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UPDATE ON THIS:
The judge wrote a letter to editor clarifying what he did. That letter is below.
Gun ban remains in courtrooms
Dear Editor,
I wish to address information that was reported in the June 18 edition of the Hillsdale Daily News regarding the removal of a sign prohibiting weapons in the Courthouse. My removal of the sign and comments regarding the same did not pertain to the courtrooms within the Courthouse.
In 2001, the Michigan Supreme Court issued an order prohibiting weapons “in any courtroom, office or other space used for official court business.” The Supreme Court has unquestioned authority to set rules for safety and security within judicial branch facilities. Consistent with the Supreme Court’s order, I signed an administrative order in 2002, which remains in effect, prohibiting weapons in the county courtrooms or other space used for official court business.
The Supreme Court recognized in its 2001 order that many state courts share space with other local government entities and encouraged local courts to collaborate with those entities in developing a weapons policy. My comments were meant to clarify that our court could not unilaterally ban weapons in space used by other units of government. Absent a county policy adopted by the County Board of Commissioners, the single sign was removed from the west door of the Courthouse. The sign prohibiting weapons remains on the courtroom door.
In summary, weapons are still prohibited from the county courtrooms and other space used for court business. Signs will continue to be posted on the courtroom notifying the public of this fact. I trust that this explanation clarifies any misunderstanding of the court’s weapon policy.
Sincerely,
Michael R. Smith
Circuit Court Judge