AlleganyCountySheriffs Office Circuit Court Security

Hours Of Operation

Monday through Friday 8AM to 430PM

*Hours of operation are subject to change in conjunction with State and County Holidays and inclement weather. In the event of inclement weather closure, delay in opening or early closure the announcement will be made on local radio stations or call 301-777-5959.

History

One of the primary responsibilities of the Sheriff?s Office is the security of the Circuit Court System. Since 1791, Deputies have been assigned duty within the Circuit Court of Allegany County and continue to provide a safe, orderly and secure Allegany County Circuit Court and Circuit Court Annex.

Duties

The duties of personnel assigned to the courthouse include, but are not limited to, searching all individuals entering the courthouse for weapons and other items which are classified as contraband immediately upon entering the building while passing through a magnetometer (metal detector) which is monitored by security personnel whenever the courthouse is open to the public. All packages, bags, purses, mail and deliveries are scanned thru an X-Ray Machine. In addition, there are also security cameras and alarms located throughout the building which are also monitored at all times. Routine patrols of the building and the grounds are made, in addition to, providing security for the Judges and creating a law enforcement presence within the court rooms during trials.

Staff

Currently, the Allegany County Circuit Courthouse and Getty Annex is staffed by three sworn Deputies and seven Court Security Officers. Corporal Craig Bridges is the Security Supervisor at the Courthouse and Annex and oversees the day to day security needs at the courthouse under the direction of the Sheriff.

Notice of Search

If you have business within the Circuit Courthouse, please be advised that you will be required to allow security personnel to search all personal belongings and that you will have to pass through the magnetometer and x-ray machine as you enter the building. You should also avoid bringing any of the following items into the courthouse as they are considered contraband, and will be subject to seizure by the security staff: Firearms, knives, pagers, cellular telephones, personal defense chemical sprays (mace), scissors, cameras, tape recorders, chained wallets, nail files, laser pointers, and any item or substance which is classified under Maryland Law as illegal.

All persons entering the Courthouse and Courthouse Annex with the exceptions of Judges of the State of Maryland, On Duty Uniformed Police and On Duty Plain Clothed Police with Badge and I.D.Card will be required to pass thru the Security Stations at the entrance of both buildings. All persons entering and their items will be searched or access to the Courthouse and Courthouse Annex will not be granted. Deliveries of court supplies, U.S. Mail and other delivery companies such as but not limited to UPS and FedEx are subject to the same security screening and search policies.

Handicapped individuals may use the rear entrance to the Courthouse however they must be accompanied by a Security Officer or Deputy Sheriff once in the building to the Security Station to be screened before being granted access to the other areas of the Courthouse. If you have a medical alert card concerning the use of these devices please bring it with you and present it to the Security Officers upon your visit to the Courthouse and Courthouse Annex.

AlleganyCountyCircuit Court Cell Phone and Electronic Devices Policy

MD Rule 16-110

Possession and Use of Electronic Devices

  1. Generally

    Subject to inspection by court security personnel and the restrictions and prohibitions set forth in this section, a person may (A) bring an electronic device into a court facility and (B) use the electronic device for the purpose of sending and receiving phone calls and electronic messages and for any other lawful purpose not otherwise prohibited.

    An electronic device means

    1. a cell phone, a computer, and any other device that is capable of transmitting, receiving, or recording messages, images, sounds, data, or other information by electronic means or that, in appearance, purports to be a cell phone, computer, or such other device; and
    2. a camera, regardless of whether it operates electronically, mechanically, or otherwise and regardless of whether images are recorded by using digital technology, film, light-sensitive plates, or other means.

  2. Restrictions and Prohibitions

    NOTE: In addition to the following restrictions and prohibitions, each local administrative judge may impose certain restrictions on the possession and use of cell phones and other electronic devices in certain areas within the court facility as deemed necessary and appropriate for that jurisdiction. A notice outlining those restrictions will be posted in each courthouse when necessary.

    1. Non-Disclosure to witnesses

      An electronic device may not be used to facilitate or achieve a violation of a court order concerning non-disclosure of information to a witness whom the court has excluded from a proceeding.

    2. Photographs and Video

      Except as permitted by Maryland Rule or expressly permitted by the local administrative judge, a person may not

      1. take or record a photograph, video, or other visualimage in a court facility, or
      2. transmit a photograph, video, or other visual image from or within a court facility.

    3. Interference with Court Proceedings or Work

      An electronic device shall not be used in a manner that interferes with court proceedings or the work of court personnel.

    4. Jury Deliberation Room

      An electronic device may not be brought into a jury deliberation room

    5. Courtroom
      1. Except with the express permission of the presiding judge or as otherwise permitted by Maryland Rule, all electronic devices inside a courtroom shall remain off and no electronic device may be used to receive, transmit, or record sound, visual images, data, or other information.
      2. Subject to section (F), the court shall liberally allow the attorneys in a proceeding currently being heard, their employees, and agents to make reasonable and lawful use of an electronic device in connection with the proceeding. (F) Security or Privacy Issues in a Particular Case Upon a finding that the circumstances of a particular case raise special security or privacy issues that justify a restriction on the possession of electronic devices, the local administrative judge or the presiding judge may enter an order limiting or prohibiting the possession of electronic devices in a courtroom or other designated areas of the court facility. The order shall provide for notice of the designated areas and for the collection of the devices and their return when the individual who possessed the device leaves the courtroom or other area. No liability shall accrue to the security personnel or any other court official or employee for any loss or misplacement of or damage to the device.
  3. Violation of Rule

    1. Security personnel or other court personnel may confiscate and retain an electronic device that is used in violation of Maryland Rule 16-110, subject to further order of the court or until the owner leaves the building. No liability shall accrue to the security personnel or any other court official or employee for any loss or misplacement of or damage to the device.
    2. An individual who willfully violates the Maryland Rule on cell phone or other electronic device usage or any reasonable limitation imposed by the local administrative judge or the presiding judge may be found in contempt of court and sanctioned.

Contact Information
Corporal Craig Bridges
Circuit Court for Allegany County
20 Washington Street
Cumberland, Maryland 21502
301-777-2271 Security Desk