Court Security Information FAQs

Court Security

The Superior Court of California, County of Tulare, has full-time security personnel who are stationed at the main entrance of the courthouse. Our goal is to ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and court facilities while facilitating your entry. 

All persons entering the courthouse are subject to search. If you exit the courthouse and return, you will go through the security process again. Plan ahead to allow enough time to get through security.

Entrance Screening Process

The security screening process requires and includes, but is not limited to, passage through weapons screening device such as a metal detector, an examination of all hand-carried items sent through an x-ray machine, and a hand-wand and/or manual inspection.

Upon entrance, security screening personnel will provide guidance through the screening process. All persons entering the courthouse can expect to empty their pockets and place all contents into a plastic container for further inspection and screening. Items such as overcoats, purses, briefcases, backpacks, laptops, and parcels will be placed on the conveyor belt for x-ray screening, where applicable.

If you have a medical concern or a medical condition requiring the need for food, liquid, or other item, discuss them with the security officer.

All persons can expect to walk through a metal detector device. If the x-ray machine or metal detector produces an alarm, security personnel will conduct further screening. Security personnel may also conduct a physical search of personal items to determine the cause of the alarm. Individuals possessing prohibited items will be advised to take the item(s) out of the facility and back to their vehicle before entrance into the courthouse is permitted.

Additionally, no liquids of any kind are to be sent through the X-Ray machine. Prospective Jurors summoned by the court to report for jury service, may bring in one (1) soft, plastic factory sealed water bottle of 20 ounces or less and/or (1) clear empty, non-metal refillable. Summoned jurors may also bring in small snack items and/or lunch bags. Lunch bags may be subject to search at the discretion of court security.

Please comply with all requests of the security officer. 

Items Prohibited by Statute

Any item or article having the potential to inflict or cause physical harm shall be inspected to determine whether it has been filed, sharpened, honed, or in any other manner altered to the extent that it meets the definition of prohibited weapons as defined in Penal Code Sections 12020 and 171(b).

Prohibited weapons include but are not limited to firearms, stun guns or tasers, switch blade knives/gravity knives having a blade longer than two inches, Oleoresin Capsicum (Pepper Spray), tear gas and explosives (not an exhaustive list).

In addition to prohibited items noted above, an item deemed potentially offensive and/or poses a safety hazard as determined by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, will not be allowed into the court facility.

Other Items That Are Prohibited

No weapons are allowed within any court facility including persons who are holders of concealed weapons permit (CCW), except those legally possessed by judicial officers. Peace officers who are engaged in the duties of their employment while at a court facility will be allowed to possess employer approved firearms and other weapons in a manner consistent with their employment duties, requirements, and limitations.

Court Etiquette

No person shall appear in Court barefoot, shirtless, wearing a tank top, wearing sunglasses, or dress in any manner reflecting poorly upon the dignity of the Court and its decorum. The Bailiffs of the Court are to remove any person violating this rule. This rule does not limit any Judge from additionally prescribing appropriate attire or conduct rules in the courtroom.

Cellular phones, blue tooth earpieces, cameras and other portable electronic and/or recording devices not specifically authorized by a Judge or granted leave by the Court for use while Court is in session, must be turned off or silenced prior to entering a courtroom. Any use of electronic devices in contravention of Local Rule 106 may result in the imposition of lawful penalties and sanctions including contempt of court citation.

 Any device that appears capable of photographing, recording, or broadcasting is subject to confiscation by the Bailiffs of the Court. Media requests are an exception to this restriction which may be submitted in accordance with California Rules of Court 1.150(e).

 For reasons of safety and security, all persons appearing before the Court are asked to keep their hands in plain sight.