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Weapons search and screening at all court locations by the Sheriff and court contracted private security personnel; entry refused to anyone who will not comply; no alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, firearm, knife, teargas, taser or stun gun (Penal Code §§ 171b, 244.5, and 22810) whatever the license or permit; firearms only for state or federal law enforcement officers on official business, never for an officer appearing as a party litigant; no photographing, recording or broadcasting except under California Rules of Court 1.150; enforcement by contempt (Code of Civil Procedure §§ 177.5 and 1218); and Appendix 'A', the prohibited items by statute and by order of the Court.
California > Second Appellate District > Santa Barbara County > Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA IN RE: COURTHOUSE SECURITY AMENDED GENERAL ORDER OF THE PRESIDING JUDGE This Amended General Order amends the court's Amended General Order of February 1, 2019. THE COURT FINDS AS FOLLOWS: The Santa Barbara Superior Court provides court services to the communities of Santa Barbara County. Court users include persons from within Santa Barbara County who come before our courts seeking justice in the resolution and adjudication of disputes. Those involved in court cases sometimes experience frustrations and hostilities which have resulted in violence in the courthouse. All persons who come before our courts are entitled to a safe and secure courthouse, to the extent reasonably practical. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff is the Court Security Officer, responsible for providing security within all court locations in Santa Barbara County. Providing such security is necessary to ensure the safety for all court users and personnel, including, but not limited to, litigants, witnesses, attorneys, families, court employees, judicial officers, and all other individuals who come before, or conduct business within the courts. Reported incidents of courthouse violence in California, and across the nation, have given rise to a justified increased concern for the safety of those who use our courts and courthouse violence is a real and present risk that gives rise to the need to ensure proper courthouse security. One of the most effective ways to ensure proper courthouse security is by use of weapons screening. Courthouse weapons screening should be no more intrusive than is reasonably necessary to ensure effective detection of items that could reasonably be used as weapons and to ensure such items are not allowed to be brought within the courthouse. As the Court Security Officer, the Sheriff should develop a list of items that could reasonably be used as weapons and not therefore are not permitted within the courthouse. Said list should be submitted to the Presiding Judge for approval. Said list should be revised from time to time, as needed. All persons entering the courthouse should be given reasonable notice by way of appropriate signage that their persons and property shall be subject to search and screening as they are necessary to ensure proper court security. IT IS ORDERED: To the extent reasonably and economically practical, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff, in conjunction with court contracted private security personnel, shall conduct weapons search and screening at all court locations. Such search and screenings may include use of metal detection equipment; x-ray equipment; physical pat-downs of persons; inspections of property; and by use of other methods and equipment reasonably calculated to detect items that could reasonably be used as weapons. All persons entering or otherwise present in any court location are subject to weapons screening procedures established by the Court and Sheriff of Santa Barbara County. Any person refusing to comply with the lawful order of security personnel assigned to conduct weapons screening shall be prohibited from entering the courthouse. The court may utilize non-sworn, private security personnel to effectuate and conduct such search and screening. A request to search and/or screen by such private security personnel shall be deemed a request by the Sheriff under the authority of this order. Appendix "A" hereto is a list of items that pose an unacceptable security risk within a court location. No person shall be allowed to enter a court location while in possession of any items described in Appendix "A". Appendix "A" may be revised from time to time. Each revision shall be submitted to the Presiding Judge for approval and incorporation herein. No person entering, or otherwise