AUSTIN, Texas — Threats to judges are increasing exponentially here in Texas and across the nation, according to the Texas Court Security Division. That's why one Texas lawmaker is looking at how to boost protection for judges and the courts.
This June, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)’s "Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act" passed in the Senate. The law would create a State Judicial Threat Intelligence and Resource Center to research best practices for judicial safety and provide physical security assessments for courts, home and other places with court-related business.
“We can't have judges and court personnel living in fear. And as you heard, not just fear for themselves, but fear for the safety of their families as well,” Cornyn said.
Cornyn was joined by other Texas leaders in Austin on Thursday afternoon for a roundtable discussion about the increasing threats to judges and the court’s safety.
Among those at the roundtable was Travis County District Judge Julie Kocurek, who was ambushed and attacked outside her home back in 2015 by a defendant who was in her court. Kocurek’s son, Will, also had a seat at the roundtable and recounted the terrifying moments when he had to intervene after his mom was shot at four times in their driveway and almost died.
“I hope that by recounting this horrific experience, it will contribute to making other judges safer and prevent them and their families from facing similar violence,” Will Kocurek said.
Back in 2017, Texas lawmakers passed Senate Bill 42, also known as the "Judge Julie Kocurek Judicial and Courthouse Security Act," to add more security measures for judges and court personnel. That law made security changes like authorizing police officers to provide personal security to a judge and changes to statutes impacting judges' and their spouses' personal security and safety.
“I soon realized that although my attack seemed very personal, it was not about me,” Julie Kocurek said. “This was an attack on our justice system and on the rule of law, and I needed to return to the bench to show that justice will prevail over violence.”
According to data from the Texas Court Security Division – which collects statewide information on threats to judges – just this past year, threats to judges increased 125%. They've increased 400% since 2015. From 2018 to 2023, data also showed that there were 522 general threats, 29 assaults and 68 bomb threats made toward judicial officers.
Cornyn said that state law is now the model for federal legislation like his new bill. The bill was also one of Texas Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee’s last bills she was working on before she passed away in July.
Now Cornyn is hoping to get the support of more representatives who’ve had experience in the court system, like Texas Congressmen Lloyd Doggett and Michael McCaul, to support his bill in the U.S. House.