Administrative Order No. 1-33.2

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT

IN AND FOR HARDEE COUNTY, FLORIDA

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 1-33.2

SECURITY WITHIN THE HARDEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

WHEREAS, threats and acts of violence directed at private citizens, witnesses jurors, litigants attorneys, court personnel, and judges in Court facilities within the State of Florida and throughout the United States, compels the conclusion that there is an immediate and urgent need to substantially enhance security within the Hardee County Courthouse;

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT:

1. The Hardee County Courthouse is designated as a SECURE AREA.

2. The introduction of any item defined in section 790.001 Florida Statutes, into a secure area is prohibited.

3. No person shall possess a firearm in any secure area except:

a) Bailiffs.

b) Deputy Sheriffs and certified correctional officers temporarily assigned to assist in maintaining security.

c) Law Enforcement Officers responding to calls for assistance in secure area.

d) Law Enforcement Officers in uniform on official business.

e) Judges.

Contracted armed security pick-up of clerk’s deposits.

4. Law enforcement officers in uniform on official law enforcement business are hereby authorized to wear a TASER into the Hardee County Courthouse.

5. Any person desiring to enter a secure area shall be subject to search of person and property, including the use of electronic or other specialized equipment at security station, except:

a) Employees physically located in the Hardee County Courthouse who exhibit photo-identification cards issued by the Clerk.

b) Members of the Florida Bar who exhibit photo-identification cards issued by the Clerk.

c) Any person temporarily exempted by personnel operating security stations in order to respond to any emergency in a secure area.

d) Persons deemed necessary at the discretion of the Hardee County Security Committee.

e) Photo-identification cards (excluding state, county employees or officials) will be issued at a cost of ($5.00) per card issued to new Bar Members and no charge for issuing renewal cards.

The Hardee County Board of County Commissioners is directed to provide personnel to operate electronic or other specialized security equipment. The Board of County Commissioners shall have discretion to implement this directive by certified law enforcement personnel, or private contract security personnel.

7. Anyone who refuses to submit to search as described in paragraph 5 shall be denied access to the secure area.

8. The Sheriff of Hardee County shall establish procedures of the search of persons and property as outlined in paragraph 5, and submit written procedures to Security Committee. The Security Committee shall be designated to review all security related issues as needed. Security Committee shall consist of Circuit Judge (designated Chairman of Committee), County Judge, County Manager, County Clerk, Hardee County Sheriff, Wauchula Chief of Police, Building & Grounds Superintendent of Hardee County, representative from the State Attorney’s Office, representative from Public Defender’s Office.

The following shall be posted at the public’s entrance to the Courthouse:

FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC, ALL AREAS WITHIN THIS BUILDING HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED AS SECURE AREAS. ALL PERSONS DESIRING TO ENTER MUST PASS THROUGH A MAGNETOMETER (METAL DETECTOR). IF THE DETECTOR REGISTERS, THAT PERSON WILL BE SUBJECT TO A LIMITED SEARCH. ALL PACKAGES, BRIEFCASES, POCKETBOOKS OR OTHER ITEMS CARRIED BY A PERSON MUST BE OFFERED FOR INSPECTION BY X-RAY IF SUCH PERSON WISHES TO ENTER. ALL WEAPONS, INCLUDING LEGALLY AUTHORIZED FIREARMS, MUST BE SURRENDERED PRIOR TO GAINING ENTRY AND ALL LEGAL WEAPONS MAY BE RECLAIMED UPON LEAVING. ILLEGAL WEAPONS OR OTHER CONTRABAND DISCOVERED IN THE COURSE OF THESE SEARCH PROCEDURES WILL BE SEIZED AND PROSECUTION MAY RESULT.

As the official charged by law with the responsibility to maintain security within the Hardee County Courthouse, the Sheriff of Hardee County is authorized to determine the hours of operation of the security station, and to develop written policies for the operation thereof.

This Order shall have effect upon entry.

Administrative Order No. 1-33.1 is hereby SUPERCEDED.

DONE AND ORDERED on this 6^th day of January 2004.

Ronald A. Herring

Chief Judge