Judge DuBose wants own security
By Barry H. Hendrix Managing Editor

"... there will be no electronic devices of any sort allowed in my courtroom... Cell phones, laptops, other electronic devices...are used to make and detonate bombs, and I don't intend for that to happen in my courtroom." Judge DuBose

Circuit Judge Stuart DuBose asked the Clarke County Commission Tuesday for aid in the security of his office and courtroom in the new annex at the county courthouse. The judge, wearing his black robe usually reserved for court appearances, addressed the commission at the end of Tuesday's meeting. His appearance was not on the meeting agenda.

"I've come today before you to ask that you consider providing me and my Circuit Court with a security guard," he said. "There is a substantial need. The public will be benefited in a material and substantial way when we have jury court.

"It is my intention, in my court, to insure the privacy of jurors….In the pursuit of that assurance, there will be no electronic devices of any sort allowed in my courtroom. It will take a security guard to enforce that requirement. Cell phones, laptops, other electronic devices...are used to make and detonate bombs, and I don't intend for that to happen in my courtroom.

"My office has been burglarized, at least, to the extent of my judicial assistant, whose office you must pass through to get to mine," DuBose said.

Ruth Moseley, the judge's secretary, reported a burglary July 11 to the Sheriff's Department.

"The most recent occurrence is the second time that this (burglary) has happened. It was the only time that it was reported to the Sheriff's Department. The first event having not been reported other than to the current security guard, who did not make an incident report and who did not report it to the sheriff, and who is best suited to remain where he is serving in a security capacity for the District Court."

The courthouse has a metal detector at the front door staffed by one or two security people that everyone must past through. In addition, another security person is assigned to police the courtrooms on the second floor.

The new circuit judges' chambers in the new $3.59 million annex are behind locked doors and inaccessible to the general public. The judges reach the new courtrooms by way of a secure stairwell and along a secure hallway.

Earlier this week, the new courtroom assigned to Judge DuBose was locked from the main public hallway. The courtroom assigned to Judge Tom Baxter was not locked.

None of the commissioners had questions nor made any comments on the judge's request.

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