minimum standard. Counties are welcome to apply for items and resources that go beyond the minimum standards, but would improve security in their particular courthouse. However, if your county is not in compliance with the minimum standards, your application must also include all items required to bring it into compliance.