When visitors enter a Pierce County courthouse they will pass through a security screening process similar to what one might experience in an airport. As visitors enter the courthouse, they will be required to pass through a magnetometer (commonly called a metal detector) and belongings may be inspected with x-ray screening equipment.
In order for this process to be as efficient as possible, and to reduce delays, these guidelines should be followed:
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There are three security screening lines at the County-City Building:
- The general screening line procedure includes X ray of all hand carried items, such as purses, briefcases and backpacks.
- The express line does not allow hand carried items such as purses and laptops.
- The ADA line accommodates those needing mobility assistance, such as wheelchairs, crutches and scooters.
- Law enforcement officers carrying weapons, please note procedure below.
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- Be prepared to empty pockets and place the contents in a container provided for you at a screening checkpoint. Mobile phones, music players such as iPods, personal data assistants (PDAs) and other hand held electronic devices must be placed in a container for screening also.
- Please remove large pieces of jewelry, watches and belts and place them in containers provided at the screening points before entering the magnetometer. Doing so will save time and prevent having to go through additional screening.
- Be prepared to provide purses, briefcases, laptops and laptop cases, backpacks, coats and other hand carried items to court security staff for x-ray screening and additional screening as requested by security staff and law enforcement officers.
- Please note, you may be required to undergo additional screening procedures to enter the facility if the magnetometer sounds an alarm. Please follow the directions of security personel who will assist you through the rest of the screening process should this occur.
- Before leaving the security area, please remember to retrieve all personal possessions. Security personnel are not responsible for items left in security screening areas.
Help keep your experience simple by arriving a few minutes early, prepared for the screening process, and by cooperating with security staff and law enforcement officer's requests and directions.
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The following items may not be carried into any Pierce County Court facility.
This list is not intended to be all inclusive. Items that, in the judgment of security staff and law enforcement personnel pose a threat to the security of the courts may be prohibited in addition to the items included in this list.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
- Firearms and Ammunition
Firearms and / or parts of firearms
Ammunition / magazines / gun powder
Flare guns and/or flares
Gun lighters
Realistic replicas of guns and toy guns
Other items capable of firing / launching a projectile capable of causing serious bodily injury or death
- Edged Weapons and Sharp Objects
Knives / swords / any edged weapon
Pocket knives / shanks
Razors and Box cutters
Bows / arrows
Other edged weapons/sharp objects capable of causing serious bodily injury or death
- Impact Weapons
Bats / clubs / pool cues
Fighting knuckles composed of any material
Martial arts weapons including nunchucks and throwing stars
Night sticks / batons / expandable batons / whips
Tools including but not limited to axes / hatchets
Other items capable of causing serious bodily injury or death when used as an impact weapon
- Explosives, Flammable Materials, Chemicals
Blasting caps
Dynamite, plastic explosives or any other explosive compound or material
Improvised explosive devices (IED)
Improvised explosive device components
Fireworks, Flares
Hand grenades
Replicas or simulated explosive devices and materials
Gasoline and other fuels
Flammable liquids and/or gels
Hazardous materials (HAZMAT)
- Other Items
Tear gas and self defense sprays including CN, CS, OC
Stun guns/tasers/electronic defense devices
Narcotics/illicit drugs/drug paraphernalia
Handcuffs and handcuff keys
Law enforcement uniforms, insignia, badges or emblems may not be worn or displayed by a person who is not a commissioned law enforcement officer in such a manner that constitutes a violation of RCW 9A-60.045.
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The following procedures apply to fully commissioned law enforcement officers who wish to retain their weapons while in a Pierce County courthouse:
- All fully commissioned law enforcement officers, uniform and non-uniform, shall display their departmental photo ID to court security staff upon entering the courthouse. Officers shall advise court security staff of the purpose of their visit, affirm that they are acting in their official capacity, and disclose their destination in the courthouse.
- For the purpose of this policy, a weapon is a firearm, ammunition, knife, impact weapon, electronic device or chemical agent the officer would normally possess in their position as a fully commissioned law enforcement officer.
- Official capacity refers to any activity that arises from employment as a commissioned law enforcement officer requiring them to enter a Pierce County courthouse. It does NOT include jury duty, appearing as a victim, witness, spectator or party to any court proceeding, civil, domestic or criminal in which they are personally, not work related, involved.
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