Alachua County Sheriff's Office

Court Security

Lt. Calvin Decoursey
(352) 264-7072
cdecoursey@alachuasheriff.org

Sgt. Pete Briggette
pbriggette@alachuasheriff.org

Sgt. Donnie Van Wie
dvanwie@alachuasheriff.org

Sgt. J.P. Hood
jhood@alachuasheriff.org

Sgt. Leslie Richardson
lrichardson@alachausheriff.org

The Court Security Bureau is unique in many ways. The bureau is located in the Alachua County Family and Civil Justice Center and Alachua County Criminal Justice Center. The Family and Civil Justice Center is a four story building containing ten courtrooms, the Clerk of the Court and the Office of Court Administrator. The Criminal Justice Center is a four story building containing eleven courtrooms.

The Court Security Bureau falls under control of ACSO Judicial Services and Training Division. The bureau is accountable to the Court Administrator and the Chief Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit as well as the Sheriff. The bureau assures the safety of the County and Circuit Judges who preside in the courthouses, the Clerk of the Court employees and the Court Administration personnel.

The Court Security Bureau strives to provide a high degree of courteous and professional security services to all persons involved in the judicial system within Alachua County. If you have any questions, please call (352) 374-5239 or e-mail one of the deputies listed above.

Security

The overall security and safety of persons within the Alachua County Courthouses is the responsibility of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, (ACSO) pursuant to Florida Statute 30.15.

Weapons are not allowed inside the courthouses. The bureau processes an average of approximately 2,200 visitors daily who enter the courthouse. Each visitor and employee is screened through a comprehensive security station, using state of the art X-ray machines and Magnetometers.

In recent years, the Court Security Bureau has seen an increase in the number of weapons that is covertly concealed within a persons clothing or on their person. If you are coming to either courthouse, you may want to consider arriving a bit earlier as our screening procedures have been enhanced for everyone’s safety. Be prepared to remove your belt and wallet as you will be asked to place these items onto the X-Ray Machine Conveyor Belt. Other items that need to be placed onto the X-Ray Machine are listed as follows;

• Electronic devices such as cell phones, computers and pagers.
• Keys, tools or other metallic objects.
• Cigarettes, lighters or any items that are wrapped with Aluminum Foil.
• Purses, backpacks or packages.

Anyone carrying a firearm into the Courthouse will be arrested per Florida Statute 790.06 (12).

We currently have a number of part time non-sworn employees who assist at security stations with DNA samples and finger printing.

Responsibilities

The bureau is responsible for security of the courthouse annex, “Star Garage,” housing the offices of the Guardian Ad Litem, Court Reporters, and administrative offices. In addition, bureau personnel attend all Alachua County Commission meetings, sub-committees, advisory councils, and related functions. Nighttime security is provided to all county buildings located in Gainesville’s downtown area. The bureau is also responsible for staffing various security stations, and obtaining DNA samples and finger prints.

The bureau executes warrants, civil orders, orders to take into custody and arrests within the courthouse.

Courtroom Security

The bureau is responsible for courtroom security during judicial proceedings. Court Security Deputies are responsible for, conducting courtroom functions, fingerprinting defendants, and providing meals to jurors.