Courtrooms

[spectre]

A friend says it's illegal to carry a pocket knife in a courtroom. I know we're not allowed to carry our handguns or location-restricted knives in a courtroom. (TX Penal § 46.03) However, I can't find anything in the penal code that prohibits shorter (not location-restricted) knives in a courtroom. Logically, a prohibition on a specific category of knife in courtrooms implies that other knives aren't prohibited.

[warnmar10]

[spectre]

Not if I don't get caught.

[jonmo1]

I can’t quote a law, but They wouldn't let me into Jury Duty with a 2.75” pocket knife. It was a lockback, maybe that was a difference.

[spectre]

I can’t quote a law, but They wouldn't let me into Jury Duty with a 2.75” pocket knife. It was a lockback, maybe that was a difference.

I think that's the root of the misunderstanding. They are enforcing a policy but that doesn't mean their policy has the force of law. For example, a movie theater can have a policy prohibiting people from bringing in food and drink, and they can take action if they observe somebody violating their policy, including telling them to leave. However, I don't think that policy makes it illegal to have a granola bar concealed in my pocket.

[ELB]

Judges write their own rules and claim legal force. It will take a specific act of the legislature to make them do otherwise.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Someone I know has been granted access to the Nacogdoches County and Travis County
courthouses while wearing a chain wallet.

Denton County courthouse LEO's would not allow that, so he had to go back to his car and disarm, I mean dis-chain??? :-)

SIA

[Keith B]

It's in 46.03, but it is a 'location-restricted knife'

Sec. 46.03. PLACES WEAPONS PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly possesses or goes with a firearm, location-restricted knife, club, or prohibited weapon listed in Section 46.05(a):
...........

(3) on the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless pursuant to written regulations or written authorization of the court;

Sec. 46.01. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
.........
(6) "Location-restricted knife" means a knife with a blade over five and one-half inches.

(7) "Knife" means any bladed hand instrument that is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death by cutting or stabbing a person with the instrument.

So, while they are prohibiting all 'weapons', the law would only be broken if it was a 'location-restricted' knife.

[bigtek]

It's like driving while black. It's not actually illegal but they can make trouble for you anyway.

[J Wilson]

Probably they will find it when you go thru the metal detectors and you empty your pockets.Friend of mine got sent back to his car for a Leatherman Tool.