What is covered under this topic?

This topic covers planning, designing, and implementing responses to potential emergencies and threats to the security of court facilities, court staff, and the public. It includes (1) helping courts audit their emergency management plans for all emergencies, including violent courtroom situations; (2) building partnerships with state and local emergency planning agencies; (3) strategies to ensure system-wide emergency planning at all levels of courts; and (4) developing an implementation plan.

Why is this a priority for the courts?

Emergency management is critical to court performance. For many years, court leaders have been concerned with ensuring the safety of all who use the nation's courthouses. The 1990 Trial Court Performance Standards required courts to ensure the safety of their facilities. In 1995, the National Association for Court Management produced the Court Security Guide, and several states followed with their own security manuals. This focus on emergency management increased exponentially following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Since then, the court community has heightened its efforts to address safety issues across the board. For example, the September 2002 9-11 Summit brought together court leaders from across the country to discuss emergency management and pool the knowledge of court professionals who experienced emergencies firsthand. Judicial organizations also responded by offering programs on, creating committees to specifically address, and writing journal and newsletter articles on emergency management. As a result of this increased activity, many resources are available to help all courts ensure the safety and security of staff and visitors alike.

References

• The National Center for State Courts, Continuity of Court Operations project has developed a COOP Planning Guide, now available online at www.ncsconline.org/coop.
• Commission on Trial Court Performance Standards. Trial Court Performance Standards and Measurement System Implementation Manual. Williamsburg, VA: National Center for State Courts, 1997. (KF8732 .A884 1997)
  
• Friesen, Jr., Ernest C. “Internal Organization and Procedures of the Courts.” In Theodore J. Fetter, ed., State Courts: A Blueprint for the Future." Williamsburg, VA: National Center for State Courts, 1978. (KF8736 .A17 1978)
  
• National Association for Court Management. Court Security Guide. Williamsburg, VA: National Association for Court Management, 1995. (NA4471 .C68)
  
• NineEleven Summit, September 2002. Web site includes session transcripts and an extensive array of resources.

**To explore ways to improve your performance in this area, see Implement Solutions .