Courts, Security, and Disabilities
June 27, 2024, A Question of Ethics Conversation Episode
Robert Granzow, director of the Office of Judicial District Security at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, talks about safety, security, and dealing with disabilities in the court environment.
Equal access to justice can only be realized in an environment of safety and security. We must ensure the safety of those with and those without disabilities. These can include physical, traumatic, and psychological disabilities, as well as mental illness, congenital birth defects, personality disorders, addictive disabilities, and cultural and language differences.
We live in a rapidly changing threat landscape. Courts need to conduct a comprehensive security assessment, preferably using a gap analysis. Courts must have political buy-in from the highest level. We need to make data-driven decisions.
Solutions include training in de-escalation and non-escalation; recognizing the signs of people in crisis; and using new classes of employees, such as court navigators. We need to consider innovative and technological solutions, such as expanded use of videoconferencing, innovative security wanding techniques, and use of AI to identify litigants who are suspicious.
You don’t want to miss this insightful discussion.
Joining the conversation:
Robert Granzow, Director, Office of Judicial District Security at the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
Rick Pierce, Judicial Programs Administrator, Administrative Office of the Pennsylvania Courts
Roger Rand, IT Manager, Multnomah Circuit Court, Portland, Oregon
Courtney Whiteside, Director, St. Louis County Municipal Court
Stacy Worby, State Jury Coordinator, Alaska Court System
Erika Schmid, Supervisor, Multnomah Circuit Court, Portland, Oregon
Peter Kiefer, Host, Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Series
Creadell Webb, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, 1st Judicial District of Pennsylvania
Watch or listen to the Question of Ethics Conversation
Become Part of the Conversation
Join the Question of Ethics Conversation held after the Ethics Subcommittee meetings every fourth Thursday of the month at 2:00 ET.
Leave a question or comment about the episode at ethics@nacmnet.org
