The chief judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit described a rise in direct threats against judges and asked Pasco County to address security and facility deficiencies at the East Pasco judicial center, while county and court staff said they would balance short-term security fixes with an ongoing evaluation of a possible future central courthouse.

Why it matters: Staff said judges and court staff sometimes share circulation space with defendants at the Dade City facility and that security upgrades could reduce risk of threats, doxxing and other intimidation.

Chief Judge Sean Crane told the delegation and commission that credible threats investigated by the sheriff epartment numbered in the dozens this year and included incidents outside judges' homes and online doxxing. "Threats against judges have increased, significantly... they will respond to that direct threat," he said, crediting Pasco's threat management teams. He urged caution in how the county spends on renovations and security: the county may build a central courthouse, currently under study, and he said he would be meeting with design teams and could offer operational advice to maximize security value.

Facilities Director Andrew Baxter and other staff described the circulation and flow problems at the Dade City courthouse, noting a shared corridor used by inmates, judicial staff and the public. Baxter said modern criminal courthouses separate circulation into three corridors (public, judicial and criminal) and that the existing building was not designed that way. Commissioners pressed staff on interim steps to reduce mingling of defendants and court officials and asked for plans that could be implemented faster than a full new building.

Ending: Judge Crane and county staff said they would continue to refine security options and meet with judges and designers; the county will consider short-term facility changes while tracking the timeline for any potential new central courthouse.