Judges order the sheriff to fix “systemic failures” in courthouse security within 90 days

The Administrative Governing Board of the First Judicial District — the panel of judges that oversees Philadelphia court operations — issued an order finding that “the proper administration of justice in the Courts of the First Judicial District has been — and will continue to be — threatened due to the Philadelphia Sheriff Office’s systemic failures to properly staff courtrooms and court facilities.”

The order gave Bilal 90 days to resolve the problems and 30 days to submit a corrective action plan. It required the office to address prisoner-transportation failures, to place at least one deputy in every criminal, family, and traffic courtroom, and to add security at less-sensitive court facilities.

“The emotional cost to victims’ and defendants’ families waiting for hours for their opportunities to give victim impact testimony or address the court is unquantifiable,” Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott said.