COURT SECURITY

The Cecil County Sheriff's Office with the assistance of the Circuit Court Bailiff’s is responsible for keeping Cecil County Circuit Court a safe and secure environment. These security measures are for everyone that enters the courthouse and are not intended to harass, exclude or inconvenience anyone. Cooperation is requested of everyone in order to achieve this goal.

PERSON(S) ENTERING THE COURTHOUSE ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH OF THEIR PERSON AND BELONGINGS.

METAL DETECTORS

When you enter the courthouse you must go through a metal detector operated by security personnel. If requested you may have to empty your pockets and place the contents in a container for further inspection. In order for this to be an efficient process the following guidelines should be used. In general, any item(s) that could be used to harm or injure another person are not permitted and/or any other item a member of the courthouse security staff perceives as a threat to the safety and security of the building and the persons within the courthouse.

PROHIBITED ITEMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

• No weapons of any type;
• No Firearms, ammunition and explosive devices;
• No cutting instruments of any type - including knives, scissors, box cutters, work tools, handcuff keys, knitting needles, or anything with a cutting edge, etc.;
• No Pepper spray, mace or any other chemical defense sprays;
• No illegal substances, including illegal drugs;
• No Electronic devices, including games, radio, audio equipment, or similar devices designed to receive or transmit commercial signals of any type;
• NO cellular (cell phones) telephones, personal assistance devices (PDA's), Palm Notepads, Blackberries, laptop computers, pagers, iPods, or Walkmans (or any equivalent MP3 or CD players or recorders);
• No photographic or audio-visual equipment of any type - includes cameras, video or audio recorders or players except as provided in Maryland Rule 16-109. (Exceptions for camera’s (NOT cell phone cameras) will be made for weddings only)

PROCEDURE UPON ENTERING THE COURTHOUSE:

All persons entering the courthouse are asked to:

• Empty their pockets and place the contents in a container
• Please remove jewelry (watches, etc.) before entering the metal detector. This will save time and prevent having to be scanned with a hand-held wand
• If the metal detector sounds an alert, security personnel may perform a scan using a hand-held wand
• Before leaving the security screening area, persons are reminded to retrieve all personal possessions
• Security personnel WILL NOT hold items while you are in the courthouse; they are not responsible for anything left at the security
  screening area
• Individuals possessing any of the above prohibited items will be required to leave the courthouse and return without them in their possession
  

Food items and drinks are prohibited from being brought into the courtrooms. Proper Attire is required in the Courtrooms: No shorts, tank tops, or beachwear. Name tags should be attached to briefcases and the like. If needed, tags are available at the courthouse entrance.

Thank you for your cooperation!