According to a law group, since 2019, the number of threats against judges has more than doubled.
Letcher County Sheriff Shawn “Mickey” Stines has been accused of shooting Mullins multiple times after an argument at the courthouse. Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene. Stines has been charged with first-degree murder.
According to the American Bar Association, credible threats against judges have skyrocketed, from 175 cases in 2019 to 500 by 2023.
Judges face more and more threats. Violence has become more common when defendants disagree with court rulings. “Most jurisdictions are not equipped to deal with these mounting threats,” Belvin Perry, former chief judge for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit who received death threats during his tenure as the judge in the Casey Anthony trial, said.
Each court will evaluate your home to ensure its safety. You’ll be told to prepare for the worst and make plans for your family. “Those are the realities that every judge has to face,” Perry said.
“I’ve sometimes had 24-hour security in my home because of death threats. When I wasn’t home, I kept a German Shepherd canine that was highly trained at home. My wife was required to attend shooting classes.”
Each court will evaluate your home to ensure its safety. You’ll be told to prepare for the worst and make plans for your family. “Those are the realities that every judge has to face,” Perry said.
Andrew Wilkerson was killed last year in his driveway after he ruled in a custody case.
Esther Salas, a federal judge in New Jersey, started the Daniel Anderl Protection Project in 2020 after her son of 20 years was killed in a racially motivated attack that was meant for her. The gunman disguised himself as a delivery man and killed Daniel Anderl, killing Salas’ husband Mark Anderl.
Esther Salas said, “In my opinion, all states and territories in the United States need to have laws that protect judges and are aimed at judicial safety.” “New Jersey is one of the few states that has addressed the issue of judicial security directly. My hope and prayer for the future is that other states will follow New Jersey and follow federal legislation to create their laws that directly target the judiciary.”
The U.S. Senate approved the bipartisan Counter Threats and Assaults on Judges Act in June. This act would provide federal funding to state and local courts’ security.
In a press release, Sen. Chris Coons (a Delaware Democrat) said that the increased polarization has led to an increase in threats and attacks against judges, which endangers our justice system’s independence.
Perry stated that violence against the judiciary, although on the rise is not a recent phenomenon.
Perry narrowly avoided a gunman in 1984 who opened fire at Florida’s Orange County Courthouse.
Thomas Provenzano shot dead Deputy Sherriff William Arnold Wilkerson, 60, and left Harry Dalton, Deputy Sherriff, with brain injuries and injuries which led to his early death several years later. Officer Mark Lindsey Parker was permanently paralyzed.
Perry stated that violence against the judiciary, although on the rise is not a recent phenomenon.
According to Officer Down Memorial Page, Provenzano was charged with disorderly conduct five months prior and had intended to shoot the police officer who charged him. He was executed by electric chair in June of 2020.
Perry claimed that he stepped out of the hall where Provenzano fired just moments before gunshots were heard.
Perry said, “Unfortunately we see violence as an ever-present factor in the lives of judges.”
He said that the “million dollar question” is how to combat the problem. However, he added that improved security at courthouses could help.
Perry said: “It is tragic that a judge in Kentucky was killed, despite a security system being in place. The sheriff had the responsibility of providing security.”
