Court House Search Suit

An Owensboro lawyer has filed suit against the Daviess county sheriff. Attorney Bill Barber is questioning court-house security measures. Sheriff Keith Cain says hes just following orders. Court-house security is run-of-the-mill: Taking keys and change out of pockets and walking through metal detectors--just like at the airport. Everybody has to do it, or do they? At the Morton Holbrook judicial center, some folks are allowed to bypass these security measures. Bill barber says this is unsafe and unfair. "Some are given a badge or swipe card that allows them to bypass security in the building, there is no basis or criteria that I know, that Im aware of, for these people to obtain these passes." Barber is sueing the sheriffs department, but Keith Cain says hes just doing his job. "The policies are set by the chief justices and circuit court. Once they are signed we are charged with the responsibility to enforce those orders." So its up to the judges to decide who gets the passes and who doesnt. And barber has a problem with this system. "I question, one, the authority of circuit judges anywhere to lay down the law as to who gets into a county run building. They certainly have Guidlines for their own courtrooms and the immediate area around the courtroom, but this building also houses non-court related offices." Sheriff cain says he thinks this lawsuit is totally off-base. "Hes frustrated with the situation as it exists...Because we are enforcing our orders, hes elected to target us incorrectly as far as Im concerned, but it is well within his rights to do that." Barber says he thinks either no one should be exempt or there ought to be strict and public qualifications for those who are exempt. He suggests judges, lawyers, and maybe social workers should be able to sail through, but he says folks who arent officials should be checked out. Circuit judges are allowed to amend security measures at anytime. If and when they do, Sheriff Cain says his enforcement policies will change also.