Legal Services

	"I'm a seasoned Justice of the Peace and know how to handle my courtroom, but lately I've noticed an uptick in security issues all around the courthouse. Who do I go to about finding some increased security measures to keep us all safe?"

Who has the authority to provide courthouse security?

The Code of Criminal Procedure §102.017 establishes the Courthouse Security Fund, which allows the county to pay for security personnel, services, and items for a building housing a court. For justice courts located in a building that is not in the county courthouse, the county may establish a Justice Court Building Security Fund to pay for the same personnel, services, and items. Both funds are controlled by the commissioners court. However, Attorney General Opinion JC-0475 (2002) provides that a commissioners court does not have the authority to establish a courthouse security force of licensed peace officers. For more information on these funds, see our Special and Dedicated Funds publication.