Access to the DeKalb County Courthouse during nonpublic hours and within the Courthouse at all times shall be controlled by an access control system under the supervision of the DeKalb County Sheriff and his/her authorized deputies.

All individuals entering the DeKalb County Courthouse during public hours shall be subject to security screening by the DeKalb County Sheriff's office using a combination of walk-through, handheld and package screening devices.

If not otherwise specified in this policy, the DeKalb County Sheriff's office shall establish screening procedures that balance the need for security with the productivity and functional needs of employees, visitors, contractors or businesses and their employees, hired by DeKalb County or one of the judges to conduct work in the building.

Employees of the DeKalb County Courthouse shall be subject to security screening, as well as all others who enter the courthouse, and must enter the north doors of the courthouse, except that judges, the prosecutor and law enforcement personnel shall be exempt but must abide by entry and exit rules established by the DeKalb County Sheriff.

Firearms or other instruments of violence are prohibited in accordance with the prior resolution of the Commissioners set forth in Resolution Number 2018-R-9, DeKalb County Code 32-2-1-6.1, dated June 18, 2019.

Cellphones, pagers, and other communications devices are prohibited from entry into the courthouse building without prior authorization of the commissioners, the Sheriff, or a DeKalb County judge; provided, however, that recording devices such as tape recorders and photography devices dedicated solely for recording or photography, and not capable of other functions such as cellphones, pagers and other communication devices are capable, are permitted but subject to such rules, regulations, and restrictions as are established by the commissioners or a sitting judge for his or her courtroom.

The Sheriff, sheriff deputies comprising security for the courthouse, and any presiding judge in one of the three courts for DeKalb County shall have the authorization to restrict items from the courthouse and/or courtrooms, that are not otherwise prohibited herein if such items, in the sole discretion of the sheriff, deputies, or a presiding judge, determine that any such items pose a risk to the safety and security of the courthouse, those within the courthouse, or within a particular courtroom in the courthouse.

Persons seeking entry to the courthouse with an item or items prohibited herein, either generally, or pursuant to paragraph 7 above, shall be prohibited from entering the courthouse with that item or those items.