Courthouse security is a high priority with the office of the Sheriff. This office performs a varity of duties to ensure the safety of employee's, visitors and handling of prisoners awaiting trial. All persons entering the Joint Judicial Center are subject to search. The sheriff's office utilizes a screening system that includes metal detectors and X-ray scanning machines at the Joint Judicial Center entrances.

To avoid a possible delay when entering the Joint Judicial Center, it is recommended that you check your purses, pockets, brief cases, key rings, etc., for items that can conceivably be used as weapons. Questionable objects should be left at home or in your car. No guns, knives, pepper gas, mace, tools, sharp objects including scissors or other weapons of any kind are allowed in the Joint Judicial Center pursuant to VA Code § 18.2-283.1.

§ 18.2-283.1. Carrying weapon into courthouse.

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess in or transport into any courthouse in this Commonwealth any (i) gun or other weapon designed or intended to propel a missile or projectile of any kind, (ii) frame, receiver, muffler, silencer, missile, projectile or ammunition designed for use with a dangerous weapon and (iii) any other dangerous weapon, including explosives, stun weapons as defined in § 18.2-308.1, and those weapons specified in subsection A of § 18.2-308. Any such weapon shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer. A violation of this section is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to any police officer, sheriff, law-enforcement agent or official, conservation police officer, conservator of the peace, magistrate, court officer, or judge while in the conduct of such person's official duties.