(a) Entry of Federal Courthouse Buildings.
All persons wishing to enter a federal building housing a United States Court within
the Southern District of West Virginia (the building) must first properly clear the
security screening post located in the main lobby at each facility. Court security
officers staff the security screening post during normal business hours. The purpose
for the security screening post is to ensure that no weapons, including guns, knives,
explosives or other items that are deemed to be a possible weapon, are brought into
the building. Any person refusing to submit to such inspection, including inspection
of all carried items, shall be denied entrance to the building.
(b) Persons Requiring Access.
All persons, other than those who are stationed in the building, having business in
the building (i.e. contractors, work crews, repair persons) shall enter and leave the
court facilities through the designated screening posts. Persons needing to use other
entrances must make arrangements with court security prior to bypassing the
screening posts. Workers seeking to work after hours must obtain prior approval
from the appropriate officials. The court security officers are charged with the
enforcement of these regulations.
(c) Weapons.
The United States Marshal and Deputy United States Marshals may possess and
oversee possession of firearms or other weapons in the building. Only members of
the United States Marshals Service and those specifically designated by that service
may possess firearms and other weapons in the space occupied and controlled by
this court.
(d) Identification Card.
All employees will use an identification card issued by the employee=s agency.
Employees will be required to display or show the identification card to the court
security officers to pass through the security screening post. If an employee fails to
present their issued identification card, he or she must successfully pass through the
security screening post.
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(e) Wireless Communication Devices.
Only attorneys, court reporters, probation officers, and court interpreters
conducting official business in a federal courthouse in this District are permitted
limited use of wireless communication devices. Audio or video recording or the
taking of any photographs with such devices while in the courthouse is prohibited.
Wireless communication devices must be turned off or rendered silent while in a
courtroom. Wireless communication devices are not permitted in a grand jury room
while the grand jury is in session unless utilized by an agent or representative of
the United Sates Attorney=s Office for evidence presentation. Each judicial officer
may modify this rule as circumstances warrant.
Any other individual who brings a wireless communication device into a federal
courthouse in this District, excepting federal employees, elevator response
personnel and PBX telephone technicians, will be required by the court security
officers to deposit such device in storage facilities as provided at the front entry of
the building, to be retrieved upon leaving the courthouse.
Appropriate signage will be posted outside the courthouse and at the security posts,
published on the court=s external web site and in notices provided to jurors.
The court authorizes the United States Marshal to allow wireless communication
devices for emergency situations as deemed appropriate.
