Federal officials blame most of the threats on irritated defendants whose anger is fueled by “the internet; terrorism and gang cases; frustration at the economic crisis; and a rise of the ‘sovereign citizen’ movement, a loose collection of tax protesters, white supremacists and others who don’t respect federal authority.”

 

Some judges are receiving 24-hour protection from armed U.S. Marshals, while others have taken matters into their own hands. Sibley Reynolds, who was threatened last year by the son of a defendant convicted of stealing about $3,000 from a humane shelter, carries a Colt automatic pistol under his robe. He has it with him at all times. Municipal court judge Michael Cicconetti of Painesville, Ohio, who received threats from a defendant plotting to blow up his house, has a stun gun within reach in the court room.

 

So far, although the threats have increased, attacks themselves have not. “We have to make sure every judge…can go to work every day,” said Michael Prout, assistant director of judicial security for the marshals. “It is the core of our civil liberties.”

- Jessica Giffin

 

Threats to Judges, Prosecutors Soaring (by Jerry Markon, Washington Post)