Weapons in a Court Facility Lawyers

What is Considered a Court Facility?

What is Considered a Court Facility?

Court facilities are more than just courtrooms.  The terms generally covers a broad range of government structures and offices.  Included in court facilities for most states are:

• Courtrooms,
• Witness rooms,
• Jury deliberation rooms,
• Attorney conference rooms,
• Prisoner holding cells,
• Offices of the court clerk, or
• Any adjoining corridors.

When Can I Be Punished for a Weapon in a Court Facility?

Because each state wants to protect its legal system, which includes judges, attorneys, juries, witnesses, and other bystanders, it is generally a crime to have a weapon in a court facility.  Such weapons can include:

• Firearms,
• Other illegal weapons, or
• Adapted objects likely to cause serious bodily injury.

Generally, in order for a person to break the law for having any one of the above in a court facility, it is enough for them to either:

1. Knowingly possessed the weapon in a court facility, or
2. Knowingly cause the weapon to enter a court facility.

So long as either of these are met, a person can be face criminal punishment for a weapon in a court facility.

What Punishment Can I Face?

Each state makes the crime of a weapon in a court facility a different type of crime.  Some make it a misdemeanor, others make it a felony.  Generally speaking, punishment for a weapon in a court facility can include:

• Jail time, ranging from 90 days to 5 years,
• Fines, ranging from $100 to $10,000,
• Community service, or
• Parole or probation.

Do I Need an Attorney if I am Charged With a Weapon in a Court Facility?