Hours

The courthouse is open to the public Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.  Please note that the Clerk of Court’s office is open to the public Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.

Security Requirements

Security Entry Requirements

First and foremost we check bags, deliveries, hand-carried items and people to ensure the safety of the court, court employees and visitors.

The second point is how we conduct these checks. By following a few simple rules and tips, you can quickly get through the entry points.

  • Have everything out of your pockets. Many items contain metal that we don’t always think about. Cigarettes, medications in blister packs, chewing gum wrapped in foil, underwire bras, etc. All of these can trigger the metal detector.
  • During the colder weather if you have a large number of items in your coat pockets, simply run your coat through the x-ray machine.
  • Advise security personnel if you have any type of court ordered monitoring equipment on your person or in your personal effects.
  • We are seeing belts, suspenders, shoes and bib overalls containing lots of metal. If you choose to wear these, expect them to set off the alarm and require a wand check.
  • If you still can’t make it through, you will have to be checked individually. Follow the instructions of the security personnel. During this check you will be asked to produce items from your pockets to show what is there. Try and remember these procedures are for your protection and cooperate with them.

Prohibited and Permitted Items in Courthouses

Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and items that are seemingly harmless, but may be used as a weapon, referred to as “dual use” items. You may not bring these items to the security checkpoint without authorization. If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint, you may be criminally prosecuted, or at the least, asked to rid yourself of them. The following list is not intended to be all-inclusive and is updated as necessary.

Any cutting blade and/or piercing instrument, including box cutters, cigar cutters, corkscrews, hair picks with metal tines, knitting needles, nail files, letter openers, ice picks, knives, razor blades and razors, hacksaw blades, sabers, swords and scissors are not permitted.

  • Firearms, ammunition, BB guns, compressed air guns, flare guns, gun lighters, gun powder, parts of a firearm, pellet guns, stun guns, realistic replicas, and starter pistols are not permitted.
  • Flammable items such as fuels, gasoline, lighter fluid, strike anywhere matches, turpentine and paint thinner are not permitted.
  • Martial Arts/Self Defense items such as billy clubs, black jacks, brass knuckles, expandable batons, mace, pepper spray, nightsticks, some key rings, nunchucks and throwing stars are not permitted.
  • Sporting goods such as baseball bats, bow and arrows, golf clubs, hockey sticks and pool cues are not permitted.
  • Tools, including axes, hatchets, crowbars, drills, hammers, pliers, saws, screwdrivers, and wrenches are not permitted unless a contractor performing work under the County’s authority.
  • Disabling chemicals and other dangerous items such as butane and butane operated devices, chlorine for pools and spas, compressed gas cylinders (excluding fire extinguishers), liquid bleach, alcohol, spillable batteries (except those in wheelchairs) and spray paint are not permitted.
  • Restraining items, including thumb cuffs, handcuffs, handcuff keys, leg shackles, flex cuffs.

This list applies to all persons entering any government building with a security checkpoint staffed by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office or Trident Security.  Any law enforcement officer not “on duty” is prohibited from carrying their weapon(s) onto the premises.

Parking

Food

Food and beverages are permitted in the courthouse.  However, only water containers with lids are permitted in the courtrooms and hearing rooms.  There are also numerous restaurants that are within walking distance of the Courthouse.  See the map below for a list of local restaurants.

 

Courthouse Attire-Etiquette

Please use good judgment when selecting your attire for your courthouse visit.  Miniskirts, shorts, tank tops (sleeveless shirts), tube tops, and clothing with profanity or other offensive words or symbols on them should be left at home.  Persons wearing those items in the courthouse may be asked to leave the building.

 

Please do not bring infants or young children to the courthouse unless their attendance is needed at a courtroom hearing.

 

Cell phones should be turned off or silenced inside the courtrooms and hearing rooms.

 

No unapproved audio or video recording is permitted in the courtrooms or hearing rooms.

 

Do not bring food or any beverages other than water into the courtrooms or hearing rooms.