Registration is open for the 2023 Court Safety and Security Conference, which will be held March 15 – 17 at the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley.
Since 2009, this event has been organized by the Director of State Courts Office in partnership with the National Criminal Justice Training Center at Fox Valley Technical College. The conference brings together state and tribal judges and court staff, law enforcement officers, court security personnel, clerks of court, emergency management leaders, and other stakeholders with an interest in court security.
“This is a great opportunity for judges and others to learn more about personal safety and steps that can be taken to help ensure courts are operating safely, even in light of potentially challenging circumstances,” said Director of State Courts Hon. Randy R. Koschnick.
The conference includes presentations on a range of issues, such as security screening, handling protests, the role of the bailiff, recognizing mental illness and de-escalation, and personal safety at home and when traveling. Other sessions address how to effectively identify threats, potentially relocate court services in an emergency, and how to leverage technology to promote safety during a high-profile trial.
A limited number of scholarships are available for judges and court personnel to cover the conference registration fee of $295, with priority given to first time attendees and members of county teams. Registration fee scholarships should be requested during the registration process and must be submitted by Jan. 27.
Scholarships do not cover travel, lodging, or meal expenses. However, judges may apply to have these expenses reimbursed as allowed under state court travel and expense policies and procedures. As in past years, participants are encouraged to attend as part of a county team. Even if attending as a team, please note that all team members must register individually for the conference.
Attendees should make their own lodging arrangements at the Hilton Appleton Paper Valley. The hotel room block at the state rate expires on Feb. 14. Registration and lodging information is available here.
Safety considerations for work and home
Online/home office
- Verify the source of e-mail messages and avoid opening suspicious attachments
- Work through a VPN (Virtual Private Network), which helps protect data and devices
- Use strong and unique passwords
Home
- Consider installation of controllable security cameras
- Take garage door openers out of cars when parked on the street or in driveway
- Only display addresses on mailboxes, not names
Courtroom
- Lock ALL courtroom doors when not in use
- Test duress alarms twice yearly by the person who will be using them and monthly by I.T
- Request additional security for high-risk trials or high-risk individuals
Chambers
- Secure all doors leading to chambers and courtrooms from public areas
- Avoid using the main public courthouse entrance, public hallways, public elevators, and inmate routes of travel whenever possible
Courthouse
- Park in a secure location
- Develop a mail policy that includes a training to opening with gloves/mask in a private room
- Consider wrist fobs/fob access all doors
- Develop a policy for wearing and updating ID badges
Additional court system resources and information on personal safety and court security can be found on CourtNet.
The State Bar of Wisconsin’s InsideTrack newsletter also featured an article with Practical Tips to Increase Your Home Security, along with information about home security services available to all Bar members at a discount rate.
Return to issue homeThird Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov