House gives nod to bills to protect court workers

LANSING (AP) — Legislation passed by the Michigan House calls for increased penalties and tougher sentences for anyone who assaults courthouse workers.

The bills, passed Tuesday on a 93-14 vote, head to the Senate for consideration.

Court personnel covered under the legislation include court reporters and defense attorneys.

The bills would increase maximum imprisonment from 10 years to 15 years for assaulting court personnel.

The legislation comes after an inmate facing life in prison charges killed two court bailiffs in a Berrien County courtroom last July.

On Tuesday, two people were arrested after trying to bring a loaded handgun into a Berrien County courthouse.