Court Security

Lawyer accused of threat to release judge’s nude photos can be sued for punitive damages, court rules

A Florida judge can seek punitive damages against a lawyer she accused of threatening to release her nude photos unless she acquiesced to his demands in her child custody case, according to a Dec. 9 decision.

Dec 14, 2021 2:20 PM CST

Jail guard is shot and killed at courthouse after officer fires on inmate who grabbed a weapon

A jail guard was shot and killed in an Altoona, Pennsylvania, courthouse Wednesday when a police officer fired on an inmate who had grabbed the guard’s weapon.

Nov 19, 2021 11:21 AM CST

Another lawyer drops his pants to get through courthouse metal detector

A Pittsburgh lawyer was charged with disorderly conduct Wednesday after he took off his pants to go through a metal detector at a downtown courthouse. The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office in Pennsylvania charged Jeffrey Pollock, 59, and issued a press release.

Nov 11, 2021 10:10 AM CST

Inmate moons judge during video hearing after he was ordered held without bail

A Massachusetts inmate showed his displeasure by mooning the judge last week after she ordered him held without bail. Justin MacLean, 37, may face additional charges for dropping his pants and exposing his buttocks at the end of the video hearing, the Eagle-Tribune reports. MacLean participated in the hearing remotely…

Oct 12, 2021 4:27 PM CDT

Judge on top New York court is reportedly banned from courthouse after refusing to reveal COVID-19 vaccine status

Just one judge in New York’s court system has refused to comply with the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Oct 6, 2021 10:36 AM CDT

California is poised to permit remote court hearings through at least mid-2023

The San Diego Superior Court system has utilized remote hearings amid the COVID-19 pandemic to keep court business moving forward. Under a bill the California legislature approved unanimously last week, courts across the country’s most populous state would be permitted to continue hosting remote hearings in civil proceedings.

Sep 16, 2021 2:10 PM CDT

Supreme Court among buildings evacuated amid bomb threat investigation

Updated: U.S. Capitol police on Thursday morning were urging people to stay away from the area near the Library of Congress as they conducted an “active bomb threat investigation.”

Aug 19, 2021 12:18 PM CDT

Some Texas courts agree to courthouse mask mandates despite governor’s contrary order

Courts in at least four counties in Texas will require masks in courthouses despite an executive order by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott that bans mask mandates.

Aug 11, 2021 12:52 PM CDT

New Jersey man gets prison time for posting federal judge’s home address on Twitter and Facebook

A New Jersey man has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for posting online the home address of a federal judge he deemed to be moving too slowly on his case.

Aug 3, 2021 1:08 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Husch Blackwell merges with boutique firm; man sentenced for threat to Flynn judge

Husch Blackwell will merge with boutique firm Husch Blackwell has announced a merger with a health law boutique that represents hospitals and health care systems in the Boston area. The merger with Summit Health Law Partners gives Husch Blackwell offices in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island—its first offices in the…

Jul 20, 2021 3:39 PM CDT

Unvaccinated lawyer has to wear mask at client’s trial after top state court refuses to intervene

A criminal defense lawyer in Augusta, Maine, has to wear a mask in his client’s jury trial this week after the state’s top court refused to consider his claim that the face covering would prejudice jurors.

Jul 20, 2021 1:08 PM CDT

Federal judiciary supports legislation to prevent access to judges’ information

In the wake of increased threats and attacks, the federal judiciary is supporting legislation that would protect judges’ personal information in federal databases and restrict data aggregators from reselling that information.

Jul 15, 2021 12:15 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Supreme Court limits patent board’s power; gun-pointing lawyer explains plea

SCOTUS limits power of Patent Trial and Appeal Board The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that administrative judges on the Patent Trial and Appeal Board act as “principal officers” who must be appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate under the appointments clause. The court said the system…

Jun 21, 2021 4:01 PM CDT

Judge pursues criminal charges against 3 US marshals after underling won’t disclose COVID-19 vaccination status

A federal judge in South Dakota has said three supervisory U.S. marshals will face criminal charges after an underling refused to disclose her COVID-19 vaccination status and left the courthouse with three defendants scheduled for court hearings.

Jun 15, 2021 10:16 AM CDT

Success of ABA Day 2021 is a blueprint for year-round advocacy

On April 20 and 21, thousands joined the American Bar Association online during its annual advocacy event, ABA Day, to discuss the need for robust legal aid funding and increased judicial security.

May 5, 2021 2:10 PM CDT