Commission hears split views on courthouse security, screening of visitors

Judge Wallace White Jr. (speaker 4) raised concerns about courthouse 'body searching' practices in Pell City and questioned why some people are screened while others are not. He urged more uniform standards and said courthouse screening can be an "insult to the dignity of the people of Saint Clair County."

Circuit-clerk and clerk’s-office personnel (speaker 6) pushed back, saying screening has prevented dangerous incidents and that the clerk’s office shares hallway access with people seeking tax and tag services who may present safety risks. "We didn't have to call anybody. They came up there to help her," the clerk representative said, describing an incident where deputies intervened after seeing video on monitoring screens. Commissioners said the county must fund security that balances safety and public access and noted an edict from the Alabama Supreme Court requiring courthouse security.

Commissioners asked staff to review the level and placement of screening; Chair (speaker 2) noted the county can fund security through the historical commission for some projects but said the sheriff, courts and district attorney influence security approach. The discussion ended with the commission agreeing to keep the issue before them for further review rather than adopting an immediate policy change.

Why it matters: Screening practices affect daily access to county services (tax, license, probate) and raise questions about equitable treatment of residents, operational cost, and legal responsibilities for court security.