Courthouse Prohibited Items

Courthouse Security and Prohibited Items

For the safety of everyone, there are security screenings at the entrance of the Duval County Courthouse. All visitors to the Courthouse are required to go through the screening process to be allowed into the building. 

• Everything you bring into the courthouse must be put in a tray and screened before you walk through the metal detector, including all wallets, loose change, cell phones, laptops, books, or magazines. You must take everything out of your pockets. You will retrieve approved items after you walk through the metal detector.

• Any firearms, ammunition, and magazines whether real, fake or toy, flare, air, and/or BB, regardless of possession of a Concealed Weapon Permit, except those possessed by uniformed law enforcement officers on duty;
• Gun-shaped lighters, toy guns, and replica guns;
• Knives as well as sharp and pointed objects that include, but are not limited to, all scissors, regardless of length; razor blades; box cutters; and Exacto-type tools;
• Stun guns, tasers, pepper spray, chemical mace or tear gas weapons, and tactical flashlights;
• Weapons, including but not limited to, nunchucks, hand batons, cat ears, brass knuckles and blackjacks;
• Handcuffs, handcuff keys, and whistles, except those possessed by sworn law enforcement officers on duty;
• All tools, including screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, hammers, etc.;
• Letter openers, ice picks, darts, fishing hooks, metal locks, and knitting needles;
• Laser pointers except those used by attorneys in courtroom presentations;
• Signage;
• All bicycles, skateboards, skates, hover-boards, or similar devices;
• All flammable liquids, torch-style lighters, aerosol sprayers, and oil-based lamps;
• Any type of device deemed to be a real or fake explosive/incendiary device, including but not limited to, bombs, grenades, rockets, mines, fireworks, sparklers, and blasting caps;
• Any drug of abuse or illegal substance to include drug paraphernalia, even if medical marijuana card is presented;
• Glass containers;
• Body armor;
• Compressed gas containers unless required for medical device use;
• Sporting equipment;
• Musical instruments or any other items designed to make artificial noise;
• Any item deemed by security as having the potential to inflict or cause physical harm; and
• Any item deemed by security as having the potential to cause a disturbance in the Courthouse.