Federal judges call for improved security
Conference calls for safety review at judges' homes
By Bill Mears
CNN Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A panel of federal judges Tuesday called on the Bush administration and Congress to make security at judges' homes a greater priority, citing a "crisis" following recent high-profile shooting incidents.
The Judicial Conference approved a resolution calling on the Justice Department and U.S. Marshals Service "to review fully and expeditiously all aspects of judicial security and, in particular, security at judges' homes and other locations away from the courthouse."
The Judicial Conference is a semiannual closed meeting of the nation's top federal judges, presided over by ailing Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
Security in the nation's courtrooms has become a top issue after a series of deadly incidents this year:
Last Friday's deadly shootings inside the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, Georgia, that claimed the lives of a judge, court reporter and sheriff's deputy (Latest on that case);The February 28 slayings of a federal judge's husband and mother at the judge's Chicago, Illinois, home (Judge says goodbye to mother);The February 24 shootings outside a Tyler, Texas courthouse at at the court square that left two people dead and four others wounded. (More on that shooting)"We're terribly concerned," said Judge Carolyn Dineen King, who heads the conference's executive committee. "But money is a factor," she added, voicing the belief among many on the bench that the federal government should pay to have home security systems installed in every judges' residence.
The conference called on Congress to provide "adequate funding for this essential function."
Tuesday's Judicial Conference examined security for federal judges and courts, which are protected by the U.S. Marshals Service. Local courts rely on sheriff's departments for security.
Currently, King said, U.S. Marshals will visit a judge's home if asked and make suggestion on what can be improved, including beefing up home security and carrying sidearms. It is up to the judge to follow the recommendations and take whatever steps are need, including any financial costs.
Judges also met with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and U.S. Marshals Service Director Benigno Reyna to discuss security issues. After the meeting judges said officials reiterated their commitment to security.
"The federal Judiciary believes that judges' security interests are best served by strong and experienced leadership in the U.S. Marshals Service," said Jane Roth, a federal appeals judge who heads the conference's security committee.
"It also is our belief that the U.S. Marshals Service remains chronically understaffed and underfunded. If the safety of judges-- both in and away from courthouses-- is a top priority for DOJ, then resources, including adequate funding and staffing, must be committed to the U.S. Marshals Service."
A report last year by the Justice Department's inspector general was sharply critical of the job U.S. marshals were doing to provide security to the federal judiciary. Inadequate funding, outdated equipment and infrastructure, and poor training were cited as major factors.
Congressional leaders told the judges that hearings would soon be held on judicial security. "I will work closely with the Judicial Conference with the goal of ensuring that our federal courts are safe and that judges need not fear for their lives or the welfare of their families," Rep. James Sensenbrenner, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, told the panel.
Rehnquist, 80, appeared well Tuesday, despite suffering from thyroid cancer, according to those attending.
He has been absent from the bench since his October diagnosis, and until Tuesday had appeared in public only briefly, to swear in President Bush for a second term Jan. 20. Neither he nor the court has offered specifics on the state of his health.
As chief justice of the United States, Rehnquist has administrative oversight of the Judicial Conference, which makes policy for the entire federal judiciary, which includes district, appeals, bankruptcy, immigration, and tax courts nationwide.
Tuesday's Judicial Conference will address security in U.S. federal courts, not at local courts, where the Atlanta and Texas shootings occurred.
Local courts rely on sheriff's departments for security. Federal courts are protected by the U.S. Marshals Service.
"Clearly security is on the mind of judges throughout the country," said Judge Carolyn Dineen King, who heads the conference's executive committee. "I am certain that the safety of judges and their families will be a part of formal and informal discussions at next week's meeting of the Judicial Conference."
King is chief judge with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in New Orleans.
No formal action on the security issue is expected to come from this week's conference.
"Protecting federal jurists, prosecutors, and trial witnesses is the highest priority and oldest mission of the United States Marshals." according to an agency statement released Friday. "The Judicial Security Division of the United States Marshals reviews inappropriate communications or threats made against members of the federal judiciary. Because protecting the judicial process is our most important task, each determination about providing increased levels of security to a judge is assessed on a case-by-case basis and in full consultation with the jurist or jurists potentially at risk."
Court sources said they were "very encouraged" the ailing Rehnquist would be able to preside at the meeting, which should last about three hours Tuesday. He has been absent from oral arguments before the Supreme Court since undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment. His only public appearance was January 20, when he swore in President Bush at the inauguration.
Sources close to the chief justice say his health has shown some improvement in recent weeks, although they refused to offer specifics on the seriousness of his illness or his chances for recovery.
As chief justice of the United States, Rehnquist has administrative oversight of the Judicial Conference, which makes policy for the entire federal judiciary, which includes district, appeals, bankruptcy, immigration, and tax courts nationwide.
