Third Branch eNews

The Safety and Security Spotlight is a monthly feature highlighting practical safety and security guidance for court staff statewide. This month’s spotlight focuses on the growing risk of unauthorized recording in and around courthouses and is provided by the Wisconsin State Capitol Police Court Protection Unit.

Advances in consumer technology are changing how easily audio and video can be captured in public and semi-public spaces. Devices such as smart glasses, including products from Meta and Ray-Ban, allow users to record interactions in real time with few visible cues. At the same time, artificial intelligence tools can quickly transcribe, edit, and distribute recordings within minutes.

For judges and court staff, this means recording may occur in places where it was once unlikely or easier to detect. Courtrooms remain the most obvious concern, but hallways, elevators, entrances, and parking areas also present potential exposure. Brief or informal conversations in these spaces may be captured and shared without notice.

Maintaining awareness of this evolving risk is an important part of courthouse safety and professionalism. The following practices can help reduce exposure and reinforce appropriate boundaries:

• Assume interactions may be recorded. Conduct all conversations with the expectation they could be shared.
• Reinforce courtroom policies. Clear signage and staff awareness remain essential as technology evolves.
• Address the device, not the individual. Maintain a neutral, professional tone when enforcing rules. For example: “Recording devices are not permitted. Please remove or disable that device.”
• Stay attentive in transitional spaces. Areas such as hallways, entrances, and parking lots present increased risk.
• Utilize available resources. The Capitol Police Court Protection Unit can assist with security assessments and threat awareness.

Recording is no longer always visible or obvious. Consistent awareness and professional responses help protect both court personnel and the integrity of court proceedings.