Courthouses and Jury Duty

D

Danzz

Joined
Oct 14, 2004
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Ok, this week I have been volunteered for jury duty here in Boston. As I understand it I am not allowed to bring a knife into the courthouse, correct? Am I allowed to carry one on the way there, and leave it at the front desk or something?

The reason I am asking this is that I don't drive in Boston so I can't leave my knife in the car, and this would be the first time I've gone out in public without a knife in the last 6 or seven years, its like my wallet, keys, shoes, etc, so I'm a little reluctant to just leave it at home for the entire day.
 
Can't tell you specifically about Boston, but the Chicago area has the same restrictions (not just the city, but the various courthouses in and around)...

...and my advice is to leave it at home, safe. Like the airport, the only place up front where you can leave it is a collection basket, and it won't be returned to you.

In fact, most of the courthouses around here make a big deal annually of photographing all the weapons they've confiscated. Sure, there's the usual TEC9 or Ingram Mac 11, but there's always a big laundry basket full of knives, most of which would be perfectly legal otherwise to carry in a pocket.

I can tell you from my own experiences that a court building is one of the more creepy places--not inside so much, but that long walk from the parking lot to the security line makes you realize that about a third of the people walking around with you probably are criminals.

And that walk at night is even creepier, because anybody could be waiting outside for the jury. And the minute you step outside, you're out of their protection entirely.

Good luck, but don't be overly worried. Once inside, you won't have time to worry about it. You'll be too busy.

Tell your brother I said hey. Some of us miss him around here.
 
Leave it at home. Its not worth the hassle. The best that would happen is that they would take it and not give it back. Most courthouses at least that I've been to don't have a place to keep stuff like that.

You could carry a knife with you, bring a stamped mailer and mail it home to yourself when you get to court, then buy a new one for the trip home :p (anything to justify a new knife)
 
I would not bring anything that can remotely be thought of as a weapon. I got grief for brining in my mini maglight. They made me go through the metal detector three times.
 
I had jury duty a while back, and I took care to remember to not bring anything that'd be construed as a potential weapon. The last time I was there I had to leave something at the security desk - my 3/4/5mm allen wrenches I carry for my bike. WTF? :confused:

Anyway, this last time, I run my backpack through the metal detector, and the guy asks "what's this"? I look at the X-ray and say "those are my pen/pencil". He says "no, these are the pen and pencil". I look again, and I see my Benchmade 43A in black and white. Whoops!

All that happened was I left it in an envelope, got a ticketstub, and picked it up again at the end of the day, same as my allen wrenches the time before. I freakin' love Arizona.

I don't know that I'd try this in any other state, especially one so paranoid (2.5" blade length max?) as Mass. Leave everything at home or in the car. It'll feel weird, but you can last the day or two.
 
In San Antonio, Texas I have been to the courthouse for jury duty. Left my Spyderco Endura, a VicSAK Champ and a Buck 110 (on different occasions) with the officers at the door. Pretty much as with Planterz. Claim ticket. No hassles. I hand them the knife and ask for the ticket before they have a chance to remark or tell me I cannot take it into the building. I have had the same experience at the Fed Courthouse and the INS buildings. I now live in Comal County and do my duty and vote in New Braunfels, Texas where I wear my SAK openly.... I am 'profiled' as a good ol' boy and play the part so I get no problems.
 
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