Court Security
600 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-333-4087
The Beltrami Court Security Office is committed to maintaining the safety and security of the courthouse in order to protect the integrity of court procedures; to ensure the rights of individuals before it; to deter those who would take violent action against the court or its participants in court proceedings; and to sustain the decorum of the court. Using the same level of professionalism, Court Deputies and Bailiffs will provide security throughout the county campus and safe transport for inmates to and from other facilities.
We can all appreciate the reality of the world we live in today. The increase in violence in courthouses across America brings an increase in security measures. It is the duty of the Beltrami County Court Security division to provide for a safe and secure court environment. This group of professionals take great pride in keeping a secure court environment, and appreciate your help in maintaining that security.
Comprised of both Court Deputies and Court Security Officers, this unit works closely together in order to accomplish any given task. Daily operations may include maintaining order and decorum in up to four courtrooms simultaneously, transporting inmates from the jail for in-custody appearances, screening all entrants to ensure safety, fingerprinting of applicants and those ordered by the court, county campus security, and other given duties.
Here are a few suggestions to help smooth your visit to our Judicial Center:
1) Take an extra few minutes to arrive early at the courthouse, especially in the morning, which is usually the busiest time.
2) Think as though you are going to the airport. Metal objects on you or your person can be detected by our walkthrough metal detector. Please leave large metal jewelry, coins, keys, big belt buckles, and purses at your office or in your car. If a certain article of clothing constantly holds you up at the security station try to replace it with a different article next time you come through.
3) Judges and attorneys are very concerned about distractions while court is in session; also, judges want to keep electronics and recording devices out of the courthouse. With this in mind please keep cell phones, computers, cameras, and smartwatches, etc behind as well. This will help you to breeze through our security screening process.
The Court Security staff is here to help and if you have any questions concerning the security process do not hesitate to ask. Court Security Deputies are also available as a county campus resource to address any security concerns.
Rules and Regulations
Security measures in the Judicial Center involve passing through a metal detector such as one would find at an airport. This precaution is designed to prohibit any electronic devices, weapons or other potentially dangerous items from being taken into the building.
The following items will not be allowed inside the building:
- Firearms, unless carried by a licensed peace officer on active duty and on official business; or other person as authorized by the court.
- Knives, bladed instruments or cutting tools (any size)
- Electronic incapacitation devices
- Chemical incapacitation sprays
- Explosives
- Ammunition
- Combustible or flammable liquid
- Any other item designed or carried as a weapon capable of producing death or great bodily harm
- Any replica or toy version of the above-listed items
- Any camera or electronic recording device
- Digital audio players and / or recorders
- Cellular Telephones, electronic organizers, blue tooth headset, smart watches, and laptop computers, except as authorized by the court
- Any item which is illegal to possess under Minnesota law
- No Alcohol, Cannabis, or controlled substances allowed.
These rules apply to anyone entering this building for any reason including reporting for jury duty, attending a hearing, visiting the County Attorneys office, paying a fine, being fingerprinted, inquiring of a warrant status or conducting other business with the Clerk of Courts office. The only exception is if you are an attorney with an active bar card that you present at the time of entering the Judicial Center. Please make plans prior to arrival at the Judicial Center to stow, in a safe place, those items that are not allowed in the Judicial Center.
Transportation
The Transport Unit dedicates it’s every action to safely and securely move prisoners locally and throughout the state. The Transport Unit operates through the Court Security Division and is managed by the Court Security Sergeant.
Transports is a daily operation and requires multiple stops or multiple transporters on the road at any given time. Some places commonly visited include prisons, other county jails, medical facilities, juvenile centers, alcohol and drug treatment programs, and mental health treatment centers. Much of this activity is in response to and directed by different types of court orders.
The Transport Sergeant is also tasked with coordinating transports with other agencies in order to economize transportation costs for our county. Sometimes that may involve hiring a 3rd party transportation company to pick someone up throughout the united states at a reduced cost than what sending a Beltrami County Deputy would cost. Court Security also maintain a small fleet of vehicles dedicated to the transport role, which must be ready and able to travel anywhere on short notice and are designed with long transports in mind.