present, within a court facility shall possess any alcoholic beverage, controlled substance (including marijuana) and related paraphernalia (whether medicinal or recreational), a firearm, knife, teargas, taser, stun gun, or similar weapons or devices, as defined or listed in Penal Code §§ 171b, 244.5, and 22810 (see Appendix "A"). This prohibition shall be enforced whether or not the person possesses a valid license, certificate, permit or prescription therefore. All persons are prohibited from entering a Santa Barbara County courthouse with a firearm or deadly or dangerous weapon unless they are state or federal law enforcement officers displaying current, valid and official photographic identification and are present on official business within the court facility. Under no circumstances shall any law enforcement officer bring a firearm or deadly or dangerous weapon into a Santa Barbara County courthouse if the officer is entering the courthouse as a party litigant in a private action. At each court location, the Court shall cause to be posted signage that is clearly visible to the public prior to entry, declaring the prohibition of the possession of items referenced herein and further notifying that all persons are subject to search. Except as provided in California Rules of Court 1.150, court proceedings may not be photographed, recorded, or broadcast. This rule does not prohibit courts from photographing or videotaping sessions for judicial education or publications and is not intended to apply to closed-circuit television broadcasts solely within the courthouse or between court facilities if the broadcasts are controlled by the court and court personnel. Media coverage may be permitted only on written order of the judge as provided in California Rules of Court 1.150. The judge in his or her discretion may permit, refuse, limit, or terminate media coverage. While on or in the premises of any courthouse, all persons are ordered to comply with the lawful requests, directions, and orders of any law enforcement officers and their agents in the performance of their duties. Nothing in this order is intended to, nor shall be construed as to, diminish the legal and lawful authority of the Sheriff to perform any and all functions of a peace officer. The Court may enforce this order by sanctioning any violation of the order as a contempt of court and imposing any monetary or other punishment provided by law, including, without limitation, Code of Civil Procedure §§ 177.5 and 1218. However, nothing in this order shall limit arrest and prosecution under any other law, including, without limitation, Penal Code § 166 and/or Penal Code § 602(y). This Order is effective immediately and is to remain in effect until otherwise ordered by the Presiding Judge. GOOD CAUSE APPEARING THEREFORE, IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: 10/13/2025 PRESIDING JUDGE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT APPENDIX 'A' 1.0 Prohibited items – by Statute: 1.1 Prohibited items shall include all weapons or instruments described in the following California Penal Code sections: 1.1.1 171b(a) P.C. - Unauthorized possession of weapons in state or local public buildings or at public meetings. 1.1.2 244.5 P.C. - Stun gun or taser. 1.1.3 21510 P.C. - Switch blade knife/gravity knife having a blade longer than two inches. 1.1.4 22 P.C. - Tear gas weapon. 1.1.5 16590 P.C. - Generally prohibited weapons. 2.0 Prohibited items by order of the Court shall include the following: 2.1 General prohibited items listed as follows: 2.1.1 Firearms possessed by anyone other than peace officers, regardless of a permit to carry a concealed weapon (CCW). The only exceptions to this are judicial officers who possess a valid CCW and authorized armored car personnel during the course of business. 2.1.2 Firearms possessed by peace officers when attending court as a participant/party in an action pending before the Court, e.g. as a party in a Family Law matter. 2.1.3 All bullets and ammunition possessed by anyone other than peace officers, regardless of a permit to carry a concealed weapon (CCW). The only exceptions to this are judicial officers who possess a valid CCW and authorized armored car personnel during the course of business. 2.1.4 All taser guns. 2.1.5 All stun guns. 2.1.6 All gun-shaped lighters. 2.1.7 Toy or replica guns. 2.1.8 Handcuffs, except those possessed by sworn peace officers. 2.1.9 Breakable containers including, but not limited to ceramic and glass. 2.2 Chemical agents listed as follows: 2.2.1 All mace, pepper gas, animal repellent, butane fuel, and aerosol cans. 2.2.2 Spray bottles larger than three (3) oz. 2.3 Knives as listed: 2.3.1 Buck type - all size blades. 