Local Rule 103: POLICY REGARDING WEAPONS IN THE COURTHOUSE AND COURTROOMS

RULE 103 (Fed. R. Civ. P. 83)

POLICY REGARDING WEAPONS IN THE COURTHOUSE AND COURTROOMS

(a) Prohibition on Unauthorized Weapons. Only duly authorized law enforcement officers are allowed to carry weapons in the United States Courthouses or any building housing a Court of the United States within the Eastern District of California. Only the United States Marshal, deputy marshals, and court security officers are authorized to carry weapons within the confines of the courtrooms, secured judicial corridors, and chambers of the Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Bankruptcy Judges. The United States Marshal is ordered to provide appropriate security to ensure against the introduction of unauthorized weapons or other dangerous weapons into the United States Courthouses, courtrooms, or any building housing a Court of the United States and/or any grounds appurtenant to such building within the Eastern District of California.

(b) Authorization for Weapon Possession. In high security situations, or when the United States Marshal otherwise deems it appropriate, the United States Marshal may authorize a duly authorized law enforcement officer to carry a weapon in the courtroom, provided the law enforcement officer wears an identification badge issued by the United States Marshal. Law enforcement officers so authorized to carry weapons within the courtroom shall immediately identify themselves to every United States Marshal and/or court security officer on duty within that courtroom.

(c) Use of Weapons in Evidence. Before any weapon is introduced as evidence in a court proceeding, said weapon shall first be rendered inoperable to the satisfaction of the United States Marshal and appropriately marked as evidence. In all actions in which a weapon is to be introduced as evidence, that fact shall be made known to the United States Marshal and/or court security officer on duty before the introduction of the weapon into the courtroom. At that time and place, the weapon shall be inspected by the United States Marshal and/or court security officer to ensure that it is in fact inoperable.