Courthouse Security

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About Us

The Boone County Courthouse Division is responsible for the safety of elected officials, employees, and visitors to the courthouse and three other county buildings located in downtown Lebanon.

Courthouse deputies investigate complaints, maintain order, screen visitors, and provide police services to the public as needed. Deputies apprehend law violators by serving warrants and making arrests at sentencing. They investigate and document incidents that occur on county property and frequently act as liaison officers for the sheriff’s office with the public and employees. Deputies also guard inmates who are transported to the courthouse for hearings.

Hours of Operation

The Southside entrance is unlocked to the public at 8:00 am and closed at 4:00 pm. Lunch for most of the Courthouse Offices is between 12:00 and 1:00.

Smoking is prohibited on the Boone County grounds.

Security Procedures

Boone County Ordinance 2017-03 states, “No person shall be permitted to enter the Courthouse carrying or possessing a firearm, knife, weapon or explosive device.”

Prohibited items include but are not limited to:

- Guns
- Knives
- OC Spray
- Scissors

Security DOES NOT provide a place to hold prohibited items; they are to be secured in vehicles or left at home. All items that are hidden on grounds will be confiscated and destroyed.

All patrons of the Court House WILL BE REQUIRED to go through the security check.

Cell phones are permitted in the Court House; however, they are not to be turned on while in the court rooms.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the courthouse hours?

Excluding approved holidays, county buildings are open Monday thru Friday 8:00 to 4:00.

Q2: How long has security screening been in place at the courthouse?

The courthouse has been restricted to one entrance with security screening since June 1, 2017. Entrance is made at the south side (Main Street) where there is an x-ray machine and metal detector. Purses, backpacks, briefcases, etc. are screened with the x-ray machine and visitors walk through the metal detector. The entry process takes just a few seconds.

Q3: What items are prohibited from the courthouse?

Boone County Ordinance 2017-03 states, “No person shall be permitted to enter the Courthouse carrying or possessing a firearm, knife, weapon or explosive device.”

Q4: Will a deputy hold my knife while I’m in the courthouse?

No. Deputies cannot be responsible for another person’s property. Prohibited items must be removed from the building before access can be granted.

Q5: Why is the security screening necessary?

People come to the courthouse for criminal hearings and sentencings, to pay taxes, appeal property assessments, divorce and child custody hearings, child support hearings, small claims disputes, and more. For some people, these can be emotionally charged events, so not allowing weapons in the courthouse is a necessity.