Proposed Rules Archives

• Proposed New Rule GR 36 - Trial Court Security (in Word Format)
• Comments Received for GR 36 - Trial Court Security

GR 9 COVER SHEET

Suggested New General Rule

Submitted by the Trial Court Security Committee

A. Name of Proponent
Trial Court Security Committee, primary
Superior Court Judges’ Association (SCJA); the District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association (DMCJA); and Trial Court Advocacy Board, secondary

B. Spokesperson Judge David Steiner, DMCJA President

C. Purpose
The Trial Court Security Committee was created by the Boards of the Superior Court Judges’ Association and the District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association. The proposed court rule was approved by both Boards as well as the Trial Court Advocacy Board representing leadership from trial court associations, judges and administrators.

The proposed rule will accomplish two goals:
(1) Require trial courts to submit online incident reports to a statewide repository, and
(2) Encourage trial courts to create local security committees and security plans, and coordinate a local court response to security concerns

Under this rule, the only requirement is that trial courts submit online security incident reports. The remaining sections of the rule are advisory and recommend implementation of security standards as defined by the Trial Court Security Committee and approved by the Trial Court Advocacy Board. If a court cannot meet the security standards as outlined, then the security plan will indicate why the court is unable to meet these standards.

The purpose of the proposed rule, which is equal parts directive and discretionary, is to demonstrate that trial courts have organized themselves within resources that are available. This process will also provide minimum security standards as a baseline which courts can use to gauge their level of preparedness to the standards. Only then will the trial courts, through ongoing organizational development and gathering of data (incident reports), have the foundation to develop a state budget request that responds to the direct needs of trial courts.

Until the committee was formed in 2014, the trial courts had no reliable or organized statewide response to security incidents, current standards, or recommendations. This committee relied on the BJA security standards (2009) and feedback from trial court judge and administrator associations and national standards in creating the proposed rule. The proposed rule falls within the authority of the trial courts, is manageable, requires no costs incurred to the courts, and contributes to a better understanding of court security needs.

D. Hearing A hearing is not requested.

E. Expedited Consideration
Expedited consideration is not requested.

F. Supporting Material
Attached is the directive and purpose of the Trial Court Security Committee as drafted by the SCJA and DMCJA Boards.