The Court Security Task Force, under the leadership of Chief Justice Jean Toal and Chief Robert Stewart of SLED, has recommended establishment of county court security committees to address courthouse security concerns. The attached order from the Chief Justice establishes local court security committees chaired by a circuit or family court judge along with the county sheriff as vice-chair. Each county committee shall include at a minimum the County Clerk of Court, Chief Magistrate, Solicitor, Public Defender, a Chief of Police and Emergency Preparedness Manager.

The Supreme Court of South Carolina

Re: County Court Security Committees

ORDER

Pursuant to the provisions of S. C. CONST. Art. V, § 4,

IT IS ORDERED THAT each county shall establish a Court Security Committee to address courthouse security concerns. Each county committee will be chaired by a Circuit or Family Court Judge as designated below and co-chaired by the County Sheriff. The committee members shall include at a minimum the County Clerk of Court, Chief Magistrate, a Chief of Police, Solicitor, Public Defender and Emergency Preparedness Manager.

Each Court Security Committee shall be responsible for performing a security audit of each building where court is held. A comprehensive checklist will be provided to each committee to perform the assessment. The committee will also be responsible for developing a security plan for every facility where court is held.

The following judges shall chair the respective county security committee:

The State Court Administrator in coordination with the State Law Enforcement Division shall provide additional guidance to facilitate the process.

AND IT IS SO ORDERED.

Columbia, S.C.
August 31, 2005