2.3.2 Swiss Army/Pen knives - all size blades. 2.3.3 Utility knives - all size blades. 2.3.4 Butter/steak knives - all size blades. 2.3.5 Multi-tool type knives - all size blades. 2.3.6 Concealable/disguised knives - all size blades. 2.3.7 All locking blade knives - all size blades. 2.4 Scissors listed as follows: 2.4.1 All types. 2.5 Razors listed as follows: 2.5.1 Single blades. 2.5.2 All box cutters. 2.5.3 All "Exacto" type tools (open retractable razor with handle). 2.6 Clothing items listed as follows: 2.6.1 Excess clothing beyond what is reasonable for personal use and current weather conditions. 2.7 Tools listed as follows: 2.7.1 All tools, including but not limited to, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, hammers, etc., unless possessed by authorized maintenance personnel of the Court or County or Court/County approved maintenance/contractor personnel. 2.7.2 Ice picks. 2.7.3 Corkscrews. 2.8 Miscellaneous items include: 2.8.1 Darts. 2.8.2 Letter openers. 2.8.3 Pieces of heavy-duty wire/heavy gauge chains. 2.8.4 Laser pointers - except those for use by attorneys in courtroom presentations. 2.8.5 Skateboards/skates. 2.8.6 Needles/syringes (possessed by non-diabetic person(s) or persons without prescriptions). 2.8.7 Handcuff keys - except those possessed by sworn peace officers. 2.8.8 "Come-along" sticks/key chain size. 2.8.9 Flammable liquids. 2.8.10 Open alcohol containers. 2.8.11 Knitting needles. 2.8.12 Any item modified to incorporate brass knuckles, including but not limited to belt buckles, purse handles, cell phone covers, etc. 2.8.13 Sporting equipment that may be used as a weapon, including but not limited to baseball/softball bats, tennis racquets, trekking poles, field hockey sticks, and cleated/spiked shoes. 2.8.14 Rocks over two inches in diameter. 2.8.15 Torches 2.8.16 Hiking sticks or walking sticks that have a sharp and/or pointy tip. 2.9 Controlled Substances: 2.9.1 As defined under the California Health and Safety Code. 2.9.2 California Penal Code section 4573(a). 2.9.3 Controlled Substance Act, 21 U.S.C. section 812. 2.9.4 Marijuana 2.9.5 All associated paraphernalia. [The clerk's filed stamp, upper right of page 1, reads "FILED SUPERIOR COURT of CALIFORNIA COUNTY of SANTA BARBARA OCT 13 2025 Darrel E. Parker, Executive Officer BY (signed) V. Winn, Deputy Clerk", with handwritten initials beside the date. The order is signed (page 4) above the lines "PRESIDING JUDGE / SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT"; no name is printed under the signature, which reads "Patricia L. Kelly". The date "10/13/2025" prints in a different typeface from the order's. The caption is set cell by cell (the left box, then the right box); the caption, "THE COURT FINDS AS FOLLOWS:", "IT IS ORDERED:", "APPENDIX 'A'", the headings 1.0, 2.0 and 2.9 and every item number print in bold. The quotation marks and apostrophes are straight. Printed as transcribed: "and not therefore are not permitted" (page 2); "prescription therefore" (page 3); "Exacto" (2.5.3); "Torches" and "Marijuana" without a closing period. Page 4's lower half and page 7's foot are blank. There is no running footer; page numbers and pleading line numbers are omitted.]
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FOR THE COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA IN RE: COURTHOUSE SECURITY AMENDED GENERAL ORDER OF THE PRESIDING JUDGE This Amended General Order amends the court's Amended General Order of February 1, 2019. THE COURT FINDS AS FOLLOWS: The Santa Barbara Superior Court provides court services to the communities of Santa Barbara County. Court users include persons from
Reviewer note: Transcribed 2026-10-07 (California T4 Santa Barbara build 2026-10-07) from BenchPath custody ca/t4/ca-santa-barbara/docs/general/2025amendedordercourtsecurity.pdf (367744 bytes, sha256 fee048b1b8683648935bb7892a07856717299f79b07dfb057bf8dc2c46e532db; 7 pages) - transcribed by eye from the rendered page images (200 dpi), every page read against its image; RapidOCR's reading of each page and a line-strip reading (each printed line read alone; the file carries no text layer) served only as second readers - every six-word window of the transcription was looked up in them and every miss read on the page image (custody vision/check-log.md); captions set cell by cell, pleading line numbers omitted, running footers transcribed once, handwritten fills in place, with a closing bracketed note; a signature itself is not transcribed.
9 verbatim requirements from 4th Circuit Administrative Order 1997-10.
6 verbatim requirements from 4th Circuit Administrative Order 1997-13.