Ky. Sup. Ct. Order 2025-46 (introduction)

Supreme Court of Kentucky

2025-46

ORDER

IN RE: RULES OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES OF THE COURT

OF JUSTICE, PART X, SECTION VI, COURT SECURITY

Pursuant to Sections 110(5)(b) and 116 of the Constitution of Kentucky and

SCR 1.010, it is HEREBY ORDERED that Part X, Section VI of the Rules of

Administrative Procedure is adopted as follows:

SECTION I – GENERAL

1.01 Purpose

The purpose of this Administrative Procedure is to establish security standards

and policies to ensure court facilities and offices throughout the Commonwealth

are secure and safe places to conduct the administration of justice.

1.02 Applicability

This Administrative Procedure applies to all space occupied by the Kentucky Court

of Justice pursuant to KRS Chapter 26A.

1.03 Definitions

As used throughout this Administrative Procedure, Part X: Court Facilities,

Section VI, Security the following definitions apply:

(A) "AOC" means the Administrative Office of the Courts.

(B) "AP" means the Administrative Procedures of the Court of Justice as

adopted by the Supreme Court of Kentucky, comprising the administrative

policies of the KCOJ.

(C) "AP Part X" means the Administrative Procedure of the Court of Justice,

Part X: Court Facilities.

(D) "AP Part X, Section VI" means this Administrative Procedure of the Court of

Justice, Part X: Court Facilities, Section VI, Court Security.

(E) "Certified Court Security Officer," means a non-elected individual who

meets the requirements of KRS 15.3971, who has been appointed under

KRS 70.030 by an elected sheriff, and who has been certified as a court

security officer under KRS 15.380-15.404.

(F) "Court Facility" means the land and buildings owned or operated by the

AOC or a local unit of government in which space for the Kentucky Court of

Justice is provided pursuant to KRS Chapter 26A.

(G) "Court Security Coordinator" means a licensed special law enforcement

officer (“SLEO”) under KRS 61.900 through 61.930 employed by the AOC to

provide a variety of security services to the KCOJ.

(H) "Court Security Personnel" means any of the following individually,

collectively, or any combination thereof:

(1) Sheriff or deputy sheriff;

(2) Certified court security officer;

(3) Court security coordinator; and

(4) Any law enforcement officer or certified peace officer designated to

provide security services in a court facility or for a court proceeding

under KRS 70.284, KRS 21A.090, KRS 24A.140 or KRS 29A.180.

(I) "Deputy Sheriff,” means a non-elected individual who meets the

requirements of KRS 61.300, who has been appointed as a deputy sheriff

by an elected sheriff under KRS 70.030, and who has been certified as

required by KRS 15.380.

(J) "Electroshock Weapon" means a handheld device used to incapacitate a

person by delivering a high-voltage, low-current electrical charge.

(K) "Employee" means an individual hired into a position in the KCOJ, whether

tenured or non-tenured, for which he or she is compensated on a full-time

or part-time basis.

(L) "Event Venue" means space where an event sponsored by the KCOJ or

attended by KCOJ officials or employees takes place.

(M) "Handgun" means a firearm designed to be usable with only one hand.

(N) "Handheld Metal Detector" means a portable magnetometer that court

security personnel use at access control checkpoints to conduct security

screenings of individuals.

(O) "Illegal Item" means an item that is unlawful to possess pursuant to state

or federal law.

(P) "KCOJ" means the Kentucky Court of Justice.

(Q) "Local Unit of Government" means a county, city, urban-county

government, special district, or corporate entity created for the purpose of

constructing or holding title to a court facility.

(R) "Magnetometer" means an instrument used to detect metal or magnetic

materials as is commonly known as a metal detector. In court facilities they

are used to detect concealed weapons or other contraband.

(S) "Mobility Device" means a wheelchair, scooter, walker, crutch, cane, or

other similar device designed for use by persons with disabilities or needing

mobility assistance.

(T) "Office" means any premises other than a court facility that is owned,

leased, or occupied by the KCOJ.

(U) "Presiding Judge," means the judge of the court where court security

personnel attend and keep order in accordance with KRS 64.092.

(V) "Prohibited Item" means a weapon not authorized by Section 2, illegal item,

tool, club or striking device, sporting equipment, self-defense item, or other

item prohibited by this AP Part X, Section VI or other AP, the KCOJ

Personnel Policies, standards developed by the AOC Division of Court

Security, local court order, or local ordinance.

(W) "Secure Area" means an area within a court facility or office that is secured

behind a locked door with access control.

(X) "Security Incident" means a threat to or assault against the court or court

community, including court personnel, litigants, attorneys, witnesses,

jurors or others using the courthouse. It also includes any event or

threatening situation that disrupts the court or compromises the safety of

the court or the court community. A security incident is not limited to a

violation of law but may include any act or circumstance that may interfere

with the administration of justice.

(Y) "Security Liaison" means the Chief Circuit Judge or designee responsible

for overseeing security-related matters and executing the processes and

responsibilities outlined in this AP Part X, Section VI.

(Z) "Service Animal" means any dog that has been individually trained to do

work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, and

the work or task performed by the dog is directly related to the disability.

(AA) "Sheriff" means, in accordance with KRS 67B.020, the sheriff of a county or

the sheriff in a county containing a consolidated local government who has

been duly elected by qualified voters as provided in Section 99 of the

Constitution of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

(BB) "Walk-Through Metal Detector" means a magnetometer that an individual

walks through to detect metal magnetic materials on or being carried by

the individual.

(CC) "Weapon" means an item that can cause death or injury, including but not

limited to any form of an explosive, firearm, knife, blade or other sharp

object, electroshock weapon, and pepper spray.

(DD) "X-ray Machine" means a cabinet x-ray system that contains an x-ray tube

installed within a shielded enclosure, also called a closed x-ray system,

used to screen outerwear, packages, briefcases, purses, and other bags for

weapons, bomb components, and prohibited or illegal items.

SECTION II – WEAPONS IN COURT FACILITIES AND OFFICES

2.01 Weapons Prohibition

(A) Weapons are not permitted in any KCOJ facility, office, or leased space.

(B) Exemptions