Entering the Buildings:

As you enter any of the St. Louis County court buildings you will be required to pass through a security checkpoint. No exceptions will be allowed. People with disabilities will need to speak to the security staff for the necessary accommodations.

The security checkpoint for all 3 buildings is very similar to airport security checkpoints in that you will be required to place any hand carried items (i.e., purses, briefcases, packages, lunch boxes, umbrellas, etc.) on the black conveyor belt of the x-ray machine. You will also be required to empty your pockets of any metal items (e.g. keys, pens, loose change, cigarette packs, foil wrapped items, wallets, pagers, cell phones) into a plastic basket available at the checkpoint. You will place the plastic basket of items from your pockets on the black conveyor belt.

As you pass through the metal detector do not touch the sides of the metal detector. If the metal detector beeps, you will be asked to step back and check your pockets again. In some instances you may be requested to remove articles of clothing, such as a belt, steel-toed boots, jacket or coat and place them on the black conveyor belt.

No weapons of any kind will be allowed in the Courts Building, Justice Center or Family Court. Examples include: mace, pocket knives of any length, scissors, unauthorized tools, or any other item that could be used as a weapon. There are no storage facilities for such items and security staff is not allowed to hold personal items. If you have such items with you, you will be instructed to take the items out of the building and you will not be allowed through the security checkpoint until you no longer have these items on your person. Therefore, please do not bring such items with you!

If you leave the secure area of any building at any time, you will be required to repeat this procedure every time you reenter the secure area of the building.

Following the steps above, will assist in completing the process in a quick and efficient manner.


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Courts Building:

After you have passed through the security checkpoint, proceed up the escalator. The elevators to the upper floors are located on the South end of the 1st floor (often called the Plaza level).

On the 1st floor, there is another escalator that can take you to the 2nd floor. You will find the escalator to the 2nd floor at the North end of the 1st floor hall.

Also on the 1st floor is the sky bridge to the Justice Center. As you step off the escalator from the security checkpoint, you will turn left and follow the hall across the sky bridge to the Justice Center.


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Justice Center:

After you have passed through the security checkpoint, proceed to the elevators on your left.

The Justice Center courtrooms and waiting area are on the 3rd floor.


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Family Court Center:

After you have passed through the security checkpoint, proceed to the elevators on your left if your hearing or appointment is on the third floor. A receptionist will be available when you get off the elevator to direct you.

If your destination is the Juvenile Detention Center on the second floor, proceed from the security checkpoint to the stairs on your right.

If your hearing or appointment is on the first floor, consult with the receptionist located in the first floor lobby.

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Conduct:

Cameras are not allowed in any of the buildings (except for marriage ceremonies performed on Wednesdays in the Courts Building.) See http://stlouisco.com/circuitcourt/marriages.html

No food or drink is allowed in the courtrooms.

No cell phones or audible pagers are allowed in the courtrooms.

Conversations should be conducted outside the courtrooms.

Loud conversations are not acceptable at any time in any building.

There are no public vending machines located in the Courts Building or the Justice Center.

No food or drinks are allowed in the Justice Center.

There are public vending machines on the third floor of the Family Court Center.

There is a delicatessen on the P2 level of the Courts Building. You will be leaving the secure area of the building to visit the delicatessen.


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