2017 Annual Report

ICOURT SERVICES
When court is not in session, deputies assigned to court
security assist in serving civil judicial documents. Court
Services is also responsible for collecting unpaid business,
property, and personal taxes. This also extends to seizures
mandated by court order. Court Services is directed to
remove people from their residences after the court has
returned possession of property to the landlord or mortgage
company. These deputies may also have to remove children
from parents or custodial guardians in certain custody cases.
Warrants deputies are assigned to locate wanted individuals for
whom the Court has issued criminal warrants. In addition to
arrest warrants, warrants deputies serve all orders of
protections.
The Sheriff’s Office provides court security for court operations
at the Blount County Justice Center as well as
Juvenile court proceedings at the Courthouse. They are
responsible for security of the Justice Center and the
courtrooms, as well as security of jurors and prisoners who
are brought to and from the courtrooms. They are also
responsible for keeping up with thousands of criminal
and civil process papers. In 2017, Court Services entered
14,617 civil warrants compared to 14,493 in 2016, and
6,631 criminal warrants, compared to 5,275 in 2016. Court
services covered a total of 1,536 court sessions in 2017.
Court Services provides security for the Courts and the Justice
Center and Courthouse. Every person who enters the Justice
Center and Juvenile Court must pass through a metal detector,
and all purses, packages, and briefcases are reviewed through
an X-ray scanner. Firearms, knives, chemical spray, cell phones, and other electronic devices are
prohibited in the facility.
Court Services also assists citizens serving as jurors. They are responsible for providing protection
and transportation for sequestered jurors.
New in 2017, all court services personnel were issued ear pieces for their radios for privacy, making
their jobs safer.
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