What to expect when visiting the Courthouses in the Tenth Judicial Circuit
Polk County
The public entrance into the Polk County courthouse is located on West Church Street (North side) in Bartow, Florida. Near the building entrance are security stations staffed by court security officers. You can expect the court security officers to check the contents of your hand bags and briefcases by passing them through X-ray instruments. You will then be directed to pass through magnetometers (walk-through metal detectors). Hand held metal detectors are also used at the security stations. You will be asked to empty your pockets and remove your belt prior to passing through the magnetometer. If you have a pacemaker, please tell a court security officer about it before you enter the metal detector.
Weapons are prohibited in all court facilities. This includes firearms of any type as well as knives or any other item that could be used as a weapon. Should you have prohibited items on your person or in the items you brought with you, they will be identified in the screening process described above. The security screening process may create long lines of people waiting to enter the courthouse during peak hours, so please plan to arrive early to clear security.
For more information on courthouse security in the Polk County Courthouse, please call 863 534-4055.
Hardee and Highlands Counties
The public entrance into the Highlands County courthouse is located on South Commerce Avenue in Sebring, Florida. In Hardee County, the public entrance into the courthouse is located on 417 West Main Street.
Near each building’s entrance are security stations staffed by court security officers. You can expect the court security officers to check the contents of your hand bags and briefcases by passing them through X-ray instruments. You will then be directed to pass through magnetometers (walk-through metal detectors). Hand held metal detectors are also used at the security stations. You will be asked to empty your pockets prior to passing through the magnetometer. If you have a pacemaker, please tell a court security officer about it before you enter the metal detector.
Weapons are prohibited in all court facilities. This includes firearms of any type as well as knives or any other item that could be used as a weapon. Should you have prohibited items on your person or in the items you brought with you, they will be identified in the screening process described above. The security screening process may create long lines of people waiting to enter the courthouse during peak hours, so please plan to arrive early to clear security.
For more information on courthouse security, please call 863 402-7376 for the Highlands County Courthouse and 863 773-0304 ext. 223 for the Hardee County Courthouse.
