Courthouse Security

The Sheriff's Office is responsible for security in all the Courtrooms in Beaver County. Deputies are assigned to protect Judges and courtroom personnel to ensure their safety. Defendants, witnesses, attorneys, jurors and spectators fall under the watchful eye of our Deputies. During high-profile criminal cases public emotions can run high, evidence must be protected, and witnesses and families separated. The Court must run at a smooth pace to insure fairness for all concerned, and everyone should feel secure.

In addition, the Sheriff's Office is responsible for prisoner transportation from the Beaver County Jail to the Courthouse. While in the Courthouse, the Deputies are also responsible for the safe custody of the prisoners.

These days all Americans need to be vigilant and on alert for illegal activity and/or terroristic threats. Therefore, we ask all citizens to notify our Office to any suspicious activity or threats to the Beaver County Courthouse, Judges, Elected Officials or County employees.

Procedures to Expect When Entering the Courthouse

All persons entering the Courthouse will be required to proceed through a metal detector to ensure they are not carrying any weapons or contraband on their person that can be perceived as a threat. If the metal detector alerts while passing through, the visitor be required to step forward to have a visual inspection conducted and to be checked with a hand-held metal detector. Visitors are required to place all bags, purses, briefcases and other such items through an X-ray inspection system to be scanned to insure no weapon(s) or contraband are being brought into the Courthouse. Any weapons that are located on an individual will be seized and the subject may be subject to legal action.

Items Considered as Weapons/Contraband are Not Permitted in the Courthouse

Such Items Include:

Guns, rifles, ammunition of any type, knives, bowie knifes, daggers, cleavers, steak or butcher knives, loaded cigarette lighter, loaded lipstick, razor blades, brass knuckles, crack pipes, drug paraphernalia, illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, hair picks, cameras (unless used by media with prior approval of Judge), recording devices (unless evidence in a case or media and prior approval), glass bottles containing liquids, toy guns which give the appearance of being real, tools (screwdrivers, etc.) unless being used by maintenance personnel.

EXCEPTION: Handicapped persons in wheelchairs may have their necessary personal items attached to the wheelchair. Other items not listed may be scrutinized by security and a determination will be made by the supervisor as to allow such items in the Courthouse.