Kent County Courthouse

Courthouse Security

The entrances to the 82 Ionia Avenue Courthouse and 180 Ottawa Avenue Courthouse are monitored by security equipment and security personnel.

The following items may not be brought into the buildings: guns, knives (including small pocket knives), razors, scissors, box cutters, any type of spray, and food/beverages (except for identified jurors and staff). All packages may be inspected. Dangerous or illegal objects may be seized.

Litigants should arrive early for court proceedings to allow time for security measures.

The following items are prohibited in the courtrooms:

  • weapons of any sort
  • electronic equipment (unless approved by the court)
  • inappropriate attire, such as t-shirts with swear words, depicting violence or sexual acts, promoting drug or alcohol use; hats (except those worn for religious purposes)
  • food, beverages, chewing gum, tobacco
  • newspapers
  • children making noise.

Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Security staff may remove offenders from the building and judges may hold violators in contempt of court.

Cell Phones and Pagers:

Cell phones and pagers must be placed in the silent mode, unless otherwise instructed at entry to the courthouse. Use of cell phones and pagers is not allowed in the courtrooms or hearing rooms. Use of cell phones and pagers in other areas of the courthouse is permitted unless a restriction notice is posted. Users should exercise discretion in their conversations being held in a public environment.