The horror and tragedy of the assault and attempted murder of the husband of Judge Esther Salas and the murder of her son is of monumental significance for all judges, not just federal judges. In these volatile and dangerous times all judges and lawyers must be on their guard to protect themselves against actual and potential attacks. I am fortunate because my village has been supportive of my concerns. Through the Justice Court Assistance Program (JCAP) I have gotten a free metal detector, and my Village has hired security personnel to supervise entry into our courtroom. Judge Salas has called for ”national dialogue” on safeguarding the privacy of federal judges. Judge Salas is 100% correct, but we should do better than just talking. The Congress, state legislatures and judiciary should take immediate steps to provide additional security for all judges and their families.

A few years ago, I was threatened with an assault from a defendant who wound up murdering my client. The police installed a panic alarm in my house and I was able to carry an “alert” device with me at all times, and my local police precinct was placed on High Alert. Judges and lawyers must think about where they, their staff and their families are most vulnerable. The “new normal” requires a higher degree of self-awareness of security, safety and privacy.