Rising Threats, More Security Efforts for Federal Judges

Judiciary

Rising Threats, More Security Efforts for Federal Judges

Posted Mar 10, 2008, 10:38 am CST
By Martha Neil

A rapid rise in the number of threatening comments made concerning federal judges and prosecutors is prompting enhanced security efforts.

Among them: The U.S. Marshals Service now plans to monitor, as possible threats to the judiciary, individuals whose conduct to state and local government officials has raised red flags, reports ABC News. However, a comprehensive national database is still needed.

The network says there has been a 69 percent increase since 2003 in reported threatening comments concerning judges and prosecutors. A disgruntled litigant's murder in 2005 of the husband and mother of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow, at her Chicago home, also caused increased concern about the safety of the judiciary and led to enhanced security efforts.

"There seems to be a feeling of defiance toward many institutions that formerly were considered out of bounds. People are more brazen today," says U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson. He is a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States's security committee.

Previous coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "After Murders, Judge Seeks ‘Resurrections’ "

ABA Journal: "Keeping It Safe"

International Herald Tribune: "DNA links man to killing of judge's family"

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