Security
Ideas Away From the Courthouse for Judges, Spouses, and Family (cont)
Service Calls
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Always verifying the legitimacy and reputation of individuals performing any work at your residence.
- Always requiring credentials
from individuals performing work at your home.
Ways
of Handling Threats
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Reporting any threats. Studies suggest some people making threats are trying to get attention and will escalate their activities if not regarded. Law enforcement officials are equipped to discern the difference between mere ventilation and a true concern.
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Taking self-defense courses.
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Assigning divorce and custody cases to mediation. Litigants who reach their own conclusions on family money and custody tend not to retaliate against the judge or the judge’s family.
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Leaving the children with someone you trust for a few days.
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Using telephone “caller identification” or asking the telephone company or law enforcement to have suspicious calls traced.
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Questioning whether attempts to assassinate prominent figures such as the President correlate with threats. Visiting http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij, the National Institute of Justice website to obtain an electronic version of Protective Intelligence and Threat Assessment Investigations or calling (800) 851-3420
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Not sounding intimidated. One spouse responds to telephone threats with humor: “I don’t take that type of call here at home, you’ll have to call the office at 999-9999.”
- Acting like you’re crazy if someone who seems to want to harm you approaches you.
Information Management
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Having an unlisted or unpublished telephone number and address.
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If you must put the telephone number in the telephone book, excluding the address.
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Having all bills and credit card accounts sent to the office or a post office box.
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Avoiding use of the title “Judge” on your personal checks, credit cards, airline tickets, etc.
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Requesting that your name not be included in the city directory.
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Asking federal census takers to exclude your social security number and other relevant information from published lists.
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Avoiding use of the home address on driver’s license, checkbook, return address, and telephone book. Some use a post office box or office address.
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Shredding identifying or personal papers.
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Removing any mailing labels containing your name and home address from subscription magazines before taking them to the courthouse
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Not displaying photographs of your family in your office where visitors can see them, but turning them towards you.
Public Contact
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Not putting your child’s name on personal clothing.
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Avoiding becoming intoxicated in public places, therefore becoming vulnerable.
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Avoiding wearing shirts or caps that identify you as a judge when you’re out in public. “Have Gavel will Travel,” “Take The Law Into Your Own Hands, Hug A Judge,” “Here Comes The Judge,” etc. are all right for around the house or while attending judicial seminars, but may be too risky elsewhere.