Security & Weapons Screening
To protect the public and court employees, courthouses have metal detectors like those at airports and other government buildings. Under Minnesota law, it is a crime for a person in a "courthouse complex" to possess a dangerous weapon, ammunition or explosives. The law applies to court employees as well as members of the public. Licensed peace officers, federally authorized law enforcement agents in the performance of their official duties, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office detention deputies, or Community Service and Reserve Officers from Hennepin County law enforcement agencies in full uniform on official business are exempt. See MN Statutes § 609.66 subd. 1(g).
Please do NOT bring any item that could be used as a weapon to any courthouse. Those items will not be allowed in areas beyond screening checkpoints, and weapons will be confiscated. This includes items that could be used as a weapon, like scissors, laser pointers, and anything with a sharp point or cutting edge.
Please do NOT bring any item that could be used as a weapon to any courthouse. Those items will not be allowed in areas beyond screening checkpoints, and weapons will be confiscated. This includes items that could be used as a weapon, like scissors, laser pointers, and anything with a sharp point or cutting edge.
There may be a line at the security checkpoint, so please allow yourself enough time to get to a court hearing or other appointment in the courthouse.
Dangerous items confiscated by Security will NOT be returned to you. Examples of prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
Prohibited Items
If you bring an item to the courthouse that could be used as a weapon and you enter the weapons screening checkpoint, security officers will give you the option to remove the item from the courthouse or security will put it in a "disposal" box.Dangerous items confiscated by Security will NOT be returned to you. Examples of prohibited items include, but are not limited to:
- Firearms, even if you have a Permit to Carry;
- Cutting tools or bladed instruments of any size;
- Electronic incapacitation devices, such as stun guns, tasers, etc.;
- Personal protection sprays such as chemical mace, pepper spray and any other protective chemical aerosol; and
- Any other items that appear to be designed or used as weapons, and that are capable of inflicting serious bodily harm.
What to expect when going through Weapons Screening:
- Please remove laptops and large electronics from your bag.
- Please remove keys, cell phones, coins, and cameras from your bag and/or pockets.
- You can keep your shoes on, unless security personnel ask you to remove them.
Cameras and Electronic Recording Devices
According to Rule 4 of the MN Rules of General Practice for the District Courts, no pictures or voice recordings, except the making of the official court record, shall be made in any courtroom or any area of the courthouse where courtrooms are located. Taking photos and/or filming is not allowed in Weapons Screening.