Rising threats prompt nation-wide push to strengthen court security

 As threats against the judiciary continue to rise, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and state court leaders are moving quickly to strengthen court security across the country.

A major national initiative is now underway to help state courts respond to escalating risks. Through NCSC’s Safer Courts project, courts will gain access to strengthened security practices, expert guidance, and training designed to help judges, staff, and the public stay safe. 

The initiative focuses on three critical priorities: strengthening courts’ ability to identify and respond to security threats, improving coordination among state and local court security partners, and clearly defining roles and responsibilities for protecting court facilities and personnel.

Safer Courts also aligns with growing national attention to judicial safety. It complements the Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act, bipartisan legislation passed by the U.S. Senate in November 2025 that is now before the U.S. House. If enacted, the legislation would establish a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center to provide technical assistance, training, and monitoring of threats for state and local judges and court personnel.

The initiative also builds on “Securing Justice,” a COSCA policy paper outlining court security as a shared responsibility. The white paper was unanimously endorsed by CCJ. 

Supported by a State Justice Institute grant, Safer Courts will create standardized incident reporting and threat evaluation tools; update court security best practices and minimum standards; and publish training materials, assessment templates, and personal safety guides. A national convening in the fall will set the foundation for future phases of the project.

Safer Courts is an NCSC-led initiative guided by a CCJ/COSCA steering committee. including Beth Clement, president  and CEO of NCSC, and  former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court.

For more information, visit www.ncsc.org/resources-courts/operations-governance/courthouse-planning-security.

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